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Aug 09, 2023

Nebraska Volleyball makes history with record 92,003 fans, tops all women's sports events

The massive event took place at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night Nebraska Volleyball Day culminated in an astonishing display of support as Memorial Stadium witnessed 92,003 fans gather to watch

The massive event took place at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night

Nebraska Volleyball Day culminated in an astonishing display of support as Memorial Stadium witnessed 92,003 fans gather to watch the Huskers face Omaha in an outdoor volleyball match.

This remarkable turnout established a new world record for the largest crowd to witness a women's sporting event.

The enthusiasm for volleyball in Nebraska reached unprecedented heights on this historic day.

As the sun set over Memorial Stadium, fans in red and white created an electrifying atmosphere, breaking multiple records and cementing the state's love for the sport.

The Huskers shattered the previous world record for women's sports attendance, which stood at 91,648 fans during a Champions League soccer match between Barcelona and Wolfsburg in April 2022.

But the records didn't stop there.

The previous American record for a women's sporting event was 90,185, set during the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final between Team USA and China at the Rose Bowl.

Moreover, the Huskers set new NCAA records, surpassing their own attendance records for an NCAA volleyball match.

The previous record of 18,755 was set during the 2021 NCAA Final against Wisconsin, while the NCAA volleyball regular-season attendance record of 16,833 was set in 2022 when Wisconsin hosted Florida.

The evening began with an exhibition match between in-state Division II teams Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State, setting the stage for the main event.

The Huskers then took the spotlight, securing a three-set victory over Omaha in a regular-season match. The celebration continued with a performance by country artist Scotty McCreery.

Memorial Stadium, which is known as the home of Nebraska football, was transformed into a volleyball arena for the night. While its official capacity for football is around 85,000, the inclusion of seats and standing room on the field allowed to set the record.

This extraordinary turnout reflects the profound impact of volleyball in Nebraska, where the sport has surpassed basketball as the leading high school team sport for girls.

It is estimated that approximately 7,000 girls participate in high school volleyball across the state.

Nebraska's athletic director, Trev Alberts, emphasized the state's investment in women's athletics, leading to the sport's success and fan support.

"Nebraska has significantly invested in women's athletics, and you're seeing the result of that by seeing the success of the volleyball program and the fan base surrounding it," Alberts said.