The CBS Sports Classic is leveling up. Kansas is officially joining the rotation, turning an already star-studded event into a true blueblood showcase. With Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, and now Kansas locked in, this annual doubleheader is set to deliver some of the most compelling non-conference action in college basketball through at least 2029.
The 2026 edition is circled on the calendar for Saturday, December 19, and it’s heading back to one of basketball’s most iconic stages: Madison Square Garden in New York City. This year’s matchups are already set, and they’re loaded with intrigue-Kansas will square off against Ohio State, while North Carolina and Kentucky renew one of the sport’s most tradition-rich rivalries.
What makes the CBS Sports Classic special isn’t just the names on the jerseys-it’s the rotating matchups, the neutral site atmosphere, and the early-season stakes that feel like March came early. And now, with Kansas in the mix, the tournament adds a program that’s consistently in the national title conversation and brings another layer of championship pedigree to the event.
Looking ahead, the matchups for the next three years have also been locked in:
- In 2027, Kentucky will face Ohio State on December 18.
- In 2028, it’ll be Kentucky vs.
Kansas on December 16.
- And in 2029, Kentucky and North Carolina will run it back on December 15.
While the venues for those future games haven’t been announced yet, the expectation is that the event will continue to rotate through top-tier arenas in major markets, keeping the spotlight bright and the stakes high.
For fans looking to be part of the action, official travel packages will be available starting in August. These packages include tickets to both games and hotel accommodations near Madison Square Garden, offering a front-row seat to one of the most electric weekends on the college basketball calendar. Public ticket sales will follow in September, but those who sign up early at the CBS Sports Classic website will get access to an exclusive presale window.
With four of the sport’s most storied programs now locked into the CBS Sports Classic for the next several years, this event isn’t just a showcase-it’s a celebration of college basketball at its highest level. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love the energy of big-time hoops, this is one you’ll want on your radar every December.