The Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt Conference have extended their basketball challenge through the 2028‑29 season, ensuring a slate of competitive games between twelve men’s and twelve women’s teams from each league.
A cross‑conference showcase
Each participating school will host one game and travel to another each year, creating a balanced home‑and‑away format that highlights regional rivalries and diverse playing styles.
All of the contests will be carried live on ESPN’s television and streaming platforms, giving the matchups national visibility and a broader audience than ever before.
Scheduling will be managed by Ordinal Sports Group, which will apply NET data, geographic proximity and historical matchup frequency to craft the most logical pairings.
The 2026‑27 season opens with games on November 2 and February 6, while the 2027‑28 campaign begins on November 8 and concludes on February 5, and the final year of the extension will see games on November 6 and February 3.
Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, commissioner of the Mid‑American Conference, said the partnership offers valuable exposure for member institutions and creates meaningful competition outside conference play. Keith Gill, commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, added that the challenge has a long history of producing top‑tier non‑conference matchups.
Looking ahead
The extended agreement not only enriches the schedules of the student‑athletes but also strengthens the regional identity of the two conferences, fostering new fan traditions and providing additional recruiting exposure. Fans can expect a steady stream of high‑stakes games that will be closely followed across social media and campus communities, marking a new chapter in mid‑major college basketball.