Michigan State’s basketball program will meet Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, marking the latest chapter in a series that began with a 69‑66 victory for the Spartans earlier this month.
Tickets for the contest go on sale October 1 at DetroitHoops.com, and the game is slated to tip off at 4:30 p.m., following the traditional Lions‑Bears matchup and the city’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Tom Izzo, the longtime Michigan State coach, said he is eager to test his team against a program he describes as one of the nation’s strongest, adding that the atmosphere in Detroit always feels special on the holiday.
A Holiday Tradition Renewed
The upcoming clash continues a home‑and‑home arrangement announced in August 2025; after the Detroit game, the Spartans will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, during the 2027‑28 season to complete the series.
Historically, Michigan State holds a 3‑0 record against Arkansas, including a win in Izzo’s inaugural season at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and the two coaches have split their six career meetings.
With the holiday spotlight on college basketball, the matchup promises another memorable night of competition, drawing fans from across the Midwest and the South to celebrate the sport.