Kansas City, Mo. – The excitement is building for Iowa State as they prepare for a new kind of magic this December at the Hilton South. The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) recently revealed that Iowa State will join three other teams in the 2026 Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City.
On December 18, Iowa State will face Missouri State, marking a fresh matchup for both teams. This doubleheader will also feature Drake against Wichita State. This year is special, celebrating the 26th anniversary of the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, which adds to the anticipation surrounding the event.
Iowa State holds a strong history at the T-Mobile Center, boasting a record of 20-14. They previously participated in the Hall of Fame Classic in 2014, where they first triumphed over Alabama before falling to Maryland in the finals.
For the 2026-27 season, this game will be one of two neutral-site contests for the Cyclones. They’ll kick off the season against Memphis on November 2 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Additionally, they are gearing up for the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week.
Last season, Iowa State made waves with a 29-8 record, tying for the second-most wins in their history. They were ranked No. 8 in the final AP Top 25 Poll, continuing a remarkable streak of 52 weeks in the rankings. This marks the second-longest ranking streak in school history and the fourth-longest currently active across the nation. The Cyclones also excelled in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16 for the eighth time.
Basketball fans can look forward to an engaging event as teams compete in a spirited atmosphere. The Hall of Fame Classic is organized by the NABC, and more details can be found on their official site at nabc.com/classic.
This renewed focus on basketball events showcases the growing popularity of college sports. In recent years, attendance and viewer numbers for such events have skyrocketed. For instance, a report by the NCAA indicated that the 2023 March Madness tournament saw a record number of viewers, reflecting the sport’s increasing fan base.
As we look forward to this exciting matchup in December, fans can feel the energy building, ready for a thrilling season ahead.
