Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell
Michigan State Men’s & Women’s Basketball Teams to Play Gonzaga in 2026 Acrisure Series
7/13/2026 10:43:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State's men's and women's basketball teams will both play Gonzaga in the 2026 Acrisure Series in a doubleheader on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley in California.
The 2026 Acrisure Series, presented by Acrisure and Visit Greater Palm Springs, is one of the premier holiday events in college basketball.
"Sponsoring the Acrisure Series reflects our continued commitment to excellence and community engagement," said Greg Williams, Chairman and CEO of Acrisure. "Bringing programs like Gonzaga and Michigan State to the Coachella Valley creates an incredible experience for fans while continuing to establish Acrisure Arena as a premier destination for major sporting events."
Tipoff times and television for the doubleheader will be announced at a later date.
This is the second time Michigan State's men's and women's basketball teams will play in the Acrisure Classic. The Spartan men's team lost to Arizona, 74-68, on Nov. 23, 2024, while the women's team beat Cal (78-72) and Vanderbilt (78-70) early in the 2024-25 season.
"We're very excited about the opportunity to return to Palm Springs and play at Acrisure Arena," Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said. "We played the first college basketball game there a few years back, and it was a great environment and a great arena.
"Our good friend Greg Williams and his wife, Dawn, are part of the leadership group at the arena. They care a great deal about Michigan State, and they have embraced the Palm Springs area and the community there. Getting the chance to play against a terrific program in Gonzaga that is led by one of my great friends in college basketball, Mark Few, made this an easy game to put on our schedule. Michigan State has a great alumni presence in Southern California, and I know our West Coast Spartans will be very excited for the game and we are too."
"We are thrilled to return to the incredible Palm Springs area and Acrisure Arena for our doubleheader with Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and our women's basketball team this upcoming season," MSU head women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick said. "The arena, coupled with the beautiful surrounding area, makes this such a special opportunity for Michigan State Spartans women's basketball, our student-athletes, and our fans. A special thank you to Greg and Dawn Williams for being gracious hosts and such supportive Spartan fans."
Tickets for the Dec. 19 showcase will go on sale July 15 at 1 p.m. (ET) at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena, and at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Admission to the doubleheader will include access to both games under one ticket package.
The 2026 Acrisure Series, presented by Acrisure and Visit Greater Palm Springs, is one of the premier holiday events in college basketball.
"Sponsoring the Acrisure Series reflects our continued commitment to excellence and community engagement," said Greg Williams, Chairman and CEO of Acrisure. "Bringing programs like Gonzaga and Michigan State to the Coachella Valley creates an incredible experience for fans while continuing to establish Acrisure Arena as a premier destination for major sporting events."
Tipoff times and television for the doubleheader will be announced at a later date.
This is the second time Michigan State's men's and women's basketball teams will play in the Acrisure Classic. The Spartan men's team lost to Arizona, 74-68, on Nov. 23, 2024, while the women's team beat Cal (78-72) and Vanderbilt (78-70) early in the 2024-25 season.
"We're very excited about the opportunity to return to Palm Springs and play at Acrisure Arena," Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said. "We played the first college basketball game there a few years back, and it was a great environment and a great arena.
"Our good friend Greg Williams and his wife, Dawn, are part of the leadership group at the arena. They care a great deal about Michigan State, and they have embraced the Palm Springs area and the community there. Getting the chance to play against a terrific program in Gonzaga that is led by one of my great friends in college basketball, Mark Few, made this an easy game to put on our schedule. Michigan State has a great alumni presence in Southern California, and I know our West Coast Spartans will be very excited for the game and we are too."
"We are thrilled to return to the incredible Palm Springs area and Acrisure Arena for our doubleheader with Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and our women's basketball team this upcoming season," MSU head women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick said. "The arena, coupled with the beautiful surrounding area, makes this such a special opportunity for Michigan State Spartans women's basketball, our student-athletes, and our fans. A special thank you to Greg and Dawn Williams for being gracious hosts and such supportive Spartan fans."
Tickets for the Dec. 19 showcase will go on sale July 15 at 1 p.m. (ET) at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena, and at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Admission to the doubleheader will include access to both games under one ticket package.
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