Via Kansas Athletics
Marquee men’s college basketball programs Kansas, Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State will continue annual doubleheaders for next three years.
ESPN Events’ State Farm Champions Classic season-opening men’s college basketball event featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State will be extended through November 2028.
The neutral site doubleheader will continue to rotate matchups so that each team plays the others once every three years. Sites for the 2026-28 events will be announced later. Previous venues include Madison Square Garden in New York City, the United Center in Chicago, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and the Georgia Dome and State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Kansas Head Coach Bill Self
“The Champions Classic is a great way to tip off the basketball season and we look forward to continuing that through 2028. Every year, all eyes are on these two games. The Champions Classic is great, not only for the players, but for the coaches and college basketball fans as well.”
ESPN Events Vice President Clint Overby
“Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State represent the very best within the sport of college basketball. Their records, traditions and championships all speak for themselves. We are proud to continue our partnership with the State Farm Champions Classic and these four programs.”
Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer
“We’re unbelievably excited about extending the Champions Classic. It’s always been an incredible way to start the season, providing an early test against elite competition. The respect we have for the other three programs is high-level, and our fans have really enjoyed getting an early look at our team against tough competition. I love knowing that we’ll continue this experience through 2028.”
Kentucky Head Coach Mark Pope
“We are extremely excited about the continuation of this premier event in college basketball. For 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.”
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo
“Playing in the Champions Classic at the start of the college basketball season has been one of the best events for our sport, and for Tom Izzo and Michigan State too. Getting the chance to play with three of the premier programs in college basketball is something we look forward to every year. It’s an event that I cherish and will never take for granted. It’s great to know our fans and 600,000 living alumni can keep the Champions Classic locked into their calendars through 2028.”
The upcoming matchups are:
Nov. 12, 2024 (State Farm Arena, Atlanta)
Michigan State vs. Kansas
Duke vs. Kentucky
Nov. 18, 2025 (Madison Square Garden, New York City)
Kansas vs. Duke
Michigan State vs. Kentucky
Nov. 10, 2026
Michigan State vs. Duke
Kansas vs. Kentucky
Nov. 9, 2027
Kentucky vs. Duke
Kansas vs. Michigan State
Nov. 7, 2028
Kentucky vs. Michigan State
Duke vs. Kansas
State Farm has been the title sponsor of the Champions Classic since the inaugural doubleheader in 2011.
Champions Classic History:
- The event features three of the top four all-time winningest men’s college basketball programs: Kentucky (first), Kansas (second) and Duke (fourth), while Michigan State has made 26 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, the second-longest active streak in Division I.
- Since the Champions Classic began in 2011, all four teams have reached the Final Four at least once, with Kentucky (2011-12), Duke (2014-15) and Kansas (2021-22) winning national titles.
- The four participating programs have combined for 19 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships (since 1939): Kentucky (eight), Duke (five), Kansas (four) and Michigan State (two).
- A total of 69 NBA first round draft selections have played in the State Farm Champions Classic, or an average of 5.3 first-rounders every year.
- All-time team records in the State Farm Champions Classic: Duke 8-5, Kansas 8-5, Kentucky 5-8, Michigan State 5-8.
