The Wolfpack will travel to Nashville on Sunday, Dec. 6, to open a doubleheader at Bridgestone Arena against the Tennessee Volunteers, marking the first meeting of the 2026‑27 non‑conference slate for both programs.
A Homecoming for Gainey
For head coach Justin Gainey, the contest carries a personal resonance. Having spent five seasons at Tennessee — four as associate head coach — Gainey will be facing his former program for the first time since his move to Raleigh, adding a narrative layer to an already compelling matchup.
Ticket pre‑sales for the event are slated to begin on Wednesday, June 3, at 10 a.m. Eastern, with a public on‑sale scheduled for Friday, June 5, at the same time. The exact start times and broadcast assignments for the two games will be announced later.
Series History and Recent Results
The series between the two schools stands at 6‑5 in favor of NC State, with the last encounter occurring on Dec. 16, 2023, in San Antonio, where 12th‑ranked Tennessee edged the Pack 79‑70. That game preceded a historic run that saw NC State capture the ACC Championship and advance to the Final Four.
While the remainder of NC State’s non‑conference schedule for the 2026‑27 season remains undecided, the Volunteers game provides an early test against a program that has consistently been among the nation’s elite.
Ticket Availability and Market Impact
Fans eager to secure seats can do so through the official channels of both universities, with pre‑sale access tied to membership and alumni status. The doubleheader will be staged at Bridgestone Arena, a venue known for its basketball pedigree and central location in Music City.
The upcoming clash also underscores the growing footprint of college basketball in the Southeast, as conferences and institutions leverage high‑profile non‑conference matchups to boost regional interest and commercial partnerships.