Kentucky’s ACC/SEC Challenge game is official. North Carolina is coming to Rupp

The University of Kentucky will square off against fellow men’s basketball blue blood North Carolina in the 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge, according to an official release Thursday afternoon.

The Tar Heels, rated No. 25 in ESPN’s most recent offseason rankings, will visit the No. 9 Wildcats on Tuesday, Dec. 2 for a game in Rupp Arena. The TV information and tip time will be announced at a later date.

The game is one of 16 ACC/SEC Challenge matchups for the third edition of the interleague showcase. Last year, Kentucky visited Clemson and lost 70-66 on Dec. 3.

A visit from the Tar Heels represents one more obstacle in a still incomplete 2025-26 UK schedule bursting with them.

The Wildcats visit No. 7 Louisville on Nov. 11, take on traditional power Michigan State in the Champions Classic in New York on Nov. 18, face No. 19 Gonzaga in Nashville on Dec. 5 — just three days after the matchup with UNC — renew their rivalry with Indiana in Rupp Arena on Dec. 13 and test Rick Pitino’s No. 5 St. John’s team in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta on Dec. 20.

All of that takes place before the Wildcats launch into a robust Southeastern Conference schedule that is expected to include two games against No. 2-ranked and defending national champion Florida. UK is also supposed to visit John Calipari’s No. 11 Arkansas squad.

No. 14 Auburn, No. 17 Alabama and No. 23 Tennessee are also included in ESPN’s early Top 25 rankings.

Kentucky’s schedule tips off Oct. 24 with an exhibition game in Rupp Arena against No. 1 Purdue. The Wildcats’ second exhibition, against the Georgetown Hoyas, is set for Oct. 30 in Rupp.

North Carolina leads its all-time series against Kentucky 25-18, an achievement few programs are able to claim. However, UK has won the two most recent meetings.

The Cats took down the Tar Heels 98-69 in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas on Dec. 17, 2021. UK also won, 87-83, in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta on Dec. 16, 2023.

The 2025-26 collision of UK and UNC will be the first to take place in Rupp Arena since an 84-70 Wildcats win on Dec. 13, 2014.

Other ACC/SEC Challenge matchups

Fans will be treated to a second ACC/SEC Challenge matchup close to the hearts of Kentucky fans this season.

Former Kentucky head coach John Calipari and Arkansas will host UK archrival Louisville.

Here are all of this year’s ACC/SEC Challenge matchups:

▪ North Carolina at Kentucky (Dec. 2)

▪ Florida at Duke (Dec. 2)

▪ Virginia Tech at South Carolina (Dec. 2)

▪ Tennessee at Syracuse (Dec. 2)

▪ Missouri at Notre Dame (Dec. 2)

▪ Georgia at Florida State (Dec. 2)

▪ Oklahoma at Wake Forest (Dec. 2)

▪ Texas A&M at Pittsburgh (Dec. 2)

▪ Miami at Ole Miss (Dec. 2)

▪ Louisville at Arkansas (Dec. 3)

▪ Virginia at Texas (Dec. 3)

▪ North Carolina State at Auburn (Dec. 3)

▪ Clemson at Alabama (Dec. 3)

▪ SMU at Vanderbilt (Dec. 3)

▪ Mississippi State at Georgia Tech (Dec. 3)

▪ LSU at Boston College (Dec. 3)

The SEC dominated last year’s Challenge, taking 14 of the 16 games from the ACC.

The conferences split the inaugural challenge 7-7 in 2023.

This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM.