Champions Classic

The Champions Classic returns to Chicago's iconic United Center on November 11, 2026, bringing together four of college basketball's most storied programs for an unforgettable night of elite competition. Duke Blue Devils, Michigan State Spartans, Kentucky Wildcats, and Kansas Jayhawks — four programs with a combined legacy of national championships, legendary coaches, and NBA-bound talent — converge in a single spectacular event that signals the true start of the college basketball season. The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and one of the most electric arenas in North America, provides the perfect stage for this annual showcase. With a capacity of nearly 21,000 roaring fans draped in royal blue, green, white, and crimson, the atmosphere is nothing short of playoff intensity from the opening tip-off. Two marquee matchups packed into one evening means double the drama, double the rivalries, and twice the opportunity to witness tomorrow's NBA stars today. Whether you bleed Duke blue, cheer for the Wildcats, live and die with the Spartans, or rock the Jayhawks' crimson and blue, the Champions Classic is a bucket-list moment for any college basketball fan. Secure your seats early — this is one of the most sought-after tickets in the sport, and the United Center will be absolutely packed with passionate fans ready to witness history on a Wednesday night in Chicago.