The CareSource Invitationals are set to transform the sports landscape of Ohio with an unprecedented outdoor college basketball doubleheader scheduled for October 7, 2026.
A Game for a Cause
The event will feature the state’s top rivalries — Cincinnati versus Ohio State and Xavier versus Dayton — on the recently renovated courts of the Lindner Family Tennis Center, a venue that has invested $260 million in upgrades and is now preparing to host its first major basketball showcase.
Scott Markovich, senior vice president of community engagement at CareSource, emphasized the organization’s commitment to integrating health advocacy with sports, noting that the Invitationals represent a new frontier in public‑health outreach.
Beyond the competition, the tournament serves a dual purpose: it seeks to generate both awareness and financial support for adolescent and young adult mental‑health programs, particularly initiatives focused on suicide prevention.
CareSource, a nonprofit managed‑care organization that insures more than two million members, has already contributed over $500,000 to mental‑health charities through previous editions of the Invitationals and will amplify its impact with high‑school pep rallies that encourage open conversations about mental wellness.
Ticket sales will commence through the official ticket offices of the four participating universities before being opened to the general public, a strategy designed to reward campus communities first.
In the event that anyone experiences a crisis, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing or texting 988, underscoring the broader commitment to mental‑health safety.
The initiative reflects a growing trend of leveraging major sports events to drive social good, blending the excitement of college basketball with a mission that resonates across Ohio and beyond.