Purdue, Tennessee to Renew Basketball Rivalry in 2026-27

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Boilermakers and Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball teams will face off in a two-year, home-and-home series starting in the 2026-27 season. This marks the first time the schools will play on campus since 1981.

The series opener will take place at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette on Dec. 12, 2026, followed by a game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Dec. 11, 2027. Purdue is currently ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, while Tennessee is ranked No. 18.

Both teams boast impressive rankings in NCAA history. Tennessee holds the second-longest streak of being ranked in the AP Top 25 at 81 weeks, while Purdue comes in third at 60 weeks. Since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Purdue has appeared in the AP Top 10 for 62 weeks, the second most in the nation, while Tennessee has been ranked for 50 weeks, placing fifth.

Purdue leads the all-time series against Tennessee 5-2, including victories in their last three meetings. This includes an Elite Eight matchup in 2024, where Purdue defeated Tennessee 72-66. Notably, two of Purdue’s wins over Tennessee have come in NCAA Tournament play, during the Sweet 16 in 2019 and the Elite Eight in 2024.

The rivalry has grown stronger in recent years, as both teams were ranked in the top 15 during four of the last five encounters. The two programs have faced each other seven times since 1980, with the last five games held at neutral sites. The historical matchups have drawn significant attention, particularly their close finishes, with all four games in which Tennessee has played Purdue under Coach Rick Barnes decided by six points or fewer.

This series will add to Tennessee’s schedule as recent reports indicate they are also in the process of finalizing a matchup against Illinois, along with previously announced games against other top-tier programs. Both teams are known for scheduling tough opponents to prepare for postseason play.