Nation's premier Thanksgiving college basketball event features 26 games from 26 elite programs across six days in the Coachella Valley

GREATER PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – University of Portland men's basketball will take part in the 2026 Acrisure Series, the nation's premier Thanksgiving college basketball event, hosted at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley this November 21-26. The Pilots will take part in the opening game of the event on Saturday, Nov. 21 against Fordham at 11 a.m. and then face Cal Baptist on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 4 p.m.

The 2026 Acrisure Series is presented by Acrisure, Visit Greater Palm Springs and Spotlight 29 Casino. A total of 26 Division I programs will take part in 26 games over six days at Acrisure Arena.

Portland returns six players from last year's squad that won 15 games, including an 87-80 upset victory over No. 6 Gonzaga late in the season, and a pair of games at the WCC Tournament. Head Coach Shantay Legans added a talented group of nine newcomers to the mix.

The Acrisure Series field features one of the deepest collections of programs assembled anywhere in the country during Thanksgiving week, including Arizona State, California Baptist, Colorado, Fordham, Grand Canyon, Illinois State, Loyola Chicago, Loyola Marymount, LSU, Nevada, Oregon State, Portland, Saint Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, San José State, Santa Clara, Seattle, SMU, South Carolina, Stanford, Tulsa, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, USC and Utah State.

College basketball fans will experience elite matchups, championship games, alumni gatherings, premium hospitality experiences, and one of the sport's premier Thanksgiving week traditions in the heart of Greater Palm Springs.

"The Acrisure Series has become one of the premier events in college basketball, and we believe this year's field is the strongest we've assembled," said Dan Shell, President of Total Sports Consulting and Co-Tournament Director. "Bringing together 26 outstanding programs for six consecutive days creates an incredible experience for student-athletes, coaches and fans while continuing to establish Greater Palm Springs as one of the country's premier destinations for Thanksgiving college basketball. We are grateful to Acrisure, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Spotlight 29 Casino, Acrisure Arena and all of our partners for helping make this event possible."

Tickets for the 2026 Acrisure Series Thanksgiving Event go on sale Saturday, August 8 at 10:00 a.m. PT through Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena, and are also available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Exclusive presale opportunities for Acrisure Arena club members begin today.

"Sponsoring the Acrisure Series reflects our continued commitment to excellence, community engagement and creating memorable experiences," said Greg Williams, Chairman and CEO of Acrisure. "This event showcases elite collegiate basketball while bringing thousands of visitors to the Coachella Valley and continuing to elevate Acrisure Arena as one of the nation's premier destinations for major sporting events."

"The Acrisure Series has become one of the signature sporting events in Greater Palm Springs," said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. "Each November we welcome thousands of alumni, fans, families, and visitors from across the country, generating significant economic impact while showcasing everything our destination has to offer. We're excited to welcome another outstanding field this Thanksgiving."

"The Tribe has always believed in supporting events that strengthen our community and bring visitors to the Coachella Valley," said Darrell Mike, Chairman of Spotlight 29 Casino. "We're proud to continue our partnership with the Acrisure Series and help make Greater Palm Springs one of the premier destinations for college basketball."

2026 Acrisure Series Event Schedule
Saturday, November 21
11:00 a.m. PT – Fordham vs. Portland
1:30 p.m. PT – UC Irvine vs. San Diego
4:00 p.m. PT – California Baptist vs. Loyola Marymount

Sunday, November 22
11:00 a.m. PT – San Diego vs. Fordham
1:30 p.m. PT – UC Irvine vs. Loyola Marymount
4:00 p.m. PT – California Baptist vs. Portland
6:30 p.m. PT – Seattle vs. UC San Diego
9:00 p.m. PT – San José State vs. Loyola Chicago

Monday, November 23
11:00 a.m. PT – Tulsa vs. Oregon State
1:30 p.m. PT – Nevada vs. San Francisco
4:00 p.m. PT – Illinois State vs. Santa Clara
6:30 p.m. PT – Pod 4 Championship
9:00 p.m. PT – Pod 4 Third-Place Game

Tuesday, November 24
11:00 a.m. PT – Oregon State vs. San Francisco
1:30 p.m. PT – Tulsa vs. Illinois State
4:00 p.m. PT – Nevada vs. Santa Clara
6:30 p.m. PT – Grand Canyon vs. Saint Louis
9:00 p.m. PT – Stanford vs. Colorado

Wednesday, November 25
11:00 a.m. PT – Arizona State vs. LSU
1:30 p.m. PT – USC vs. South Carolina
4:00 p.m. PT – SMU vs. Utah State
6:30 p.m. PT – Pod 2 Championship
9:00 p.m. PT – Pod 2 Third-Place Game

Thursday, November 26
11:00 a.m. PT – South Carolina vs. Arizona State
1:30 p.m. PT – Utah State vs. USC
4:00 p.m. PT – SMU vs. LSU

Ticket Information
Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena. Tickets will also be available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Premium hospitality options, courtside seating, suites, and group sales opportunities will also be available.

Partner Hotel Information
Fans traveling to Palm Springs for the 2026 Acrisure Series can now book official partner hotel accommodations at both La Quinta Resort & Club and JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Both properties serve as premier host hotels for the Acrisure Series and provide fans, alumni, donors, and supporters with a first-class Palm Springs experience throughout the event weekend. These partner hotels are also where participating teams stay, creating a unique opportunity for fans to stay with the teams and be part of the full event atmosphere. Special fan rates are now available through the official booking links attached here, allowing guests to secure preferred pricing while staying at two of the top resort destinations in the Coachella Valley. With luxury accommodations, premium amenities, and close proximity to Acrisure Arena, both properties offer the ideal home base for the weekend.

Partner Hotel Fan Rate Links
La Quinta: https://book.passkey.com/go/ThanksgivingFanRate
JW Marriott: https://book.passkey.com/e/51259928

Follow on Social Media
Instagram: @AcrisureSeries
X: @AcrisureSeries
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