GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Rise on Friday released their schedule for the upcoming 2026 Major League Volleyball season.
The franchise's third season under head coach and VP of volleyball operations Cathy George begins on Friday, Jan. 9, at the defending MLV champion Orlando Valkyries. It’s the second consecutive season that Grand Rapids has started on the road. After a second opening-weekend road contest against the Atlanta Vibe on Sunday, Jan. 11, the Rise return to Michigan for their home opener on Wednesday, Jan. 14 against the Columbus Fury.
The 2026 schedule will once again feature a 28-match regular season, maintaining the double home and away round-robin format from last year. The Dallas Pulse join the MLV this year, replacing the inactive Vegas Thrill. Each team will face every other team four times, with two matches at home and two on the road throughout the campaign.
The Rise will navigate a steady mix of home and away matches throughout the 17-week calendar, never playing more than two straight in either setting. Key dates include the team’s first-ever meeting with the Pulse on Feb. 8 on the road, a Valentine’s Day home matchup against the Vibe on Feb. 14, and Friday road contests in Omaha against the Supernovas on March 20 and Apr. 10 after the Rise host the inaugural 2024 champions on Feb. 1 and March 7.
Grand Rapids will finish the regular season with four of its final six matches at Van Andel Arena, hosting the Indy Ignite, Columbus, Atlanta, and Orlando before concluding the schedule on Thursday, Apr. 30, with a road match against the San Diego Mojo. The other 13 Rise away contests will all take place either on a Friday or Sunday.
Major League Volleyball will hold a four-team postseason championship at the end of the regular season, with the top four teams in the standings competing. The event will consist of two semifinal matches and one championship match. Dates and times are to be determined.
2026 Home Schedule Highlights:• Seven weekend matches (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) out of 14 home matches• Home opener against regional rival Columbus (Jan. 14)• Home finale against defending MLV champion Orlando (Apr. 25)• Four Wednesday matches and three Thursday matches• Five matches in April, including a pair of consecutive home matches (Apr. 12 and 17, Apr. 22 and 25)• Back-to-back matches on March 7-8, with a home contest against Omaha before traveling to Indy the next day• Four of the final six matches at home• DP Fox Sports & Entertainment franchises (Rise and the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins) will play four home contests in four days at Van Andel Arena from Feb. 12-15 and Feb. 25-28.
Fans can purchase full-season, half-season, or group ticket packages by calling (616) 575-6500 or by clicking here. Single-match tickets will be available to the public on Nov. 17 through grrise.com.
RISE 2026 SCHEDULE BREAKDOWNSeason Opener: Fri., Jan. 9 at Orlando ValkyriesHome Opener: Wed., Jan. 14 vs. Columbus FuryHome Finale: Sat., Apr. 25 vs. Orlando ValkyriesSeason Finale: Thu., Apr. 30 at San Diego MojoBy Day (Home) Wednesday – 4, Saturday – 3, Thursday – 3, Friday – 2, Sunday – 2By Day (Road) Sunday – 7, Friday – 6, Thursday – 1By Month (Home) January – 2, February – 4, March – 3, April – 5By Month (Road) January – 3, February – 3, March – 4, April – 4Longest Homestand 2 matches, five times: Jan. 29-Feb. 1, Feb. 12-14, March 25-Apr. 3, Apr. 12-17, Apr. 22-25 Longest Road Trip 2 matches, four times: Jan. 9-11, Feb. 6-8, March 8-13, Apr. 5-10
GRAND RAPIDS RISE 2026 SCHEDULEFri., Jan. 9 at OrlandoSun., Jan. 11 at AtlantaWed., Jan. 14 COLUMBUS 7 p.m.Fri., Jan. 23 at San Diego Thu.,Jan. 29 ORLANDO 7 p.m.Sun., Feb. 1 OMAHA 3 p.m.Fri., Feb. 6 at IndySun., Feb. 8 at DallasThu., Feb. 12 SAN DIEGO 7 p.m.Sat., Feb. 14 ATLANTA 7 p.m.Sun., Feb. 22 at DallasThu., Feb. 26 SAN DIEGO 7 p.m.Sun., March 1 at OrlandoSat., March 7 OMAHA 7 p.m.Sun., March 8 at IndyFri., March 13 at AtlantaWed., March 18 DALLAS 7 p.m.Fri., March 20 at OmahaWed., March 25 INDY 7 p.m.Fri., Apr. 3 DALLAS 7 p.m.Sun., Apr. 5 at ColumbusFri., Apr. 10 at OmahaSun., Apr. 12 COLUMBUS 3 p.m.Fri., Apr. 17 INDY 7 p.m.Sun., Apr. 19 at ColumbusWed., Apr. 22 ATLANTA 7 p.m.Sat., Apr. 25 ORLANDO 7 p.m.Thu., Apr. 30 at San Diego All Times Eastern Dates and Opponents Subject to Change Away Match Times and Broadcast Information TBD
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL Major League Volleyball, entering its third season, is the longest-running formal professional volleyball league for women in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.
ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS RISE The Grand Rapids Rise made their debut in January 2024 and will play their third season in 2026 as members of Major League Volleyball. Led by longtime Michigan State and Western Michigan head coach Cathy George, the Rise reached the championship match during their inaugural season and rank among the top U.S. women’s pro volleyball teams in attendance. The team is operated by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment and owned by Dan DeVos, who is also majority owner and CEO of the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins and minority owner of Athletic Club Grand Rapids, which will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2027. Visit grrise.com for more information.
