John Calipari on return of UK vs. IU: "This is a really important rivalry"

It’s official: the Kentucky-Indiana rivalry will make its triumphant return in ’25-26, a four-year series finalized between the two historic programs through the ’28-29 season.

Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart and Indiana Athletics Director Scott Dolson announced the home-and-home schedule on Tuesday, two games set to take place inside Rupp Arena, one at Lucas Oil Stadium and another back at Assembly Hall.

• Dec. 20, 2025 – Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, Ky.
• Dec. 27, 2026 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind. (IU home game)
• Dec. 18, 2027 – Rupp Arena Central Bank Center, Lexington, Ky.
• Dec. 16, 2028 – Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.

“It’s great to renew this series, which is among the most competitive rivalries and storied traditions of college basketball,” Barnhart said. “The matchup will resume its place as one of the nation’s most anticipated games of the season. This emanated from Coach Cal and Coach Woodson getting together and talking about playing again. I’ve enjoyed spending time with Scott Dolson and getting to know him better as we’ve worked out the details.”

“This is an exciting day for not only IU and UK Basketball, but college basketball,” said Dolson. “When you consider the history, the passion, and the proximity of our schools, this is a game that means a great deal to so many people. I appreciate Mitch Barnhart’s willingness to work together to resume what I believe to be college basketball’s best non-conference rivalry. I also appreciate the support of Coach Calipari and Coach Woodson and their desire to bring this series back. Their relationship is a big reason why we are able to make today’s announcement.”

Kentucky head coach John Calipari made it clear that the rivalry and its return to college basketball was important for him to bring back. And Indiana coach Mike Woodson being in Bloomington helped make it possible.

“This is a really important rivalry to our fans and the game of college basketball and we’re happy to bring it back,” Calipari said. “Mike and I have been friends for years and I have the utmost respect for him as a coach and as a man. Let’s do this!”

Woodson, who has been calling for the return of this series since he was first hired at Indiana, is understandably excited.

“This is a great day for our program and our fans,” Woodson added. “Indiana-Kentucky is one of the best rivalries in college basketball, with so many great games over the years.  We worked hard to get this done, and I could not be happier to be playing Kentucky once again.”

It will be the first head-to-head battle between the Wildcats and Hoosiers since the 2016 NCAA Tournament, a 73-67 win for IU in the second round. Before then, a 102-90 win for UK in the 2012 Sweet 16.

The last regular-season matchup between the longtime rivals came back on Dec. 10, 2011 — Christian Watford’s game-winner to defeat Kentucky in Assembly Hall. That 14-year lapse is the longest in the series since the two programs went 21 years between regular-season battles from 1944-65.

That changes starting in 2025.