The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Basketball Set to Compete in the 2026 ESPN Events Invitational
August 07 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron men's basketball team will travel to Kissimmee, Fla., during Thanksgiving week (Nov. 23-25) to take part in the 2026 ESPN Events Invitational at State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The Zips will be part of the six-team Adventure group, comprised of Appalachian State, Belmont, St. Bonaventure, Wright State and Yale.
Field Highlights
- Akron (MAC) has made the NCAA tournament in three straight and four of the last five seasons, going 29-6 last year. Dustin Ford begins his first head coaching assignment after spending nine years as an assistant with the Zips, including six MAC championship teams.
- Appalachian State (Sun Belt) posted a 19-13 record last season in the 7th year under head coach Dustin Kerns. The Mountaineers have had a winning conference record in five of the last seven years in the Sun Belt.
- Belmont (Missouri Valley) posted a 29-6 record last season, the 16th consecutive time the Bruins have won 20 or more games. Belmont has been a postseason fixture the last two decades, earning nine NCAA Tournament berths since 2006.
- St. Bonaventure (Atlantic 10) will be led by new head coach Mike MacDonald, who spent the last 12 seasons at Division II national power Daemen University. MacDonald, the only head coach to win 100 or more games at every NCAA level, is a 1988 St. Bonaventure graduate. The Bonnies were 17-17 last season.
- Wright State (Horizon League) went 23-12 last season and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022, losing a hard-fought game to Virginia in the first round, 82-73. The Raiders were the first team in program history to win both the Horizon League regular season and tournament titles.
- Yale (Ivy League) has won 20 or more games in seven of the last eight years, including a 24-7 record and NIT appearance last season. Head coach James Jones enters his 28th season at the helm, having taken the Bulldogs to five NCAA Tournaments in his tenure.
All the games will once again be played at State Farm Field House, a multi-purpose venue that has been the site of world-class basketball competitions, including NBA playoff games and elite youth tournaments.
Fans can sign up for first access to pre-sale tickets at the ESPN Events Invitational website. Tickets will go on sale later this summer.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is just 21 miles from Orlando International Airport (MCO), which offers non-stop service to over 100 domestic destinations. Traveling fans are encouraged to visit Experience Kissimmee's website to learn about accommodation options ranging from large resorts to vacation homes. With the world's largest collection of vacation home rentals, Kissimmee claims the title of Vacation Home Capital of the World®.
Season Tickets
For assistance or questions, please contact the Akron Athletics Ticket Office by calling 888-992-5766, emailing tickets@uakron.edu or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium Summa Health Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
