The college basketball world will turn its eyes to Birmingham on October 22, when the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers take the court for a preseason clash that hasn't been scheduled in more than four decades. The game, billed as "The Feud, Presented by Shipt," will be held at Legacy Arena and is being billed as a celebration of the deep‑rooted rivalry that defines Alabama sports culture.
A Rivalry Re‑Imagined
Legacy Arena will be split down the middle, with Auburn supporters occupying one side and Alabama fans the other, creating a visual echo of the historic contest. Ticket sales will kick off with a brief pre‑sale window for each school’s athletic office from August 27 through August 31, after which the general public can purchase tickets on September 1. Fans must secure their seats through the designated Ticketmaster links for their respective teams to guarantee placement on the correct side of the arena.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats emphasized the matchup’s broader significance, noting that the game represents more than just a warm‑up for the season. "It’s a chance to showcase the state’s basketball passion to a national audience and to honor a rivalry that has shaped college basketball in the South for generations," Oats said in a press release.
Auburn’s head coach Steven Pearl offered a complementary perspective, framing the contest as a valuable opportunity for his squad to fine‑tune strategies before the regular season begins. "Playing in this environment will give our players a unique test and help us build chemistry early on," Pearl remarked.
The event is being sponsored by Shipt, the Birmingham‑based delivery service that has positioned the game as a platform to energize fans across the country. By partnering with the schools, Shipt hopes to leverage its nationwide delivery network to amplify the excitement surrounding the matchup and to highlight the role of local businesses in national sporting events.
Beyond the pageantry, the game is expected to draw considerable national attention, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Alabama‑Auburn rivalry. As the first preseason meeting in over 40 years, the contest promises to blend tradition with fresh spectacle, setting the tone for both programs as they head into the new season.