ESPN’s State Farm Champions Classic Men’s Basketball Doubleheader Renews through 2019


Champions Renewal

Marquee event pits four of the nation’s best – Duke, Kansas, Kentucky & Michigan State
Returns to Chicago, Indianapolis & New York City

The State Farm Champions Classic – an early-season neutral-site doubleheader featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State – will continue through the 2019 season. The doubleheader, which began in 2011, will be played in Chicago (2017), Indianapolis (2018) and New York City (2019). The marquee matchups will continue to be the culminating games of ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon that provides more than 24 hours of consecutive basketball coverage to mark the start of the college basketball season.

“We are pleased to extend the Champions Classic for a new three-year term into the 2019 college basketball season,” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president, ESPN Events. “This marquee event will continue to showcase four teams that represent the very best of college basketball and its rich history.”

This year’s sixth annual State Farm Champions Classic will be played on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, from Madison Square Garden in New York City featuring Kentucky vs. Michigan State (7 p.m.) and Duke vs. Kansas (9:30 p.m.). Tickets will go on sale in October, information to be announced at a later date.

Future Champions Classic Matchups

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 (United Center, Chicago)

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 (Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 (Madison Square Garden, New York City)

 

Team Notes

 

Ratings

Previous Results

Year City Matchups
2011 New York City Duke 74 vs. Michigan State 69

Kentucky 75 vs. Kansas 65

2012 Atlanta Michigan State 67 vs. Kansas 64

Duke 75 vs. Kentucky 68

2013 Chicago Michigan State 78 vs. Kentucky 74

Kansas 94 vs. Duke 83

2014 Indianapolis Duke 81 vs. Michigan State 71

Kentucky 72 vs. Kansas 40

2015 Chicago Kentucky 74 vs. Duke 63

Michigan State 79 vs. Kansas 73

For more information about the State Farm Champions Classic, visit the official website or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.