Kansas Athletics Announces Late Night in the Phog Details

The University of Kansas Athletics Department has released details for the 41st edition of Late Night in the Phog.

Late Night in the Phog is set for Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. CT, inside historic Allen Fieldhouse. All gates will open at 5 p.m., and fans will be able to enjoy activities on the concourse, including a kids’ zone and a basketball equipment display featuring uniforms, shoes, balls, and travel gear.

The night will be split into a few different parts, beginning with the women’s basketball team scrimmaging. The Lady Jayhawks return their top six scorers from last season, including All-Big 12 selections S’Mya Nichols, Elle Evans, and Regan Williams. The Jayhawks are also bringing in the No. 7 recruiting class in the country for the 2025-26 season, highlighted by five-star prospects Jailya Davis and Keely Parks.  

Following the women’s scrimmage, the Late Night in the Phog halftime will feature entertainers, videos, dances with the Rock Chalk spirit squad, and the KU band.  One of the top fan favorite activities returns: two individuals will have the opportunity to win $10,000 from men’s basketball coach Bill Self by making a half-court shot. In recent years, we have seen Self pony up that big check after watching an individual make the shot. Will it happen again this year?

After the halftime festivities, the men’s team will jump on the court for a scrimmage. This will be the first look at the 2025-26 KU men’s team that features returning players Flory Bidunga, Jamari McDowell, and Elmarko Jackson. However, there will be a lot of new faces on this year’s squad. Self welcomes eight newcomers to the team, featuring freshman Darryn Peterson, the top-rated recruit in the nation, and four upperclassmen transfers in Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson, Nginyu Ngala, and Tre White. Peterson is the third No. 1-ranked national recruit to play for Self at Kansas, joining Andrew Wiggins and Josh Jackson, and is surrounded by a talented freshman class this year, including Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Bryson Tiller, Samis Calderon, and Corbin Allen.

Following the men’s scrimmage will be the Late Night After Party, a KU student-only dance party on the Allen Fieldhouse court featuring dueling DJs. This is a new feature for Late Night and one that hopes to bring students and players together for a fun atmosphere after the scrimmage ends. There will be no musical artist this year. 

Late Night will continue to be a free event for fans. However, tickets will need to be claimed online in advance. All seating outside of the student section will be reserved. 

Here is the timeline for acquiring Late Night tickets: 

Monday, September 29: Oread & Hall of Fame Donors and Student Combo Pass Holders

Tuesday, September 30: Champion & Olympian Donors

Wednesday, October 1: Campanile to Legend Donors

Thursday, October 2: MVP to Outland Donors, Faculty/Staff, and General Student Body

Friday, October 3: General Public

Oread, Hall of Fame, and Champion Donors may request up to six tickets. Olympian to Legend level donors up to four tickets. MVP to Outland level donors and Faculty/Staff can reserve up to two tickets. All of this is based on ticket availability according to KU Athletics. 

It is shaping up to be another fun Late Night at the Phog for Kansas basketball fans who are hoping to see the Jayhawks make a deeper run in March than the past couple of years that have been clouded by early exits. If Peterson and company can live up to expectations, this should be another exciting season in Lawrence.