The University of Virginia men’s basketball program released its 2026‑27 non‑conference schedule on Thursday, outlining a relatively short home slate complemented by a series of high‑profile neutral‑site contests across the United States and the Caribbean.
Schedule Highlights
The season opens with a preseason exhibition against Vanderbilt on September 27 in Charleston, South Carolina, before returning to Charlottesville for home games versus Drexel on November 3, Northeastern on November 6, Bucknell on November 10 and Old Dominion on November 17. UVA will also travel to Washington, D.C., to face Arkansas at Capital One Arena on November 8, and will host Maryland on November 13.
In mid‑November the Cavaliers head to the Bahamas for the Battle for Atlantis tournament, where they will meet Marquette on November 25 and Xavier on November 27. The schedule then shifts northward to New York City for a December 20 showdown with UConn at Madison Square Garden, while home contests include a December 2 game against Kentucky and a December 8 matchup with Bethune‑Cookman.
Coach and his staff said the diverse slate offers a balanced mix of competition and travel, providing valuable experience as the team prepares for ACC play. The schedule, stretching from the coastal charm of Charleston to the bustling courts of New York City, underscores the program’s commitment to rigorous non‑conference testing.