Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska is typically reserved solely for Nebraska Cornhusker football games. But the No.4 ranked Nebraska Volleyball team held their game against the Omaha Mavericks at Memorial Stadium, and had quite the turnout for the game.
There was a ton of excitement around the game. Nebraska even canceled classes for the day as they prepared for the one-of-a-kind event. And fans did not disappoint, breaking a world attendance record for a women’s sporting event.
Chris Basnett of the Lincoln Journal Star posted a video on Twitter in his seat for the event, which showed the stadium that typically holds at most 90,000 fans packed to near capacity.
The view from Section 22, Row 8. #Huskers pic.twitter.com/0in8gLrWYu
— Chris Basnett (@ChrisBasnettLJS) August 30, 2023
As it turns out, they actually went over their normal capacity for this special game, as they were able to break the world record with 92,003 fans in attendance. This breaks the previous record set last year at a UEFA Women’s Champions League match in Barcelona with 91,648 fans.
Husker Nation, you’ve done it.
The WORLD RECORD for a Women’s Sporting Event lives in Lincoln.
Today’s attendance: 9️⃣2️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣3️⃣
There is NO PLACE like Nebraska. pic.twitter.com/lQFguWHyp8
— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) August 31, 2023
The 92,003 in attendance was also a record for the most ever in Memorial Stadium.
92,003 was the attendance at the Nebraska Volleyball outdoor match. That is…
– a world record for attendance at a women's sporting event
– an attendance record at Memorial Stadium https://t.co/mLYBmw6TJk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 31, 2023
It’s obviously an incredible feat considering the sport of volleyball isn’t particularly one that is usually synonymous with massive crowds like this. Fans took notice of this new record and marveled at how well this event ended up going.
Absolute scenes 😍 @HuskerVB pic.twitter.com/wHDOycxtu3
— espnW (@espnW) August 31, 2023
There at 92,003 people at the Nebraska Volleyball match tonight.
That officially sets A NEW WORLD RECORD for the highest attendance at a women’s sporting event in history.
Absolutely INCREDIBLE 👏 pic.twitter.com/1W9Rg7wliV
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 31, 2023
Some beautiful ariel shots of tonight's match!
What an incredible record-breaking night!
Over 90,000 in attendance for Volleyball Day in Nebraska!
Huskers sweep Omaha in 3 sets!
📹: @NEStatePatrol #Huskers pic.twitter.com/IJirptFEVk
— Philip M. Catalfamo (@PhilipCatalfamo) August 31, 2023
92,003!!!!!!!!!! THEY DID IT!!!! NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL SET THE WORLD RECORD FOR ATTENDANCE AT A WOMEN'S SPORTING EVENT.
THE WORLD RECORD.
92,003!!!!!!!!!!!
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) August 31, 2023
NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALLY HOLDS THE WOMEN’S SPORTING EVENT ATTENDANCE WORLD RECORD
92,003 HUSKERS SHOWED UP TO A VOLLEYBALL MATCH
— Barstool ‘Skers (@BarstoolHusker) August 31, 2023
This match is obviously a huge moment for both Nebraska and the sport of volleyball as a whole. But it is even bigger for the landscape of women’s sports and shows that if given the platform, women’s sports can be just as marketable as men’s sports.
