The NCAA Division I Volleyball Oversight Committee issued a legislative relief blanket waiver to permit institutions to participate in up to two scrimmages or exhibition contests prior to the first scheduled regular-season contest.
In granting the request, which was approved Feb. 18, the Oversight Committee noted:
- The blanket waiver is effective for the fall of 2026;
- The blanket waiver does not amend the legislation that requires scrimmages and exhibitions to occur during the institution’s declared playing season or to count against the maximum number of permissible contests;
- Permitting one additional scrimmage or exhibition allows for preseason, tournament-format exhibition events, which promote the overall growth of women’s volleyball;
- The American Volleyball Coaches Association supports the blanket waiver; and
- The oversight committee intends to propose legislation to amend the women’s volleyball playing and practice season to be reviewed through the sport oversight committee legislative process prior to fall 2027.
The blanket waiver is effective for the 2026-27 academic year.
Please reference Case No. 1263191 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab for additional information.
[References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 17.29.3 (first contest – women’s volleyball) and 17.29.3.1 (exception – scrimmage/exhibition contest)]
