The UNLV Rebels women’s volleyball team will begin the 2026 season by facing Nebraska and Texas Christian University in the Players Era Volleyball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 8. Start times, television coverage, and ticket information for the event will be announced later. Texas is also among the four teams participating.
The showcase is significant as it brings together top collegiate volleyball programs for a high-profile early-season event. The matches are expected to draw attention due to both the caliber of teams involved and Las Vegas’s status as an emerging sports destination.
“It’s an honor for our program to be invited to compete in the inaugural Players Era Elite Volleyball Championship,” said head coach Malia Shoji. “To say our team, staff and program are excited would be an understatement. Coming off one of the strongest spring seasons we’ve had, this group is eager for the opportunity to test itself against some of the best programs in the country. Now, we need Rebel Nation behind us. Let’s pack T-Mobile Arena and help us take on Nebraska and TCU during opening weekend. 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.” Shoji emphasized her team’s enthusiasm about competing against top-ranked opponents.
UNLV leads its all-time series with TCU 12-5; however, this will mark their first meeting since 2011 when TCU left the Mountain West Conference for the Big 12. It will also be UNLV’s first-ever match against Nebraska.
Players Era was founded in 2024 as a subsidiary of EverWonder Studio with a goal of creating equitable models for college sports by focusing on player value and expanding global fandom through major events like this one.
The event features doubleheaders: Day one includes Nebraska versus UNLV followed by Texas versus TCU; day two highlights Nebraska facing Texas—a rematch nearly three years after their last meeting—and concludes with TCU playing UNLV again. The showcase also offers $1 million in Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) opportunities for participating teams.
