A Holiday Showcase for College Basketball
Michigan State University’s men’s and women’s basketball squads are set to face Gonzaga University in a holiday doubleheader on December 19, 2026, at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley of California.
The matchup is part of the 2026 Acrisure Series, a premier holiday event that has become a staple of college basketball’s early‑season schedule.
Greg Williams, chairman and chief executive of Acrisure, said the company is thrilled to host the games, emphasizing its commitment to excellence and community engagement.
Coach Tom Izzo of the Spartans expressed excitement about returning to Palm Springs and highlighted the arena’s state‑of‑the‑art facilities, while also noting the support he receives from Greg and Dawn Williams, who sit on the arena’s leadership team.
Robyn Fralick, head coach of the Michigan State women’s team, added her own gratitude toward the Williams family and looked forward to the challenge of meeting Gonzaga, a program led by coach Mark Few.
Ticket sales for the showcase will open on July 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.com and at the arena’s box office. Each ticket grants admission to both games under a single package.
This will mark the second time the Spartans have appeared in the Acrisure Classic, having previously fallen to Arizona in a close 74‑68 contest on November 23, 2024. The women’s team opened its 2024‑25 season with wins over Cal and Vanderbilt.