State Farm Champions Classic is Here to Stay: the College Basketball Tip-Off Event Renewed for Three More Years


The State Farm Champions Classic – a neutral site doubleheader featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State – has been renewed through 2022. The early-season event heads to Chicago (2020), New York City (2021) and Indianapolis (2022) at United Center, Madison Square Garden and Bankers Life Fieldhouse, respectively. The inaugural game was held at Madison Square Garden in 2011 followed by the Georgia Dome in 2012.

“We are excited to continue with this marquee event, as it has become a fixture on the college basketball landscape,” said Pete Derzis, ESPN senior vice president of college sports programming and events.” The credit goes to these four outstanding programs for coming together annually to launch the season.”

This year’s Classic will feature No. 10 Michigan State facing No. 1 Kansas, and No. 4 Duke facing No. 2 Kentucky on college basketball’s opening night from Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Nov. 6 (7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., ESPN). The event returns to Madison Square Garden in 2019.

 

Future Champions Classic Matchups
2019 (New York City)
Kansas vs. Duke
Michigan State vs. Kentucky

 

2020 (Chicago)
Michigan State vs. Duke
Kansas vs. Kentucky

 

2021 (New York City)
Kansas vs. Michigan State
Kentucky vs. Duke

 

2022 (Indianapolis)
Kentucky vs. Michigan State
Duke vs. Kansas

 

History