In an era where college basketball is being reshaped by NIL deals and mega-conference realignment, multi-team neutral-site events have been slowly fading into the background. But the CBS Sports Classic - a staple for blue-blood programs and hoops fans alike - is bucking that trend. On Wednesday, we got clarity on its future: the event is sticking around through at least 2029.
And that wasn’t the only news. We now know the Classic is heading back to Madison Square Garden in 2026, continuing what’s become a de facto rotation between New York City and Atlanta.
But the real headline? Kansas is officially in.
The Jayhawks are now a permanent fixture in the four-team showcase, replacing UCLA alongside Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio State.
Last year, St. John’s filled the fourth spot as a one-year stand-in, with UCLA and Ohio State both now part of the Big Ten. But moving forward, the lineup is set - and it’s loaded.
Even better, we’ve got the matchups for the next four years. For North Carolina fans, that means no more guesswork about who the Tar Heels will face in this marquee non-conference event.
The order is locked in: Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State, then Kentucky again. That’s back-to-back meetings with the Wildcats and three matchups with Kansas in a four-year span - exactly the kind of high-profile clashes fans have been craving as college hoops moves further away from traditional rivalries and fixed schedules.
Adding Kansas to the mix elevates the event in a big way. The Jayhawks weren’t part of the original CBS Sports Classic, likely due to Roy Williams’ ties to both Kansas and UNC - and an understandable reluctance to pit them against each other.
But with that era in the rearview mirror, the path is clear for some heavyweight matchups. Whether it’s UNC-Kentucky, Kansas-Kentucky, or UNC-Kansas, fans are guaranteed a blue-blood battle every year.
And don’t sleep on Ohio State’s presence. While they might not carry the same basketball pedigree as the other three, their massive national following - especially during football season - brings serious TV value. That matters, especially as networks look for dependable draws in a fragmented media landscape.
From a scheduling standpoint, this also helps clarify things for the ACC/SEC Challenge. With UNC and Kentucky slated to face off in 2026 and 2029 in the Classic, it’s unlikely they’ll be paired in the Challenge those years. But don’t be surprised if the Wildcats make a trip to Chapel Hill in 2027 or 2028 - a natural home-and-home response to the Tar Heels traveling to Lexington.
While the CBS Sports Classic may no longer own the late-December spotlight - thanks to the rise of the College Football Playoff and the NFL’s Saturday slate - it still holds real weight. CBS clearly sees the value, not just in renewing the event but in enhancing it with a perennial powerhouse like Kansas. Pair that with the network’s recent push into Thanksgiving week hoops, and it’s clear they’re doubling down on live sports - one of the last remaining sure bets in today’s fractured TV world.
So yes, the CBS Sports Classic is evolving. But it’s still delivering what fans want: elite programs, big-time matchups, and a national stage. And now, it’s locked in for the long haul.