The 2026-27 Kentucky Basketball schedule has been released.
Thanks to the NCAA’s change to preseason exhibition contests, Kentucky will play three Division I teams before regular-season play begins, all being at Rupp Arena. Following Big Blue Madness on October 2, the Wildcats play their first exhibition foe on October 16 vs. Little Rock, led by former Kentucky great Travis Ford.
On October 23, Kentucky will play host to Texas Tech. Then on October 28, they’ll host UCF.
After that, the real fun begins
for the Wildcats.
The regular season tips off on November 3rd when Kentucky hosts the Manhattan Jaspers inside Rupp Arena, officially beginning Year 3 of the Mark Pope era.
After a November 6th clash with the James Madison Dukes, the Wildcats get their first major test of the season when they face the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2026 Champions Classic, which takes place at the United Center in Chicago on November 10th
Kentucky’s next major test comes November 20th vs. the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This will be the second meeting of the two schools’ new series, which currently runs through the 2028-29 season.
The Wildcats then return home to host Wichita State on November 27, bringing up memories of the program’s two memorable NCAA Tournament matchups in 2014 and 2017.
A challenging December slate will begin with Kentucky hitting the road to face a potential top-10 Virginia Cavaliers team in Charlottesville.
The annual Bluegrass rivalry game happens on December 12th when Kentucky plays host to another top-25 squad, the Louisville Cardinals.
The annual CBS Sports Classic tips off December 19th at Madison Square Garden in New York, with Kentucky facing the North Carolina Tar Heels and new head coach Mike Malone.
SEC play gets started on January 2nd against the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, followed by the SEC home opener vs. the Ole Miss Rebels.
The Wildcats end regular-season play in Gainesville on March 6th vs. the Florida Gators, the likely preseason No. 1 team.
The following week, SEC Tournament play runs from March 10-14 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Then comes the 2027 NCAA Tournament, which Kentucky hopes will be a special one for what could be a preseason top-15 Wildcat squad.
So, what are your thoughts on the 2026-27 Kentucky Wildcats schedule? Sound off in the comments section!
2026-27 Kentucky Basketball Schedule
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