With the calendar year turned over to 2026 and the fall sporting window closing, Tennessee athletics turns the corner itself.
Both the men’s and women’s Tennessee basketball teams are diving headfirst into conference play, while the Tennessee baseball team stands ready to launch a thrilling new era under head coach Josh Elander.
Here are the biggest events that’ll be must-watches on campus this spring semester.
Feb. 28: Men’s basketball vs. Alabama
Tennessee basketball head coach Rick Barnes’ team has been on an up-and-down ride so far this season, with six losses through the first three months of play.
With four conference games already under the team’s belt, there still remain some big tests, including two meetings against No. 17 Alabama, with a home matchup on Feb. 28.
The Vols have won the last four meetings between the two schools, with the most recent meeting in Knoxville ending in a tight 79-76 victory, one that Jahmai Mashack sent home on a buzzer beater. The home game for the Vols will serve as the second meeting of the season and will come at a critical time for standings play.
March 1: Women’s basketball vs. Vanderbilt
As always, the SEC is filled to the brim with talented teams this season. The Lady Vols took some time to find their footing, but have gained momentum in recent weeks with six-straight wins, including five conference wins.
The team’s final regular-season contest has the potential to be one of the best, with the undefeated No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores coming to town for the regular-season finale.
Historically, the Lady Vols have commanded this rivalry, but last season, Vanderbilt flipped the script with two statement wins — including an SEC Tournament upset.
March 6-8: Softball vs. LSU
Ranked No. 4 in the preseason Softball America Top 25 rankings, the Lady Vols enter this season with high hopes and a heavy chip on their shoulder after a tough Women’s College World Series exit just a season ago.
The SEC is filled with talent, with 12 total teams ranked in the preseason top 25. One of the teams includes LSU, which arrives in Knoxville for a three-game series beginning March 6.
The two schools did not meet last season, but are geared up for a top-25 meeting if all holds up. Senior Lady Vol pitcher Karlyn Pickens will face off against LSU infielder Tori Edwards in what should be a must-see softball game.
April 3-5: Baseball vs. LSU
There is yet another LSU and Tennessee matchup on the diamond, this time taking place at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as Elander and his Vols get to face off against the defending national champions.
The three-game series beginning April 3 runs through the weekend, and both teams have created quite a reputation for themselves in recent seasons. In D1 Baseball’s preseason rankings, LSU lands at No. 2, while the Vols stand at No. 14.
The series, more likely than not, will be the first-ranked conference series at home for the Vols of the season, and it may be the biggest.
May 8-10: Baseball vs. Texas
In fairness, there are storylines for every single home series this season when it comes to Tennessee baseball.
Other than the team’s meeting against LSU, the toughest opponent the Vols may square off against in the 2026 regular season comes in the final home series of the season against Texas.
Texas, ranked No. 2 on D1 Baseball’s preseason rankings, is loaded with talent after a big offseason. Led by former Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle, the same coach who faced off against the Vols in the 2024 College World Series, it’ll be an exciting way to finish the home schedule.
Tennessee and Texas put together a 12-inning thriller in the SEC Tournament last May, as the only meeting between the schools as conference opponents.
