Introduction to the Kentucky Men’s Basketball Schedule
The 2025-26 Kentucky men’s basketball schedule has been finalized, with the Southeastern Conference announcing the dates, tip times, and television designations for all league schedules. This season promises to be exciting, with the Wildcats playing 21 regular-season games against NCAA Tournament teams from the previous year.
Notable Matchups and Games
The Wildcats will face seven teams that made it to the Sweet 16 last year and five teams that reached the Elite Eight, including two matchups against the defending National Champion Florida Gators. Some notable games include the Champions Classic against Michigan State, the ACC/SEC Challenge against North Carolina, and the CBS Sports Classic against St. John’s.
Complete Schedule
| The complete schedule for the Kentucky men’s basketball team is as follows: | Date | Opponent/Event | Location | TV Network | Tip Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 11 | Big Blue Madness | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 6 p.m. | |
| Oct. 17 | Blue-White | Historic Memorial Coliseum | SECN+ | 7 p.m. | |
| Oct. 24 | Purdue (exhibition) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SEC Network | 6 p.m. | |
| Oct. 30 | Georgetown (exhibition) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 4 | Nicholls (BBN United Tipoff Classic) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 7 | Valparaiso (BBN United Tipoff Classic) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 11 | at Louisville | KFC Yum! Center (Louisville, Ky.) | ESPN | 8 p.m. | |
| Nov. 14 | Eastern Illinois (BBN United Tipoff Classic) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 18 | vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic) | Madison Square Garden (New York) | ESPN | 6:30 p.m. | |
| Nov. 21 | Loyola (Md.) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 26 | Tennessee Tech | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SEC Network | 7 p.m. | |
| Dec. 2 | North Carolina (ACC/SEC Challenge) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN | 9:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 5 | vs. Gonzaga | Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, Tenn.) | ESPN2 | 7 p.m. | |
| Dec. 9 | North Carolina Central | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SEC Network | 7 p.m. | |
| Dec. 13 | Indiana | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 20 | vs. St. John’s (CBS Sports Classic) | State Farm Arena (Atlanta) | CBS | 12:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 23 | Bellarmine | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SECN+ | 1 p.m. | |
| Jan. 3 | at Alabama (SEC) | Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) | ESPN | 1 p.m. | |
| Jan. 7 | Missouri (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN2 | 7 p.m. | |
| Jan. 10 | Mississippi State (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SEC Network | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Jan. 14 | at LSU (SEC) | Pete Maravich Assembly Center (Baton Rouge, La.) | SEC Network | 7 p.m. | |
| Jan. 17 | at Tennessee (SEC) | Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.) | ESPN | Noon | |
| Jan. 21 | Texas (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | SEC Network | 7 p.m. | |
| Jan. 24 | Ole Miss (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN/ESPN2 | Noon | |
| Jan. 27 | at Vanderbilt (SEC) | Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.) | ESPN | 9 p.m. | |
| Jan. 31 | at Arkansas (SEC) | Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.) | ESPN | 6:30 p.m. | |
| Feb. 4 | Oklahoma (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN2 | 7 p.m. | |
| Feb. 7 | Tennessee (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Feb. 14 | at Florida (SEC) | Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center (Gainesville, Fla.) | ABC | 3 p.m. | |
| Feb. 17 | Georgia (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU | 9 p.m. | |
| Feb. 21 | at Auburn (SEC) | Neville Arena (Auburn, Ala.) | ESPN/ESPN2 | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Feb. 24 | at South Carolina (SEC) | Colonial Life Arena (Columbia, S.C.) | SEC Network | 7 p.m. | |
| Feb. 28 | Vanderbilt (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN/ESPN2 | 2 p.m. | |
| March 3 | at Texas A&M (SEC) | Reed Arena (Bryan-College Station, Texas) | ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU | 7 p.m. | |
| March 7 | Florida (SEC) | Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center | ESPN/ESPN2 | 4 p.m. |
Ticket Information and Season Outlook
Details on regular-season home games for men’s basketball will be announced soon, including the launch of Kentucky’s official resale marketplace powered by Ticketmaster. Season ticket holders are reminded that exhibition games against Purdue and Georgetown are included in their season ticket packages. The Wildcats are coming off a successful season, with a 24-12 record and wins over eight Associated Press Top 15 teams. With a strong returning core and a highly-ranked transfer class, the team is poised for another exciting season.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 Kentucky men’s basketball schedule is set, with a challenging slate of games against top opponents. With a talented roster and a strong coaching staff, the Wildcats are ready to take on the best teams in the country. Fans can look forward to an exciting season, with plenty of opportunities to catch the team in action at Rupp Arena and on the road.
