11 home matches at the ARC, including the Popcorn Classic featuring a pair of Power Four teams in Michigan and Cincinnati, highlight the 2026 schedule for the Valpo volleyball team.
 
After a pair of exhibition matches, the season kicks off for Valpo at the Chattanooga Classic Aug. 28-29, where it takes on UAB and Tennessee State in addition to the hosts. The Beacons then return home to the ARC Sept. 4-6, welcoming Michigan, which won 22 matches and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2025, Cincinnati, which closed the 2025 season with an RPI of 53, and Oakland for the Popcorn Classic. Cincinnati will also take on both Michigan and Oakland as part of the tournament.
 
Preconference play continues Sept. 10-12 at the Cleveland State/Akron Invite, where in addition to facing the two hosts, the Beacons will play a Coppin State program which won 23 matches and MEAC regular season and tournament titles last year. Valpo's final preconference tournament is cohosted by Niagara and Canisius Sept. 18-19, with a matchup against Le Moyne as well.
 
The 16-match MVC slate opens at the ARC Sept. 25 against Belmont for the Beacons' lone matchup against the Bruins. Valpo will also play Southern Illinois, Murray State and Bradley just once apiece, while playing home and away against Illinois State, UIC, Evansville, UNI, Drake and Indiana State. The regular season wraps up at the ARC versus UNI Nov. 14, with the MVC Tournament contested on campus sites Nov. 18-24.
 
Valpo is coming off a 2025 campaign which saw it earn its best regular season finish since joining the Missouri Valley Conference, tying for second place as the Beacons enjoyed a 21-win season.
 
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season, including admission to all five matches of the Popcorn Classic and the Beacons' eight MVC home matches. General admission season tickets are just $75, while season tickets for children 10 and under are just $30. Visit tickets.valpoathletics.com to purchase your season tickets today.