May 8, 2026 - 9:30 am

UNLV’s volleyball team will get the chance to face five-time national champion Nebraska, while having the ability to earn name, image and likeness dollars, during the Players Era Volleyball Showcase this August.

The event, scheduled for Aug. 29-30 at T-Mobile Arena, will see UNLV play Nebraska on Day 1 and TCU on Day 2, the promoters announced Friday. The other matches include Texas against TCU on Day 1 and Nebraska versus Texas in a rematch of the 2023 NCAA title game on Day 2.

The event is similar to the Players Era college basketball tournament held each year in Las Vegas, giving student athletes the ability to earn NIL money by participating in various events during the week of the showcase.

“NCAA women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with record ratings and surging attendance, and we’re thrilled to have some of the biggest programs in the sport headlining our first-ever volleyball event as we expand beyond college hoops to create more amazing events for players, coaches and fans,” Players Era CEO Seth Berger said in a statement.

UNLV coach Malia Shoji said they are honored to be included in the field as the local university and are excited to compete coming off a strong spring season.

“This group is eager for the opportunity to test itself against some of the best programs in the country,” Shoji said. “Volleyball’s incredible rise in popularity aligns perfectly with Las Vegas’ emergence as a global sports destination. Bringing those two together is going to create a special atmosphere and an event fans won’t want to miss.”

Nebraska volleyball went undefeated during the regular season last year. However, Nebraska fell in five sets in a regional final that became the most-watched regional final in NCAA history, drawing 1.6 million viewers at its peak.

In 2023, Nebraska set the record for attendance at a women’s sports event, drawing 92,003 fans to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for its match against Omaha.

“Playing in the first volleyball Players Era event is an exciting opportunity for our program,” Nebraska coach Dani Busboom Kelly said in a statement. “Nebraska wants to be at the forefront of new events and opportunities for our players and our sport. Having the opportunity to face our long-standing rival, Texas, is the icing on the cake. Not only will Vegas be an amazing location to start our season, playing UNLV and Texas will set a tone from the beginning.”

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.