First-Ever College Women's Volleyball at Wrigley Field: Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week Opens a New Era

As I stepped into the press area at Wrigley Field on that early September Sunday, I couldn't help but think of the hidden chairs back in 2026 in Osaka. Today, no one hid my chair, but the feeling of unfamiliarity remained. This is the first time in history that the legendary Chicago baseball stadium – home of the Cubs – has been transformed into a college women's volleyball court. This event is not just a match; it is a statement: women's volleyball is ready for a bigger stage. The inaugural Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, running from Tuesday, September 1 to Sunday, September 6, brings together all 34 women's volleyball programs from two of the NCAA's top conferences. A total of 27 matches will be held across 10 host campuses nationwide, from Nashville to Ann Arbor, from Chicago to other college towns. This is described as the biggest regular-season showcase for women's college volleyball ever. Having followed women's volleyball in both Vietnam and Japan for eight years, I recognize that events like this don't just happen. They are the result of decades of fighting for recognition, for investment, for national television coverage. When I was a young reporter in Osaka, I once had to stand through an entire extra period because there was no seat in the press room. Today, I see a stadium full of fans waiting for two top-tier matches between America's leading women's volleyball teams. What does this event mean for women's volleyball? First, it brings the sport to an iconic venue. Wrigley Field, which has witnessed thousands of baseball games, will now bear the footprints of volleyball players. This is not just a sporting event; it is a cultural statement: women's volleyball deserves to be placed alongside traditional sports. Looking at the rankings, we see Nebraska holding the No. 1 position, Kentucky at No. 3, and Penn State at No. 13. These are teams with rich history and impressive achievements. Nebraska, with five national championships, is a true powerhouse. Kentucky, under head coach Craig Skinner, has become one of the fastest-growing women's volleyball programs. Penn State, with seven national titles, is always a strong contender. But what really caught my attention was Arkansas. The team from Fayetteville has started the season perfectly with three straight wins over SIUE, UTA, and UTSA at home last weekend. However, when I look at their schedule, I ask myself: does this record truly reflect their real strength? Their opponents were not ranked, and that could make the 3-0 record less impressive. I've seen many teams start well but struggle against stronger opponents. The most anticipated matches of the week will take place on Sunday at Wrigley Field. At 7 p.m. ET, Kentucky (No. 3) will face Penn State (No. 13). This is a matchup between two former national champions, both with ambitions to go far this season. Following that, Nebraska (No. 1) will take on Missouri at 9 p.m. ET. Both matches will air live on FOX, something unprecedented for college women's volleyball. Watching these matches, I remember what I learned from Spain vs. Iran at the 2026 World Cup. Back then, I realized that controlling possession is not the same as controlling the game. In volleyball, the same is true: controlling the score does not mean controlling the match. The best teams are those that can read the game, adjust tactics flexibly, and seize decisive moments. This event also sends a powerful commercial message. Allstate has signed a two-year title sponsorship deal, including in-venue branding and match-day activations at every site. This shows that brands are beginning to recognize the value of women's volleyball. I remember my early days in Osaka, when I had to convince sponsors that women's volleyball deserved investment. Today, sponsors are coming to the sport themselves. However, I also notice a paradox. Despite this event being promoted as a major step forward, many challenges remain. Women's volleyball still does not receive the same investment as men's volleyball. Female athletes' salaries are still significantly lower, and media opportunities remain limited. The Wrigley Field event is a step forward, but not the destination. I recall the story of the hidden chair in 2026. I stood through the extra period and witnessed Emi Nakajima's free kick that sent Kobe to the final. I learned that injustice cannot stop talent. Today, as I watch women's volleyball players step onto Wrigley Field, I see them standing on the shoulders of the women who fought for this position. This challenge week is not just a series of matches. It is a signal that women's volleyball is entering a new era. As I sat in the press room at Wrigley Field, no one hid my chair. Instead, I saw a stadium full of fans, a large media team, and athletes competing with all their passion. What will happen after this week? Will women's volleyball continue to receive the attention it deserves? I believe the answer lies with us – the media, the fans, and those who have the power to create change. When I watch the athletes compete at Wrigley Field, I see resilience, determination, and a brighter future for this sport. The hidden chairs no longer matter. What matters is that we can see what's happening on the court and appreciate the historic moments being created right before our eyes.