Sources Say and Memorial Memo will be LIVE at BBN United Fan Fest

Saturday is setting up to be an all-time day for Kentucky basketball, and KSR is going to be there for all of it — literally, every second.

BBN United Fan Fest is the appetizer ahead of the Big Blue Madness entree, scheduled from Noon ET to 4:30 p.m. ET with the men’s and women’s teams coming through with Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks leading the charge. The event is free of charge and open to the public, allowing fans to meet the Wildcats and their coaches with autographs and photo opportunities. There will also be food trucks, championship trophies, inflatables, face painting and live KSR podcasts.

What a group of activities to lump together, eh?

That’s right, while you’re chowing down, looking at the 2012 national championship trophy and jumping on jumpies with the kiddos, you’ll be able to listen to both of KSR’s basketball podcasts in person to celebrate the start of the 2025-26 season.

The Memorial Memo, hosted by KSR’s Phoenix Stevens, will go live right when the event starts at Noon ET. From there, the Sources Say Podcast will be live at 2 PM ET, previewing Madness and the season as a whole. Expect plenty of special guests from Kentucky legends and, if we’re (very) lucky, maybe some coaches and players from the current teams.

Either way, we’re grateful to be there with Big Blue Nation and celebrate a heck of a day at Rupp Arena.

Mark Pope says some surprises are in store for both Fan Fest and Big Blue Madness — we promise we’re not the surprises, thankfully.

“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be everything,” Pope said of Fan Fest in a one-on-one interview with KSR on Friday. “There are some things I’m not allowed to say, because they’re going to be surprises, which I think will be so awesome. … We are down to the wire working on a couple of special things (for Big Blue Madness). Wherever we end up, it’s gonna be — come on, it’s Big Blue Madness! There’s nothing like it. It’s going to be great.”

We know what’s in store for some of it, UK releasing the following itinerary for Fan Fest:

Fan Fest Highlights: 
Main Stage Appearances: 
12:30–1 p.m. – Coach Mark Pope on stage
1:15–1:45 p.m. – Coach Kenny Brooks on stage
1:45 p.m. – Women’s Basketball Team introduced
2–2:45 p.m. – Women’s Basketball Team Autograph Session
2:45 p.m. – Men’s Basketball Team introduced
3 –4 p.m. – Men’s Basketball Team Autograph Session

Interactive Experiences: 

• Championship trophies on display
• Kentucky Men’s and Women’s Basketball equipment collections
• Inflatables and free face painting, tattoos, balloon artists, and more
• Live DJ and main stage programming
• And more!

Vendor & Partner Activations: 

• Retailers: UK Team Shop, Kentucky Branded, Calypso, Artsman
• Food & Beverage: Chick-fil-A, City BBQ, Taylor Belle’s, Hunt Bros. Pizza, Rupp Arena Concessions Providers, Coca-Cola Slushy Truck
• Partners: Kroger, Central Bank, UK Healthcare, VisitLEX, UK E-Sports Lounge, Tapster and more
• Special Appearances: Stay tuned for appearances from artists like Billy Hobbs from True Blue Customs and Aaron Kizer as well as UK legends throughout the afternoon
• And more!

Make sure to fit in stops with Sources Say and Memorial Memo at Fan Fest as you get ready for the Madness.