Kentucky Men’s Basketball Announces Annual Louisville Clash Will Open 2025-26 Season

Kentucky men’s basketball announced on Wednesday that its annual rivalry game with Louisville will open both teams’ regular seasons, taking place on Nov. 11 inside the KFC Yum! Center.

The announcement of the scheduling officially locks in seven of the UK’s non-conference games — including an exhibition against Purdue — for next season, with two confirmed games still being TBD.

The Wildcats will face off with Purdue on Oct. 24, Louisville to open the season on Nov. 11, Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Nov. 18, Gonzaga in Nashville on Dec. 5, Indiana on Dec. 13, St. John’s in the CBS Sports Classic on Dec. 20 and Bellarmine on Dec. 23. Contests against NC Central and in the ACC-SEC Challenge do not have dates yet.

Kentucky and Louisville have one of the most prolific rivalries in college basketball, with the feud even stretching to other sports as well, being a mainstay in anything from women’s basketball to men’s soccer, with the football rivalry being dubbed the “Governor’s Cup.”

Since 2010, barring two NCAA Tournament clashes, the game has always taken place in December in one of either team’s home arenas. The home site alternates year to year.

Last season, UK Head Coach Mark Pope earned his first coaching win over Louisville in his first opportunity to do so, besting the Cardinals 93-85 inside Rupp Arena. It was a return to form for the rivalry with UofL Head Coach Pat Kelsey breathing life into a program that was all but dead under former coach Kenny Payne.

Kentucky has won the last three meetings and 10 of the last 12, holding a 40-17 all-time record against Louisville.

When Louisville had Payne, UK won by 19 or more points in both of his seasons, both home and away.

The last time the Cardinals picked up a victory over UK was in 2020 inside the KFC Yum! Center, with Louisville winning 62-59.

The 2025 edition of the rivalry will kickstart both teams’ seasons with a marquee matchup, with most “way too early” top 25s putting both squads within the top 10 after stellar transfer portal cycles.

UK will be heavily graded based on whether or not Otega Oweh decides to withdraw from the NBA Draft, but, assuming he does, both Louisville and Kentucky, on paper, will have top 10 rosters.

All in all, the announcement of the date left many frustrated with the change of normalcy from December meetings, but is guaranteed to start the season with a massive showdown just days after Purdue and Kentucky are scheduled to meet in one of the largest preseason matches in the sport.