Sponsored Sponsored content 2026 Acrisure Series brings top college basketball back to the desert

Twenty-six Division I men’s basketball programs will play 26 games over six days at Acrisure Arena from Saturday, Nov. 21 through Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, when the 2026 Acrisure Series returns to the Coachella Valley.

Organizers bill it as the nation’s premier Thanksgiving week college basketball event, and this year’s field includes Power 4 programs Arizona State, Colorado, LSU, SMU, South Carolina, Stanford and USC. Defending champion Stanford is back for a third straight year, looking to repeat after a buzzer-beating title run in 2025.

Looking back: Stanford’s 2025 title and a trophy from Keith Dudum

Stanford left Acrisure Arena with a trophy last November after beating Minnesota 72-68 and then edging Saint Louis 78-77 in the championship game on Nov. 28, 2025. Benny Gealer won it with a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left, following an intentionally missed free throw.

The title was the Cardinal’s first multi-team event championship since the 2007 Basketball Travelers Classic. Chisom Okpara led Stanford with 19 points in the final, and Ebuka Okorie added 17.

After the game, Keith Dudum of Dudum Financial presented the championship trophy to the Cardinal. The moment, pictured above, shows Stanford’s players crowding around the cup and celebrating the program’s breakthrough win in the desert.

The 2026 field

The 26-team field is drawn from coast to coast: Arizona State, California Baptist, Colorado, Fordham, Grand Canyon, Illinois State, Loyola Chicago, Loyola Marymount, LSU, Nevada, Oregon State, Portland, Saint Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, San José State, Santa Clara, Seattle, SMU, South Carolina, Stanford, Tulsa, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, USC and Utah State.

“The Acrisure Series has become one of the premier events in college basketball, and we believe this year’s field is the strongest we’ve assembled,” said Dan Shell, president of Total Sports Consulting and Co-Tournament Director.

Stanford opens its four-team pod against Colorado on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 9 p.m., then meets either Grand Canyon or Saint Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 25. That sets up a possible rematch of last year’s title game against the Billikens. Stanford’s entire pod will air on CBS Sports Network.

Schedule

All times are Pacific. Thanksgiving Day closes with three high-major matchups: South Carolina vs. Arizona State, Utah State vs. USC, and SMU vs. LSU.

Tickets and travel

Tickets start at $25 plus fees and are available here at Ticketmaster.com and the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Premium hospitality, courtside seats, suites and group packages are also offered.

La Quinta Resort & Club and JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa are the official partner hotels, and both host the participating teams. The 2026 Acrisure Series is presented by Acrisure, Visit Greater Palm Springs and Spotlight 29 Casino.