Bridgestone Arena to Host Second Annual "Broadway Block Party"
Tennessee's Lady Vols volleyball team is set to participate in the second annual Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party, an event featuring elite collegiate matchups. The team will face Indiana University on September 6th, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This marks the second consecutive year the Lady Vols will compete in the Nashville-based event.
The announcement, made on March 4th, 2026, positions Tennessee alongside other prominent programs like Indiana, Texas, and Louisville. The inaugural event last year drew a significant crowd of 11,200 attendees and achieved the highest viewership for a regular season college volleyball match on ESPN networks. Scott Ramsey, President and CEO of the Nashville Sports Council, expressed enthusiasm for elevating women's collegiate volleyball in "Music City."
Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale to the public on March 6th, 2026, via NashvilleSports.com/Broadway-Block-Party. The matchup between Tennessee and Indiana is slated to be broadcast on ESPN2, with a 3 p.m. ET start time.
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Notable Player Returns and Past Encounters
The Tennessee roster will include experienced players such as middle blocker Chelsea Sutton and outside hitter Mackenzie Plante. Plante notably had a career year during her junior campaign, setting personal bests in all major statistical categories. Sutton led the team in blocks with 116 last season, also contributing 215 kills.
Indiana University's participation in this event carries historical weight, as the Hoosiers defeated Tennessee in a five-set match (15-13) nearly 16 years prior, advancing to their first regional semifinal. This previous encounter between the two programs underscores a competitive history.
Event Details and Broader Context
The Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party, organized by ESPN Events in conjunction with the Nashville Sports Council, aims to showcase national collegiate volleyball talent. Last year's event featured teams including the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Purdue Boilermakers, and Illinois Fighting Illini. The inclusion of the Louisville Cardinals and Texas Longhorns in this year's doubleheader, opening the event on ABC, further signals the growing profile of this early-season showcase. The Nashville Sports Council highlights the event's role in demonstrating Nashville's commitment to promoting women's collegiate sports.
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