LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky volleyball program has finalized its non-conference schedule with the announcement of the 2026 Bluegrass Battle at Historic Memorial Coliseum. The three-day event from Aug. 28-30 will feature the Wildcats playing two matches against Utah State and South Florida, along with contests between the other competing teams.

The tournament opens Friday, Aug. 28 with South Florida facing Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Kentucky meeting Utah State at 7 p.m. ET. Saturday's schedule includes a 2 p.m. ET matchup between Utah State and EKU, then Kentucky versus South Florida at 6 p.m. ET. The tournament concludes Sunday, Aug. 30 with a noon ET neutral-site match between Utah State and South Florida.

The Bluegrass Battle marks the final piece of Kentucky's non-conference slate ahead of a demanding conference schedule. The Wildcats, coming off a runner-up finish in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, will face a slate of ranked SEC opponents and marquee non-conference matchups including a historic outdoor match against Penn State at Wrigley Field on Sept. 6.

Tickets for the Bluegrass Battle are available through the Kentucky Ticket Office at UKathletics.com/tickets or by calling 859-257-1818. Times and television assignments for individual matches will be announced later by ESPN and network television partners.

For the latest on UK volleyball, fans can follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @KentuckyVB.