The State Farm Champions Classic, a highly anticipated season-opening men’s college basketball event, is set to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on November 12, 2024. This neutral site doubleheader features four of the most accomplished programs in the history of the sport: Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State. It marks the event’s return to Atlanta after a previous stint at the Georgia Dome in 2012. The venue for the 2025 event will be announced at a later date.
Stephanie Grant, director of events and basketball operations at ESPN Events, expressed excitement about bringing this signature event back to Atlanta, stating, “State Farm Arena is a world-class facility and a perfect venue for this event considering State Farm’s partnership in the Champions Classic since its inception.” Trey Feazell, Executive Vice President of Arena Programming for State Farm Arena, also emphasized the success and tradition of the participating schools and the excitement of hosting this one-day college basketball showcase.
Tonight will feature the 13th annual State Farm Champions Classic, which includes highly ranked teams such as No. 9 Duke facing No. 18 Michigan State and No. 17 Kentucky taking on No. 1 Kansas at the United Center in Chicago. This yearly event consistently garners high viewership, with the 2022 edition averaging 1.8 million viewers on ESPN.
Since its inception in 2011, the Champions Classic has seen all four participating teams reach the Final Four at least once, with Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas also securing national titles. Combined, these programs have an impressive 19 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships, with Kentucky leading the way with eight titles.
The State Farm Arena, home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, is an award-winning venue that prioritizes fan experience, sustainability, and service. It has received recognition for its food pricing, premium restaurant options, and environmentally friendly practices. In 2022, it became the world’s first venue to earn TRUE Platinum certification for zero waste. The venue consistently ranks among the top 10 concert and event venues worldwide, and it hosts approximately 175 events and close to 2 million guests annually.
ESPN Events, the division of ESPN responsible for organizing the Champions Classic, owns and operates a diverse portfolio of collegiate sporting events. With over 33 events scheduled for 2023, including college football games, bowl games, basketball events, and a college softball event, ESPN Events brings together over 20 Division I conferences and attracts more than 650,000 annual attendees.
Fans interested in attending the 2024 State Farm Champions Classic can look forward to ticket sales in the fall. They can sign up for first access through the event pre-sale at https://espnevents.com/champions-classic/pre-sale-sign-up. The matchups for the 2025 event will feature Michigan State vs. Kentucky and Kansas vs. Duke.
