The University of Pittsburgh’s men’s basketball program has locked in a home‑and‑home series with Butler University, slated to begin in 2026 at Butler’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse and conclude in 2027 at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.
A rivalry that spans generations
This matchup will mark the 15th meeting between the two schools, a milestone that underscores the longevity of a competition that first intensified in the late 1920s when all twelve earlier contests were held in Indianapolis. Butler currently holds a slight edge in the all‑time series, leading 8‑6, a fact that adds extra intrigue to the upcoming contests.
The series is not new territory for either school. In 2011 the two programs collided in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, where Butler edged Pitt 71‑70 in a game that propelled the Bulldogs to the national championship game, where they fell to UConn. Two years later, Pitt turned the tables in the College Basketball Invitational semifinals, defeating Washington State to claim the CBI title in a best‑two‑out‑of‑three format.
Beyond the series: non‑conference slate
Both teams will use the series as a centerpiece of a broader non‑conference schedule that also features games against Oklahoma, DePaul and Missouri for Pitt, while Butler will continue to navigate a demanding slate that the ACC has already mapped out for the 2026‑27 league season.