Record Rally: Nebraska Makes History 👀

08/31/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Nebraska Volleyball Claims World Record for Largest Attendance at Women’s Sporting Event (92,003)

College athletes across the country are being welcomed back this week, but no university had a back-to-school celebration like Nebraska. The Cornhuskers love their volleyball, and they showed it on Wednesday with 92,003 fans in attendance. Nebraska opened the gates to Memorial Stadium in an attempt to break the world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event, and they got it. The sights and sounds were absolutely epic.

The previous record (91,648) was set during a women’s Champions League match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2022. The previous American record was 90,185 in 1999 when the U.S. and China met at the Rose Bowl for the Women’s World Cup. Brandi Chastain famously ripped off her jersey after scoring the winning penalty.

Lincoln, Nebraska, far less densely populated than Barcelona or Los Angeles, came out in droves. They busted through the stadium’s total capacity ceiling of 85,000 due to standing room tickets and field seating. Volleyball is fast-paced excitement, but this? This was downright awesome.

Nebraska’s Love for Volleyball

It’s not everyday you get photos and imagery of an outdoor volleyball match in a college football stadium, let alone a packed house. The Cornhuskers powered through 83-degree temps to beat in-state opponent, Omaha. The match featured a flyover and a performance by country music artist, Scotty McCreery. Prior to Wednesday night, the Nebraska volleyball program had sold out 306 consecutive home matches dating back to 2013. The state produces more collegiate volleyball players per capita than any other state, besides Hawaii.

Lincoln — the home of the world record for women’s sports attendance? Who would’ve thought?!

Nebraska’s World Record Volleyball Game in Photos

NCAA: How Nebraska Volleyball Broke the World Record for Women’s Sports Attendance

Photo: C. Morgan Engel / Getty Images