A first-of-its-kind women’s college volleyball showcase is coming to Arlington, featuring top programs, a $1 million prize pool and a primetime national broadcast.
ARLINGTON, Texas — A new women’s college volleyball showcase featuring some of the nation’s top programs, including SMU, will debut this summer at AT&T Stadium.
Full Day Productions and GSE Worldwide announced Tuesday the launch of “Spikes Under the Lights,” a single-night competition scheduled for Aug. 27 in Arlington.
The event will feature a $1 million prize pool — the largest ever awarded in women’s college sports — as Nebraska, Penn State, SMU and Florida compete in a high-stakes format that includes two semifinal matches followed by a championship final.
Organizers say the three-hour showcase will air live in primetime on a major national network, with broadcast details expected in the coming weeks. Designed for television, the competition will use a best-of-three set format.
“This showcase isn’t just about the competition on the court; it’s about building a property with real prize money, real stakes, and a reputation that compounds year over year. We believe that growth begins when you move from renting a seat at the table to building your own,” said Nickole Tara, Chief Business Officer, Words + Pictures & Full Day Productions.
The event is the first women’s college sporting event held at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and one of the first women’s events staged at an NFL venue.
Event organizers say the showcase reflects growing momentum in women’s college volleyball, which has seen increases in attendance, viewership and athlete visibility in recent years. The event is also expected to include additional entertainment elements and enhanced production features.
“When you bring together top programs, a national broadcast window on a major network, a meaningful financial incentive, and a venue like AT&T Stadium, you’re not just hosting an event, you’re helping enhance the future of women’s volleyball. This is exactly the type of owned live events we are focused on building as we continue to expand our platform,” said Jon Venison, Head of Productions at GSE Worldwide.
Ticket pre-sales began May 4 for suite holders, with additional pre-sales and public ticket availability May 7 and May 8.
“Spikes Under the Lights” is planned as an annual event.