DES MOINES, Iowa — Drake University volleyball has announced the schedule for the 2026 season. The Bulldogs' schedule includes one exhibition, four non-conference tournaments (with Drake hosting a tournament from the Knapp Center), and a challenging Missouri Valley Conference slate.

Drake will take to the court for its one and only exhibition hosting Northwest Missouri State on August 20.

The regular season starts up with the Bulldogs playing host for their own tournament from the Knapp Center. Drake begins with a contest versus South Dakota on Aug. 28 and then follows up with a doubleheader on Aug. 29 versus DePaul and Milwaukee. This marks the first home tournament for the Bulldogs since the 2019 season.

September sees the Bulldogs hit the road and travel to Manhattan, Kansas for the Kansas State Tournament. Drake will face the likes of Cal State Northridge (9/5) and hosts Kansas State (9/6).

The following week Drake heads down to the Kansas City Tournament to challenge Kansas City, Utah Valley, and Radford Sept. 11-12.

Drake's next two matches will feature a pair of midweek contests - a home date versus Omaha (9/15) and a short road trip on I-80 to face the Iowa Hawkeyes the following day.

The Bulldogs wrap up the non-conference season with the Kathy DeBoer Invitational from East Lansing, Michigan. In a doubleheader on Sept. 18 Drake will take on Wright State and the host institution Michigan State Spartans.

MVC play closes out the month of September as Drake welcomes in-state rival UNI to the Knapp Center (9/22) for a midweek bout followed by a home match with Murray State (9/25).

As the calendar flips to October the Bulldogs go on a four-game road trip. Drake first heads to the Land of Lincoln to meet Illinois State (10/2) and Bradley (10/3) and will see the road trip conclude with a rematch against UNI (10/8) and Indiana State (10/10).

The next four games for the Bulldogs will subsequently take place on Drake's home court against UIC (10/16), Valparaiso (10/17), Bradley (10/23), and Evansville (10/24).

Over Halloween weekend the Bulldogs will travel south for matches against Belmont (10/30) and Murray State (10/31).

November brings the final home contests of the season as Southern Illinois and Belmont come to town Nov. 6-7, and the regular season concludes a week later on the road at Valpo (11/13) and UIC (11/14).

Season tickets for the upcoming Drake Volleyball season are now on sale. Fans can purchase season tickets for $50, which includes admission to all regular-season home matches. An additional package option is available for $65 and includes admission to the Drake-hosted volleyball tournament.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here or call the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.