CBS Sports Classic

North Carolina vs Ohio State | Kentucky vs St. John's

Dec 20, 2025

On Sale TBA

Date
Dec 20, 2025
Event Starts
TBA
On Sale
On Sale TBA

Dec 20 Saturday TBA On Sale TBA

Event Details

2025 CBS Sports Classic Matchups Announced

St. John’s joins this year’s elite doubleheader and will face Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 20 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta

ATLANTA (May 1, 2025) – The matchups have been announced for the 12th edition of the CBS Sports Classic, which will welcome a new participant this year as St. John’s joins Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio State for the 2025 event. This year's Classic will take place Saturday, Dec. 20 at the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The Buckeyes will take on the Tar Heels in the first game and will be followed by the Red Storm facing the Wildcats. Both games of the doubleheader will air on The CBS Television Network and stream live on Paramount+. Tip times will be announced at a later date.

Kentucky and St. John’s have met 16 times previously, with the Wildcats owning an 11-5 advantage in the series. The last meeting between the programs came in 2012 in Lexington, where Kentucky scored an 81-59 win over the Red Storm.

Ohio State and North Carolina have also met 16 times previously, with the Tar Heels holding a firm 13-3 advantage in the series. North Carolina has won each of the three previous matchups in the CBS Sports Classic against the Buckeyes, including an 89-84 overtime win in the teams’ most recent meeting in 2022.

Fans will have the opportunity to purchase official travel packages for the CBS Sports Classic, which will include game tickets for both contests of the doubleheader and hotel accommodations near State Farm Arena. Fan travel packages are set to go on sale in August, allowing fans exclusive early access to secure their seats for the event ahead of the launch of public ticket sales. Tickets for the general public will go on sale later in August.

Fans interested in attending the event can register to receive direct email alerts regarding ticket news and other event details at www.cbssportsclassic.com/tickets. Fans who register for these alerts will receive key information on travel package sales and will also be eligible for an exclusive ticket presale.

State Farm Arena will serve as host for the event for the second time in three years, having last hosted the event in 2023. Throughout the 11-year history of the CBS Sports Classic, the United Center in Chicago (2014, 2018), Barclays Center in Brooklyn (2015), T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (2016, 2019, 2021), Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (2017), Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland (2020) and Madison Square Garden in New York (2022, 2024) have also hosted the event.

North Carolina is 7-4 in the CBS Sports Classic, Ohio State is 6-4 and Kentucky is 5-6.

For additional information on the event, please visit www.cbssportsclassic.com.

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Want to make the most of your time in downtown Atlanta? Choose from several nearby hotels to create the perfect fan experience. Save 10% or more with Member Prices with Hotels.com.

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Parking: Buy Now & Save!

Enjoy all these awesome benefits when you plan ahead and purchase your parking in advance through ParkMobile.

State Farm Arena offers multiple parking options tailored to your needs:

STATE FARM DRIVE: The best parking, just steps from the entrance
DIAMOND DECK: VIP parking with exclusive Player/Artist entrance
SAPPHIRE DECK: Prime location across the street
RUBY LOT: Easy & convenient Arena access

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Plan Your Visit

From how to get here, to finding your seat, to getting something to eat and drink, click here to plan your visit to State Farm Arena.

Bag Policy

Bag Size Requirement:

14" x 14" x 6" or smaller
All bags are subject to screening
State Farm Arena does not enforce a clear bag policy

Approved Bags:

Single-compartment drawstring bags, purses, or fashion backpacks that are smaller than 14" x 14" x 6".
Medical bags and diaper bags accompanying a child are exempt from the size requirement policy but are subject to search. Parents may bring in plastic bottles of formula or milk inside the arena.
Approved media members may bring backpacks, provided that they undergo screening at the Media Entrance.
Strollers are welcome inside the arena, but must be checked inside Gate 1 at the Guest Service Center (view arena map).

Prohibited Bags:

All bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6". This includes briefcases, purses, and luggage.
Backpacks and hard-sided bags of any size. Approved media members may bring backpacks, provided that they undergo screening at the Media Entrance.

Bag Valet:

For a fee, guests with non-complying bags can check their bag or item at the Bag Valet tent by Gate 2, located off of Centennial Olympic Park Dr.
Bag valet is available two hours prior to the event start time through one hour after the conclusion of the event. Items must be retrieved the same day.

Lost Bag:

If you have an inquiry regarding an unclaimed item, please fill out this form to claim your item.

NOTE: Bag policies are subject to change based on event. Please check the event's page here to see your event's specific bag policy.

Cashless Enviroment

State Farm Arena is a cashless environment. Card payment will be required at all ticket, food & beverage, and retail locations. No cash payments will be accepted.

Omni Hotel Guests

Staying at the Omni Hotel?

To access the Omni Hotel’s North and South towers, exit through Gate 7 and walk west on Andrew Young International Blvd NW towards Marietta St NW. The Omni Hotel will be on your left.