EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana, in partnership with the Evansville Regional Sports Commission and presenting sponsor Old National Bank, have announced the inaugural River City Classic. Set for Saturday, November 7, the Purple Aces men's basketball team will face the Screaming Eagles in a 7 p.m. neutral site contest at the Ford Center.

---

River City Classic FAQ

---

Tickets for the public will be available for purchase July 15^th through the UE ticket office. Please click the link at the bottom of the release for information on how to reserve tickets.
 
The match-up marks the first regular-season Division I meeting between Evansville's two Division I men's basketball programs and provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the passion, pride, and tradition of Evansville basketball.
 
For Purple Aces fans, the River City Classic represents more than a game. It is an opportunity to unite the Evansville community, showcase the energy of the Ford Center, and create an electric atmosphere that captures the passion of Evansville basketball.
 
"Our community has wanted to see these two programs compete for a long time, and we're excited to provide that opportunity for our fans and student-athletes," said University of Evansville Head Coach David Ragland. "Playing at the Ford Center in an atmosphere that showcases the passion of Evansville basketball will be a tremendous experience. We know this game will generate a lot of excitement throughout the community, and we're looking forward to being a part of it."
 
"We are excited to give Purple Aces fans the opportunity to be part of a historic moment for our community," said University of Evansville Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth "Ziggy" Siegfried. "The Ford Center has become one of the great gathering places in Evansville, and we look forward to seeing Purple Aces fans create an electric atmosphere. This game celebrates the pride of our University, the tradition of Evansville basketball, and the excitement that comes from bringing our community together."
 
The River City Classic is the result of a collaborative effort between the University of Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana, the Evansville Regional Sports Commission, and Old National Bank. Representatives from both institutions worked closely together to create an event that celebrates the passion for college basketball throughout the Evansville community.
 
"The conversations surrounding this game were rooted in doing what is best for our student-athletes, our fans, and our community," Siegfried said. "I appreciate the collaborative spirit shown by USI, the Evansville Regional Sports Commission, and Old National Bank in bringing this event to life. This is a great example of what can happen when organizations come together to create something special for Evansville. In addition to creating an unforgettable experience, events like this generate meaningful support that helps position our Athletics Department for long-term success."
 
The collaboration between the two universities extends beyond the River City Classic, with additional details regarding a future women's basketball home-and-home series expected to be announced at a later date.
 
The River City Classic is currently scheduled as a one-year agreement for the 2026-27 season, with both institutions remaining open to evaluating future opportunities following this year's event.
 
For any inquiries regarding tickets for our game, we request donors, season ticket holders, and fans to please visit the link below to reserve your seats in our UE section today. Any season ticket holder that has at least 50% payment or more into the UE athletics ticket office for their UE Men's Basketball season tickets by Aug. 28th (renewal deadline) will be eligible for ticket pre-sale with priority given based on date of renewal to our game.
 
www.uealumnionline.com/UERCC
 
The UE athletics ticket office will reach out to the submissions at a later date to secure your seats.