- Houston, Purdue, SMU and Kentucky will compete in the four-team NCAA women’s college volleyball event at Baha Mar
For its inaugural season, the 2026 Paradise Invitational will showcase four elite matchups in NCAA women’s volleyball. Purdue, Houston, SMU and Kentucky will face off in Nassau, The Bahamas, Sept. 12-13 for an in-season showcase at Baha Mar. Houston, Purdue, SMU and Kentucky will face off in Nassau, The Bahamas, Sept. 12-13 for an in-season showcase at Baha Mar.
“This is college volleyball at its best: elite programs, an incredible destination and a national platform that allows fans across the country to experience the action,” said Glenn Smith, CEO of GS Global Sports. “The Paradise Invitational brings together some of the sport’s most exciting programs in a setting that creates unforgettable moments for student-athletes and fans alike. We’re proud to have ESPN help share those moments with audiences nationwide.”
The event will feature matchups between nationally-ranked teams with top-tier competition, giving fans the opportunity to see four powerhouse programs battle in a world-class destination. Matches 1 and 2 will be available on ESPN+, with the Consolation Match live on ESPN2 and the Championship Match on ESPN. All matches will be streaming on the ESPN App with an applicable ESPN subscription.
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Network |
| Sat, Sep 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Houston vs. Purdue | ESPN+ |
| 2 p.m. | SMU vs. Kentucky | ESPN+ | |
| Sun, Sep 13 | 1 p.m. | Loser vs. Loser | ESPN2 |
| 5 p.m. | Winner vs. Winner | ESPN |
Media Contacts
One Story PR: Whitney Bell | onestorypr@gmail.com
ESPN: Grayson Shirey | grayson.shirey@espn.com