The 2026 Cancun Challenge college basketball tournament will take place from November 26 to 28 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico, a resort destination that will host a compact but high‑profile slate of games.
Kansas will be part of the field, opening its participation against Washington State on November 26 and then meeting Miami (Ohio) on November 27. The Jayhawks join a lineup that also features Minnesota, Missouri State and Cincinnati, promising a mix of Mid‑American and regional competition.
A New Chapter for the Jayhawks
This marks the first time the University of Kansas will compete in the Cancun Challenge, a tournament that celebrates its 22nd edition for the women’s side and its 20th for the men’s side. The event adds to a busy non‑conference slate that includes eight home games at Allen Fieldhouse, beginning with a matchup against Omaha on November 3.
Beyond the Riviera Maya, Kansas will travel to neutral sites in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Kansas City, Missouri, to face South Dakota State and a yet‑to‑be‑named opponent, respectively. These road tests are designed to sharpen the team before conference play.
Fans can also look ahead to the 2026‑27 women’s basketball season, for which season tickets will go on sale in August, giving supporters an early chance to secure seats for the upcoming campaign.