The Champions Classic, a marquee event in college basketball that consistently brings together some of the nation’s best teams, has been renewed and will continue through the 2028 season. The Kentucky men’s basketball program, along with Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, and ESPN, will keep participating in this celebrated doubleheader series, which began in 2011.
First launched in New York’s Madison Square Garden, the inaugural Champions Classic saw Kentucky triumph over Kansas 75-65, while Duke defeated Michigan State. Since then, the series has featured annual matchups among these powerhouse programs, rotating both opponents and locations to give fans across the country the chance to see top-tier college basketball.
Head coach Mark Pope expressed excitement about the extension, saying, “For nearly 15 years, the Champions Classic has showcased the nation’s best programs, seen unforgettable moments, featured terrific games, and been the stage where players have become stars.”
The Champions Classic is set to return to Madison Square Garden on Nov. 18, 2025, with future locations yet to be announced for the events on Nov. 10, 2026; Nov. 9, 2027; and Nov. 7, 2028. This year’s edition tips off tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET with Kansas facing Michigan State, followed by the highly anticipated Kentucky vs. Duke showdown approximately 30 minutes after.
