NCAA Volleyball Championship 2025 Start Time

By Sarah Miller · August 10, 2052

The 2025 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship semifinals will be held on December 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM ET, with the national title match scheduled for December 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM ET. Both matches will take place at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

What Time Is the NCAA Volleyball Championship?

The NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship final match is set for Friday, December 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). The semifinal matches will occur two days prior, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM ET. These times are consistent with recent championship scheduling patterns established by ESPN and the NCAA.

NCAA Volleyball Championship Schedule Overview

The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament culminates in a four-team Final Four event, featuring two semifinal matches and one national championship game. Below is the confirmed schedule for the 2025 edition:

Semifinal Match 1: December 18, 2025 | 7:00 PM ET
Semifinal Match 2: December 18, 2025 | 9:30 PM ET
National Championship: December 20, 2025 | 6:00 PM ET
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Broadcast Network: ESPN

Fans can expect pre-game coverage to begin approximately 30 minutes before each match. International viewers should convert ET to their local time zones using reliable tools such as World Time Engine or ESPN’s global broadcast schedule.

Where to Watch the NCAA Volleyball Championship

The entire NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship weekend will be televised exclusively on ESPN. Viewers in the United States can access the games through traditional cable providers, streaming platforms like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and the ESPN app (with valid subscription).

Streaming Options

ESPN App: Free with participating TV provider login; also available via ESPN+ subscriptions that include live TV packages.
ESPN+: While the main broadcast airs on ESPN, select supplemental content may stream on ESPN+.
International Access: Outside the U.S., fans can watch via ESPN International, CBC Sport (Canada), Sky Sports (UK), or other regional sports networks.

Historical Broadcast Times and Trends

Over the past decade, the NCAA Volleyball Championship has consistently been scheduled on a Friday evening in mid-December, typically between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM ET. This timing maximizes viewership across both coasts and aligns with ESPN’s prime-time programming strategy.

Year	Date	Kickoff Time (ET)	Location	Network
2024	Dec 22	3:00 PM	Kansas City, MO	ESPN
2023	Dec 16	6:00 PM	Kentucky Expo Center, KY	ESPN
2022	Dec 17	6:00 PM	CHI Health Center, NE	ESPN
2021	Dec 18	5:00 PM	Pittsburgh, PA	ESPN2
2019	Dec 21	5:00 PM	Pittsburgh, PA	ESPN

Table data source:1, 2

Data shows a clear trend toward primetime Saturday or Friday broadcasts since 2019, with only one exception in 2024 when the final aired earlier due to scheduling conflicts. ESPN remains the dominant broadcaster, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity and media value.

Key Teams and Players to Watch in 2025

The 2025 championship features several powerhouse programs expected to contend:

University of Texas: Defending champions from 2023; strong offensive lineup led by All-American middle blockers.
Stanford University: Consistent Final Four appearances; known for disciplined defense and elite coaching.
University of Nebraska: Top-ranked recruiting classes; home-court advantage in Big Ten play.
Penn State: Historical dominance with seven national titles; returning key seniors in 2025.

Emerging stars include Logan Eggleston (Texas), Jess Mruzik (Penn State), and Kendall Kipp (Stanford), all of whom have demonstrated elite performance in high-pressure tournament settings.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NCAA Volleyball Championship

What time does the NCAA volleyball championship start in 2025?

The 2025 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship final begins at 6:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, December 20, 2025. Semifinals are on December 18 at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM ET.

Where is the 2025 NCAA volleyball championship being held?

The 2025 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship will be hosted at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Which channel is broadcasting the NCAA volleyball championship?

The championship will be broadcast live on ESPN. All games are available via cable, satellite, and streaming services that carry ESPN.

How can I stream the NCAA volleyball championship online?

You can stream the event on the ESPN app or through live TV streaming platforms such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, or Sling TV, provided you have access to ESPN.

Has the NCAA volleyball championship time changed over the years?

Yes, kickoff times have shifted slightly. Since 2019, most finals have been scheduled between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM ET, though the 2024 final started earlier at 3:00 PM due to network scheduling adjustments.