The Big Ten Conference is bringing its first-ever postseason volleyball tournament to the Fishers Event Center, the league announced Thursday, April 16, 2026. The weeklong showdown is set for Nov. 20–25, 2026, wrapping with a championship match on Nov. 25 that turns Fishers into a fall destination for college volleyball fans from across the country.
According to the Big Ten Conference, the tournament will feature the top 15 teams in the regular-season standings. The bracket calls for three opening-round contests, followed by four second-round matchups, then quarterfinals and semifinals leading into the title match. Commissioner Tony Petitti said the league will now “determine its volleyball champion with a postseason tournament,” while Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley called the new format “a significant milestone” that gives student-athletes a bigger stage. The conference noted that one off day will be built into the weeklong schedule.
Fishers arena and local ties
Fishers Event Center, home to the professional Indy Ignite, opened in 2024 and lists a seating capacity of about 7,500, according to the venue’s official site. The arena’s online calendar already shows the Nov. 20–25 dates and links to a Big Ten presale sign-up, signaling that local organizers are deep into planning for ticketing and logistics for the multi-day event. The Fishers Event Center site lists the venue’s address as 11000 Stockdale Street in Fishers.
Format, schedule and tickets
Per the Big Ten Conference, the league will trim its regular-season slate from 20 to 17 matches and use a single round-robin format to make room for the new postseason tournament. Television designations and ticketing partners are still to be announced, and the conference is steering fans to sign up for presale information through its announcement. The same release also spotlights the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge and a Wrigley Field doubleheader as marquee dates on next season’s calendar.
Local context and what to expect
State and regional organizers have put a big emphasis on landing major collegiate championships as part of long-term sports-development goals, and Indiana Sports Corp presents that work as central to its 2050 Vision. The organization’s site highlights multiple upcoming championships and outlines efforts to attract events that boost tourism and community investment. Organizers say the Big Ten volleyball booking builds on the region’s track record of hosting conference and NCAA championships and should bring visitors, hotel stays and local spending to Fishers during the November tournament week.
