ESPN Events has revealed the game times, matchups, and networks for its 2026-27 college basketball schedule, which will feature nine events encompassing both men’s and women’s basketball throughout the season.
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The programming will exceed 80 hours across ESPN networks, highlighting 33 teams from 12 conferences, including 18 NCAA Tournament teams and 11 squads ranked in ESPN’s preliminary 2026-27 Top 25 lists.
Represented conferences include the ACC, American, Atlantic 10, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Horizon League, Ivy League, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, SEC, and Sun Belt.
Among the 18 teams that participated in last season’s NCAA Tournament are Akron, Alabama, Duke, Georgia, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, Saint Louis, South Florida, UCF, and Wright State for the men’s side, while Kentucky, LSU, UConn, and Virginia represent the women’s field.
The schedule begins with the 16th annual State Farm Champions Classic on November 10 at United Center in Chicago, featuring No. 8 Michigan State against No. 2 Duke, and No. 25 Kansas against No. 22 Kentucky, all ranked teams according to ESPN. Subsequent events include the 18th annual Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic on November 20 and 22 at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, followed by the 20th annual ESPN Events Invitational during Thanksgiving week at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida.
Thanksgiving Week coverage will also see the second annual Dick Vitale Invitational on November 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, featuring North Carolina versus West Virginia. On November 29, the inaugural Atlantic 10/American Showcase will take place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with Memphis facing Dayton and South Florida taking on Saint Louis.
December highlights include the 32nd Jimmy V Men’s Classic presented by Modelo at Madison Square Garden on December 8, showcasing No. 16 Alabama against No. 17 Houston, and Georgia versus No. 2 Duke. This event supports the V Foundation for Cancer Research. ESPN aims to continue its tradition of fundraising during V Week, having raised $14.5 million last year and over $116.3 million to date. This marks ESPN's 20th V Week for Cancer Research.
The Sprouts Farmers Market espnW Invitational returns on December 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, featuring a matchup between No. 10 LSU and No. 2 UConn, followed by Virginia against No. 17 Kentucky.
The schedule concludes on January 23 with a non-conference game between No. 15 Louisville and Baylor.