Rivalry Renewed
Virginia and Old Dominion have agreed to a two‑year home‑and‑home series that kicks off in the 2026‑27 season, with the inaugural game scheduled for Nov. 15, 2026, in Norfolk. The Cavaliers will host the Monarchs before the teams travel to Charlottesville for the second meeting during the 2027‑28 campaign.
Virginia head coach Aaron Roussell described the arrangement as a prime opportunity to showcase the sport on a state‑wide stage and to reconnect with alumni who have long followed the rivalry that dates back to 1973.
The series adds another chapter to a rivalry that began in the early 1970s, when Virginia launched its first NCAA Division I women’s basketball program. Old Dominion currently leads the all‑time series 19‑16, and Virginia has taken the last two meetings, the most recent coming in overtime on Nov. 24, 2019.
The 2027‑28 contest will mark the third time the schools meet at John Paul Jones Arena, the venue that first opened its doors in 2006 for a historic matchup. That arena will once again serve as the backdrop for a game that promises to blend tradition with fresh excitement.
Fans and stakeholders alike anticipate that the renewed series will further cement women’s basketball’s profile in Virginia, offering both programs a chance to build on their legacies while engaging new audiences.