Memorial Stadium Sets World Record for Largest Women’s Sporting Event Attendance
On Wednesday night, Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, became the center of attention as the University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team took on in-state opponent Omaha. What made the event even more remarkable was the record-breaking attendance. The official count showed a staggering 92,003 people in the stadium, which normally hosts football games. This number has now set the world record for the largest announced crowd at a women’s sporting event, according to the university.
The previous record was held by Barcelona, Spain, where 91,648 soccer fans gathered at Camp Nou in April 2022 to witness a UEFA Champions League semifinal between Barcelona and Wolfsburg. Nebraska’s achievement surpasses this previous record.
Trev Alberts, the school’s athletics director, addressed the ecstatic Nebraska crowd after the match, which saw the five-time national champions secure a dominant victory of 25-14, 25-14, 25-13. Alberts praised the Nebraska fans, describing them as the best in the world. He then introduced head coach John Cook, who also expressed gratitude to the passionate supporters, stating that they have proven to be the best fans in the country.
Coach Cook humorously highlighted the impact of Nebraska volleyball, jokingly saying that the University of Nebraska can only be shutdown by three factors: snowstorms, Covid, and Nebraska volleyball in the stadium. He expressed his appreciation to the students, adding, “The impossible is possible.” The crowd erupted in cheer as Cook praised the unique atmosphere in Nebraska, saying, “There’s no place like Nebraska.”
The previous record for a women’s sporting event in the United States stood at 90,185 attendees during the United States-China soccer World Cup final in July 1999 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Nebraska’s groundbreaking attendance at Memorial Stadium has now surpassed this record as well.
The record-setting crowd at Memorial Stadium demonstrated their enthusiasm right from the start, giving a roaring ovation to the fourth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team as the players entered the court. This remarkable display of support occurred during what the school referred to as “Volleyball Day.”
It is worth noting that the University of Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team holds an impressive streak. They have sold out a NCAA-record 306 consecutive regular season matches. Although Wednesday’s match did not count towards this streak because it was not played at the team’s usual Bob Devaney Sports Center court.
Before Wednesday, the largest announced attendance at a NCAA volleyball match was 18,755 when Nebraska played Wisconsin in the NCA A final at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, in December 2021. The incredible turnout for the university’s volleyball team also indicates the passion and support that Nebraskans have for the sport.
With a stadium capacity listed at 85,458 for football games, Nebraska’s achievement in filling Memorial Stadium with over 92,000 attendees for a women’s volleyball match is truly remarkable. It highlights the strong fan base and dedication to women’s sports in Nebraska.