Get ready, Big Blue Nation—Kentucky’s 2025–26 basketball schedule is locked and it’s absolutely electric, packed with marquee matchups, heated rivalries, and the toughest tests across the board!
The Countdown Begins with Exhibitions:
Coach Mark Pope is ramping up the anticipation with two blockbuster exhibition games at Rupp Arena—Purdue on October 24 and Georgetown on October 30—setting the stage for what promises to be one of UK’s most exciting seasons yet.
Non-Conference Fireworks:
Regular season tips off November 4 with the opening game of the BBN United Tipoff Classic vs. Nicholls State, followed by Valparaiso on November 7.
The drama hits a fever pitch on November 11, when UK faces rival Louisville in a potential Top-10 showdown.
Just a week later, Kentucky battles Michigan State in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 18.
Home games ramp up with Loyola (MD) on November 21 and beloved Kentucky legend John Pelphrey’s Tennessee Tech on November 26.
December is a gauntlet of elite opponents: North Carolina (Dec 2) in the ACC/SEC Challenge, Gonzaga (Dec 5) in Nashville, North Carolina Central (Dec 9), Indiana’s long-awaited return (Dec 13), a high-profile CBS Classic with St. John’s (Dec 20), and Bellarmine (Dec 23) to cap off a blockbuster non-conference stretch.
SEC Gauntlet with Grit and Glory:
Conference play kicks off on January 3 at Alabama, followed by the home opener against Missouri on January 6–7. The Wildcats will face a season-long test but will enjoy nine home SEC games including matchups with Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Road warriors will clash with Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Florida (Feb 14). Kentucky will conclude the regular season at home on Senior Day, March 7, against defending national champ Florida.
Strength of Schedule That Demands Respect:
UK will face 21 teams that made the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including seven Sweet 16 squads and five Elite Eight programs. This is not just a schedule—it’s a statement of ambition.
Final Takeaway
Wildcat fans, buckle up. The 2025–26 schedule isn’t just tough—it’s a non-stop barrage of legendary battles and elite contenders, from early exhibitions to SEC devastation. Rupp Arena will thunder, and the road won’t give up easy. This is the gauntlet -blue nation, it’s time to conquer.
