ESPN Events’ State Farm Champions Classic season-opening men’s college basketball event featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Nov. 12, 2024.
The neutral site doubleheader that debuted in 2011 and features four of the most accomplished programs in the history of the sport returns to Atlanta for a second time. The event was previously held at the Georgia Dome in 2012. The 2025 venue will be announced at a later date.
“We’re very excited to bring one of the signature events of the men’s college basketball season back to Atlanta for the first time in more than a decade,” said Stephanie Grant, director of events and basketball operations, ESPN Events. “State Farm Arena is a world-class facility and a perfect venue for this event considering State Farm’s partnership in the Champions Classic since its inception.”
Added Trey Feazell, Executive Vice President of Arena Programming for State Farm Arena: “After seeing the success of the State Farm Champions Classic over the years, we couldn’t be more excited to be hosting this one-day college basketball showcase at State Farm Arena. The success and tradition at these four schools is second to none. We are excited to welcome these great fanbases to Atlanta and State Farm Arena.”
The 2023 State Farm Champions Classic on Tuesday night featured No. 9 Duke vs. No. 18 Michigan State on ESPN, followed by No. 17 Kentucky vs. No. 1 Kansas at the United Center in Chicago.
State Farm® has been the title sponsor of the Champions Classic since the inaugural doubleheader in 2011.
Tickets for the 2024 State Farm Champions Classic will go on sale in the fall. Fans can sign up for first access through the event pre-sale at https://espnevents.com/champions-classic/pre-sale-sign-up.
Future State Farm Champions Classic matchups:
Nov. 12, 2024 (Atlanta)
Kansas vs. Michigan State
Kentucky vs. Duke
2025 (date/site TBD)
Michigan State vs. Kentucky
Kansas vs. Duke
Champions Classic History:
Champions Classic games annually rank among the most-viewed college basketball games of the season. The 2022 event averaged 1.8 million viewers on ESPN.
The event features three of the top four all-time winningest men’s college basketball programs: Kansas (first), Kentucky (second) and Duke (fourth), while Michigan State has made 25 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, the second-longest active streak in Division I.
Since the Champions Classic began in 2011, all four teams have reached the Final Four at least once, with Kentucky (2011-12), Duke (2014-15) and Kansas (2021-22) winning national titles.
The four participating programs have combined for 19 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships (since 1939): Kentucky (eight), Duke (five), Kansas (four) and Michigan State (two).
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