The volleyball world isn’t waiting for the NCAA season to crank up—it’s already buzzing with action, and the party vibes are off the charts! The previous season was quite unpredictable with the final match between Louisville and Penn State where the latter emerged out as the winner and enjoyed the taste of victory. However, the two teams that dominated the entire season, Nebraska and Pittsburgh, were left on the bench to watch the finals instead of participating in it. But 2025? Oh, it’s got redemption written all over it! Huskers and Pitt are both eager for a comeback and as the NCAA season approaches in the fall, the excitement is at an all-time high.

But who said we got to wait until fall for the fun to begin? Indeed, volleyball does not take a break and the pre-season is already heating up—this time with ESPN’s Broadway Block Party. Yeah, you read that right—volleyball and Broadway, a match made in sports-and-entertainment heaven! With big names, electrifying matchups, and a spotlight brighter than ever, this event is bringing the energy straight to the streets before the NCAA madness officially begins. So, what’s the hype all about?

ESPN PR just lit up X with some major volleyball news, and let’s just say, the hype is real! On March 4, they hit us with a game-changing announcement, revealing, “@ESPNEvents announces inaugural ‘Broadway Block Party’ – women’s college volleyball tripleheader in Nashville. (On) Sunday, August 31 (At) Bridgestone Arena (Teams) Nebraska-Kentucky, Purdue-Tennessee, Illinois-Vanderbilt” Yeah, you heard that right—a volleyball showdown right in the heart of Music City, blending epic matchups with Broadway energy.

The Nashville Sports Council and ESPN Events shocked everyone by announcing that the first-ever Broadway Block Party women’s college volleyball event will take place at Bridgestone Arena on August 31, 2025, and it is going to be epic. This is the first time that the women’s collegiate volleyball tournament will be held in this venue with one ticket giving fans access to all three matches.

Scott Ramsey, the big boss at the Nashville Sports Council, couldn’t be enthusiastic, stating that. “We are extremely excited to showcase some of the most elite volleyball athletes in the country.” And with the SEC, Big Ten, and ESPN backing Broadway Block Party? Yeah, it’s already a must-watch moment in the making. Now, let’s talk matchups—because this lineup is stacked! Nebraska and Kentucky face each other in the opening match-up with the Huskers coming in with five national championships and a new head coach in Dani Busboom Kelly, and the Wildcats entering the season as the defending SEC champions with transfer Eva Hudson.

That showdown? Nationally broadcast on ABC. Up next, it’s Purdue vs. Tennessee, two teams with NCAA tournament streaks and unfinished business. And for the grand finale? Illinois vs. Vanderbilt, where the Illinnois bring their deep tournament experience, while Vanderbelt makes history with its first-ever season as a Division I team—broadcast on SEC Network. With Nashville’s sports scene on fire and ESPN rolling out the red carpet, this Labor Day Weekend event is about to be a block party like no other! And well, this Broadway Block Party will indeed help to boost the sport!

Broadway Block Party helps grow the already boosting sport!

Volleyball has never been so lit and the Broadway Block Party is just another flame to the fire. In March 2024, Deloitte estimated that the market for women’s sports would reach $1 billion by the end of the year, tripling the 2021 figures. And at this point, ‘Everyone watches women’s sports’ is no longer a slogan but has become the fact. Nebraska’s record-breaking 92,003 fans for the match held at the Memorial Stadium in 2023 marked the beginning of the craze and college volleyball has since been garnering millions of viewership, with ESPN alone racking up a massive 3.7 million views during the 2024 NCAA season. But hold on—pro volleyball is coming in even hotter!

Athletes Unlimited started it and there are three leagues that are currently running and the fourth one is in the pipeline. Market.us says that this is about to explode the industry from $3.9 billion behemoth to $6.9 billion goldmine in a decade, all because of merch. Fans are ready to rep their teams, whether it’s through jerseys, sneakers, or anything in between. That is why the numbers are expected to grow 5.9% each year and LOVB has secured $160 million in investments while MLV has locked in $100 million in investments ahead of its inaugural season.

But while all this growth is electric, not everyone is optimistic it will be plain sailing. With so many leagues battling for attention, some are wondering if the hype is sustainable. Volleyball legend Jordan Larson sees the upside—competition means better pay for players—but she’s also cautious, saying, “I do think it’s going to be tough to continue this.” Will the sport continue to meet the $3 billion expectations? Or is there a storm brewing on the horizon? One thing that is for certain, volleyball is not just a trend; it is the trend especially with Broadway Block Party in the picture.