Full Breakdown
Spikes Under the Lights: Inaugural $1 Million Women’s College Volleyball Showcase at AT&T Stadium
8/28/2026, 2:23:07 AM
Event Overview
Four top-ranked programs—Nebraska (No. 1), Florida (No. 17), Penn State (No. 10) and SMU (No. 11)—will compete in a one-night exhibition at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The format features two opening best-of-three-set matches, with the winners meeting in a best-of-three championship. Each school receives a $200,000 appearance fee; the champion earns $150,000 and the runner-up $50,000, for a $1 million prize pool. The matches are exhibitions and do not affect NCAA records. Broadcast rights belong to TNT Sports, with simultaneous distribution on truTV and HBO Max.
Background & Context
This is the first women’s collegiate volleyball competition staged inside an NFL venue, expanding the sport’s visibility. Organizers cite the 2023 Nebraska showcase that drew 92,003 fans as a catalyst for a larger stage.
Key Figures & Groups
- Andi Jackson – senior middle blocker, Nebraska.
- Harper Murray – senior outside hitter, Nebraska.
- Matt Kwok – founder/president, Kwokman Productions.
- Dani Busboom Kelly – head coach, Nebraska.
- Ryan Theis – head coach, Florida.
- Kennedy Martin – outside hitter, Penn State.
- Sam Erger – head coach, SMU.
Data & Statistics
- Prize structure: $200,000 per team; $150,000 champion; $50,000 runner-up.
- Team rankings: Nebraska No. 1, Florida No. 17, Penn State No. 10, SMU No. 11.
- Venue dimensions: Volleyball court 59 ft × 29½ ft; AT&T Stadium ~3 million sq ft interior.
- Recent performance: Nebraska’s 2025 season ended with an Elite Eight loss; SMU’s 2025 Sweet 16 run tied a program record with 27 wins.
Official Statements & Responses
Organizers say the production balances intimacy with stadium grandeur. Nebraska coach Busboom Kelly noted the exhibition format lets the Huskers experiment with line-ups, adding, “you’re out there to win.” Harper Murray said, “Coming into our freshman year four years ago, you wouldn’t think we were going to play in the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.”
Production Details (On-the-Ground Report)
Kwokman Productions deployed five hard-cameras, sixteen POV units, SkyCam, a gimbal and three robotic cameras, plus scissor lifts and scaffolding for optimal angles. RF microphones captured on-court communication from referees, coaches and athletes, and graphics were aligned with TNT Sports’ visual standards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We want the coverage of the sport to be intimate,” — Matt Kwok, Kwokman Productions
- “We have RF mics on the refs, on the coaches, on the athletes all around the venue,” — Matt Kwok
What’s Next
No further events or scheduled follow-ups have been announced beyond the Thursday night tournament.
