The 2026 CBS Sports Classic will culminate in a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden on December 19, bringing together four of college basketball’s most storied programs in a single, marquee night of competition.
Kansas, the newest entrant to the tournament, opens the slate against Ohio State at noon, a matchup that marks the twelfth meeting of the series and extends the Jayhawks’ six‑game winning streak. Later that afternoon, North Carolina will face Kentucky, a rivalry that has seen the Tar Heels hold a 25‑18 historical edge while the Wildcats own a 4‑1 record in previous CBS Classics.
New York’s basketball legacy takes center stage
Madison Square Garden will host the Classic for the third time in six seasons, underscoring its role as a premier stage for marquee college basketball contests and reinforcing New York’s status as a perennial hub for the sport.