Newark, NJ (October 1, 2026) — The Coretta Scott King Classic will return to Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for its third consecutive year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2027. This event, which will be broadcasted on FOX, focuses on women's college basketball while commemorating the legacy of Coretta Scott King and her family.
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Organized by Fox Sports, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), and Playfly Sports, the classic will include defending national champions UCLA, 2025 national champions UConn, top-ranked Oklahoma, and local team Seton Hall. The matchups are:
Game 1 at 12 PM ET: UCLA vs. Oklahoma
Game 2 at 2:30 PM ET: UConn vs. Seton Hall
Tickets for the event will be available to the public starting Friday, October 2, at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Seton Hall Head Coach Anthony Bozzella expressed gratitude for participating in an event honoring the King family and voiced excitement about competing against the Huskies in a well-known venue. He noted that Seton Hall's inclusion alongside powerhouse programs highlights the team's rising profile nationally.
The Coretta Scott King Classic transcends sports, representing a movement focused on celebrating leadership, equality, education, and empowerment through athletics. Alongside the games, there will be various community activities and youth engagement programs aimed at inspiring attendees and uplifting the local community.
Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Coretta Scott King and CEO of The King Center, emphasized the event's role in promoting her mother’s values among young people through women’s basketball, highlighting its potential to encourage future leaders.
Julie Simmons, Co-Founder of Paragon Sports Marketing, noted that the Classic has rapidly established itself as a key event that merges elite competition with community engagement. She reiterated the significance of bringing together top teams like UCLA, Oklahoma, UConn, and Seton Hall to honor Mrs. King's legacy of unity and equality.
Jordan Bazant, Executive Vice President of FOX Sports, also welcomed the event's return, emphasizing its growing importance in women’s college basketball.
Dylan Wanagiel, Vice President of Sports Properties and Special Events at HBSE/Prudential Center, remarked that hosting the Coretta Scott King Classic for a third year is a celebration of both competitive excellence and the values championed by the King family. He expressed excitement about collaborating with Playfly Sports to showcase women's basketball on this significant day.