By Jim Carchidi
September 2, 2026
Schedules are set for the 2026 college basketball Hall of Fame Series and Orlando will be a major player. The Greater Orlando Sports Commission, in partnership with series owner Position Sports, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Orlando Venues, Orange County, and Visit Orlando, announced a three-year agreement to bring the event to Kia Center through 2028.
Marquee matchups
The Hall of Fame Series showcases several top collegiate basketball teams in neutral-site, non-conference matchups while celebrating the legacy of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The 2026 schedule begins on Nov. 2 and will span six days and five cities, including Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, Boston, and Phoenix.
Orlando games will take place at Kia Center on Dec. 12 and feature a doubleheader with the University of Florida facing Georgia Tech for the first time in nearly four decades. Florida Atlantic University (FAU) will face Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for only the second time since 2003.
Fanfare
Florida Head Coach Todd Golden says the series is an important part of the team’s non-conference schedule and is looking forward to the matchup and the location. “We’re excited to return to downtown Orlando where Gator Nation has such a strong presence,” he said. “Georgia Tech adds another ACC opponent with great history and tradition to our schedule, and Coach Cross certainly brings a winning track record in his first season leading that program.”
FAU Head Coach John Jakus said it’s an honor to participate in the series in the same year his mentor and friend, Gonzaga head coach Mark Few, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“VCU is a great program and this is certainly a special matchup of two programs that have experienced historic Final Four seasons,” he said.
“With Florida and FAU competing in a premier doubleheader at Kia Center, this event gives their students, faculty and alumni a unique opportunity to see two of the state’s top programs compete in downtown Orlando,” said Greater Orlando Sports Commission President & CEO Jason Siegel.
Tickets
The Dec. 12 doubleheader is expected to receive national television coverage with a partnership from the ESPN family of networks. Tickets are available at hofseries.com. Teams for the 2027 and 2028 events will be announced at a later date.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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