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State Farm® Champions Classic returns to Chicago in 2026

Marquee men’s college basketball doubleheader featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State will be played at the United Center on Nov. 10, 2026 

State Farm, Sports News, Sports Entertainment, College Basketball

ESPN Events’ State Farm Champions Classic season-opening men’s college basketball event featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State will be played at the United Center in Chicago on Nov. 10, 2026.

The neutral site doubleheader returns to the United Center for the fifth time, tying Madison Square Garden for the most times hosting the event. The State Farm Champions Classic was also held in Chicago in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2023. The 2026 event will feature Michigan State vs. Duke and Kansas vs. Kentucky.

Tonight, the 15th annual State Farm Champions Classic will feature No. 17 Michigan State facing No. 12 Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by No. 24 Kansas taking on No. 5 Duke at 9 p.m. at Madison Square Garden in New York. Additionally, College GameDay Covered by State Farm® returns to the event for the first time since 2019, broadcasting live from the Madison Square Garden floor at 6 p.m.

State Farm has been the title sponsor of the Champions Classic since the inaugural doubleheader in 2011.

Tickets for the 2026 State Farm Champions Classic will go on sale in the fall. Fans can sign up for first access through the event pre-sale at https://espnevents.com/champions-classic/pre-sale-sign-up.

Champions Classic History:

  • The event features three of the top four all-time winningest men’s college basketball programs: Kansas (first), Kentucky (second) and Duke (fourth), while Michigan State has made 27 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 73 NBA first round draft selections have played in the State Farm Champions Classic, or an average of 5.2 first-rounders every year.
  • All-time team records in the State Farm Champions Classic: Duke 8-6, Kansas 9-5, Kentucky 6-8, Michigan State 5-9.