Cardinals Chosen to Compete Second Annual Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party
March 04, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
UofL will face Texas in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Sports Council and ESPN Events today announced the Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party women's college volleyball event will return to Nashville,Tenn.'s Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, Sept.6,2026.The event will feature four elite programs from the SEC, ACC and Big Ten in a doubleheader, broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN2.
 "After the success of last year's event, we're thrilled to collaborate again with ESPN Events and Sprouts Farmers Market to deliver a doubleheader with elite competition from across the nation," said Scott Ramsey,President and CEO of the Nashville Sports Council. "This event highlights Music City's commitment to elevating women's collegiate volleyball on both a local and national stage."
The first matchup will showcase the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Texas Longhorns on ABC at noon ET. As they begin their third SEC season, the Longhorns will continue to compete under longtime head coach Jerritt Elliott, who has led the program to three NCAA national championships during his tenure.The Cardinals will be led by second-year head coach Dan Meske, who has helped lead the Cardinals to three Final Four appearances and two title matches since joining the staff in 2017.
In the second volleyball matchup, the University of Tennessee Lady Vols will face the Indiana University Hoosiers on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. ET. In 2025, under the leadership of Eve Rackham Watt, the program's third-winningest head coach, the Lady Vols earned their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.This marks Tennessee's second time in the Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party. Head coach Steve Aird led the Hoosiers to the best season in program history in 2025, breaking their single-season NCAA-era record for wins (25).
"The Sprouts Farmers MarketBroadway Block Party continues to blend the very best of the sport of volleyball with a fun and exciting location," said Clint Overby, ESPN Vice President of Events. "We are excited to host Louisville, Texas, Tennessee and Indiana in this key early-season event."
Last year's inaugural event drew 11,200 attendees to Bridgestone Arena for the venue's first women's collegiate volleyball event, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Purdue Boilermakers and Illinois Fighting Illini each earning match victories.The inaugural event delivered ESPN networks' most-watched regular season college volleyball match ever, with Nebraska vs. Kentucky averaging 1.2 million viewers on ABC.This year's attendees can expect a variety of interactive fan experiences to be announced. In 2025, activations included Sprouts Farmers Market custom photo tattoos, Tennessee Titans virtual reality tours of the new Nissan Stadium and more.
Members of the Nashville Sports Council and previous buyers receive exclusive presale access to this event from March 4–5. Not a member? Sign up today atNashvilleSports.com/Membership.
Tickets go on sale to the public on March 6 at NashvilleSports.com/Broadway-Block-Party
 "After the success of last year's event, we're thrilled to collaborate again with ESPN Events and Sprouts Farmers Market to deliver a doubleheader with elite competition from across the nation," said Scott Ramsey,President and CEO of the Nashville Sports Council. "This event highlights Music City's commitment to elevating women's collegiate volleyball on both a local and national stage."
The first matchup will showcase the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Texas Longhorns on ABC at noon ET. As they begin their third SEC season, the Longhorns will continue to compete under longtime head coach Jerritt Elliott, who has led the program to three NCAA national championships during his tenure.The Cardinals will be led by second-year head coach Dan Meske, who has helped lead the Cardinals to three Final Four appearances and two title matches since joining the staff in 2017.
In the second volleyball matchup, the University of Tennessee Lady Vols will face the Indiana University Hoosiers on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. ET. In 2025, under the leadership of Eve Rackham Watt, the program's third-winningest head coach, the Lady Vols earned their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.This marks Tennessee's second time in the Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party. Head coach Steve Aird led the Hoosiers to the best season in program history in 2025, breaking their single-season NCAA-era record for wins (25).
"The Sprouts Farmers MarketBroadway Block Party continues to blend the very best of the sport of volleyball with a fun and exciting location," said Clint Overby, ESPN Vice President of Events. "We are excited to host Louisville, Texas, Tennessee and Indiana in this key early-season event."
Last year's inaugural event drew 11,200 attendees to Bridgestone Arena for the venue's first women's collegiate volleyball event, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Purdue Boilermakers and Illinois Fighting Illini each earning match victories.The inaugural event delivered ESPN networks' most-watched regular season college volleyball match ever, with Nebraska vs. Kentucky averaging 1.2 million viewers on ABC.This year's attendees can expect a variety of interactive fan experiences to be announced. In 2025, activations included Sprouts Farmers Market custom photo tattoos, Tennessee Titans virtual reality tours of the new Nissan Stadium and more.
Members of the Nashville Sports Council and previous buyers receive exclusive presale access to this event from March 4–5. Not a member? Sign up today atNashvilleSports.com/Membership.
Tickets go on sale to the public on March 6 at NashvilleSports.com/Broadway-Block-Party
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