UK, Virginia Square Off in the Sprouts Farmers Market espnW Invitational in Nashville

LEXINGTON, Ky. – As the University of Kentucky women’s basketball brand grows so too does the stage. 

Coach Kenny Brooks and his Wildcats will face Virginia, a team also coming off a Sweet 16, in the Sprouts Farmer’s Market espnW Invitational on Sunday, Dec. 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.  

Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks (Photo by Jamie H. Vaught)

The two teams will meet for the third time in the all-time series, with Kentucky holding a 2-0 lead in the series. UK defeated UVA in a home-and-home series in back-to-back years, including 63-51 at home in 2018 and 50-47 on the road in 2019. 

The Wildcats’ matchup against the Cavaliers is one of two games featured in the Sprouts Farmers Market espnW Invitational, with the other game being UConn and LSU. 

The tip-off times and ESPN network designations will be announced at a later date.  

Tickets for the December 20 doubleheader at Bridgestone Arena are set to go on sale this fall. Fans can secure first access to the best seats now by registering for the pre-sale at www.espnWinvitational.com. 

The Kentucky-Virginia contest is the fourth game announcement for the Wildcats going into 2026-27, all of which happen to be ACC opponents. Virginia now joins NC State, Clemson, and Louisville in the slate. The Kentucky program will add numerous contests to its schedule in the coming weeks.