Third Annual Coretta Scott King Classic Returns to Prudential Center Featuring Marquee Women’s College Basketball Matchups
FOX Sports, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and Playfly Sports team up for the third straight year of the Coretta Scott King Classic.
This year's participants include the defending National Champions UCLA, 2025 National Champions UConn, highly ranked Oklahoma, and local favorite Seton Hall at Newark’s Prudential Center airing nationally on FOX
Tickets On Sale via Prucenter.com, Ticketmaster, and Prudential Center’s Box Office
Newark, NJ (October 1, 2026) — For the third straight year, the Coretta Scott King Classic returns to Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January 18, 2027. The nationally televised event on FOX will highlight women’s college basketball while honoring the legacy and values of Coretta Scott King and the entire King family.
Fox Sports, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and Playfly Sports bring back the CSKC for the third straight year featuring the defending National Champions UCLA, 2025 National Champions UConn, highly ranked Oklahoma, and local favorite Seton Hall at Newark’s Prudential Center . Official game matchups can be found below:
Game 1 at 12:00PM ET: UCLA vs. Oklahoma
Game 2 at 2:30PM ET: UConn vs. Seton Hall
Tickets for the Coretta Scott King Classic are on sale Tomorrow, October 2 at 12:00 PM EST via Prucenter.com, Ticketmaster.com, and Prudential Center’s Box Office.
The Coretta Scott King Classic is more than a sports event; the event stands as a growing movement dedicated to celebrating leadership, equality, education, and empowerment through sport. Reflecting the enduring legacy of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, this year's classic will feature a dynamic lineup of community activations and specialized youth engagement programming alongside the games. Attendees can look forward to a full day of inspiration, impactful storytelling, and athletic excellence designed to uplift the local community and empower the next generation.
"The Coretta Scott King Classic continues to bring my family’s enduring legacy into spaces where young people can see, experience, and embody the values my mother held so deeply,” said Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Coretta Scott King and CEO of The King Center. “Through the power of women’s basketball, this event creates an opportunity to celebrate excellence while encouraging the next generation to lead with courage, purpose, and a commitment to community."
“The Coretta Scott King Classic returning to Prudential Center for a third season is an honor because it represents not only excellence in competition, but off the court as well. It serves as a celebration of the values Mrs. King and her family stand for: leadership, equality, and community,” said Dylan Wanagiel, Vice President, Sports Properties and Special Events, HBSE/Prudential Center. “HBSE is excited to collaborate with Playfly Sports, Paragon Sports Marketing and FOX Sports once again to host this incredible event on Martin Luther King Day showcasing some of the best women’s basketball programs in the country, including the two most recent National Champions. As women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity, HBSE remains committed to embracing the women’s game with the Coretta Scott King Classic being at the center of our celebration right here in Newark.”
“In just three years, the Coretta Scott King Classic has become a defining event where elite competition, community, and celebration converge,” said Julie Simmons, Co-Founder of Paragon Sports Marketing. “Bringing the defending champions, UCLA, Oklahoma, 2025 Champions, UConn, and Seton Hall together at Prudential Center reflects both the caliber of women’s college basketball today and our shared commitment with FOX Sports, HBSE, and the King Estate to honor Mrs. King’s enduring legacy of unity and equality. This year’s expanded scope establishes the Classic as a lasting fixture within the sport.”
“FOX Sports is proud to bring the Coretta Scott King Classic back to the FOX broadcast network and showcase two marquee matchups on one of the most meaningful days on the sports calendar,” said Jordan Bazant, Executive Vice President, FOX Sports. “This event has quickly become a special part of our women’s college basketball schedule, and we’re proud to give these outstanding programs a national broadcast stage while celebrating Coretta Scott King’s enduring legacy.”
INSIDE LOOK AT THE TEAMS
The Bruins will face the Oklahoma Sooners in a rematch of last season’s Nov. 10 matchup, when UCLA claimed a 73-59 victory in Sacramento. Oklahoma enters the season following a 26-8 campaign that saw the Sooners advance to their second consecutive Sweet 16, marking their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Jennie Baranczyk, a two-time national coach of the year finalist. The Sooners return 2026 ESPN National Freshman of the Year Aaliyah Chavez and senior star Sahara Williams, while adding one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. With Chavez, Williams and a talented group of newcomers, the Sooners will look to make a run at the SEC championship.
Led by Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma, the UConn Huskies enter the 2026-27 season in the hunt for their record 13th national title. UConn returns National Player of the Year Sarah Strong and BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Blanca Quiñonez, as well as seniors KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade, from last season’s NCAA Final Four team. The Huskies also boast a strong incoming recruiting class that features reigning National Gatorade Player of the Year Olivia Vukosa and Jovana Popovic, a high-scoring guard from Serbia.
Seton Hall is no stranger to the Newark area, but it will make its first appearance in the Classic against a familiar conference opponent in UConn. The Pirates are coming off a 19-13 season in which they made the WBIT and are entering year 14 of the Tony Bozzella era. Led by First Team All-BIG EAST guard Savannah Catalon, Seton Hall looks to return to the postseason for a sixth consecutive year and reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
HEAR FROM THE HEAD COACHES
“We’re excited and honored to be invited to play in the 2027 Coretta Scott King Classic in Newark. The opportunity to represent Oklahoma on a national stage while honoring the legacy of the King family is incredibly special. This event embodies so much of what we believe in when it comes to leadership, education, service, and empowerment. We’re grateful to be part of an experience that uses the game of basketball to inspire, bring people together and make a lasting impact.”
- Oklahoma Head Coach Jennie Baranczyk
“We are both honored to play in an event that pays homage to the King family and excited to face the Huskies at a marquee venue our fans know well. Being selected to play with three other powerhouse programs shows Seton Hall’s ascension on the national scene.”
- Seton Hall Head Coach Anthony Bozzella
"We are proud to return to the Coretta Scott King Classic this season. It is such a blessing to be part of an amazing event that honors the legacy of the King family and brings us together through sport. We always look to compete against excellent competition, and we know Oklahoma will bring out the best in us. We’re looking forward to it!”
- UCLA Head Coach Cori Close
"We’re grateful to participate in the Coretta Scott King Classic. This year’s classic brings two great games to fans while celebrating the legacy of Coretta Scott King and her family. I think it’ll be a great day of basketball and reflection, and it’s an honor to be able to compete in this event."
- UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
EXPERIENCE IT LIVE
Tickets for the Coretta Scott King Classic are on sale Tomorrow, October 2 at 12:00 PM EST via Prucenter.com, Ticketmaster.com, and Prudential Center’s Box Office. For group opportunities and experiences for 10+ people, contact 973-757-6000 or email groupevents@prucenter.com. For Premium seating opportunities, visit prucenter.com/premium.
Follow us on social media for more up-to-date information as it becomes available: @CSKClassic(X) and @CorettaScottKingClassic (Instagram).
Media Credentials: CLICK HERE
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Bill Hanousek | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment | Director, Entertainment Communications | billhanousek@hbse.com
Sara Hudson | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment | Coordinator, Entertainment Communications| sarahudson@hbse.com
Danaé Joumard, Playfly Sports Marketing & Communications danae.joumard@playfly.com
Jack Pennington (Publicist, Media Relations at FOX Sports )jack.pennington@fox.com
ABOUT FOX SPORTS
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2 and FOX Soccer Plus. FOX Sports’ digital properties include the FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com, which provides instant scores, stats and stories from across the sports world. Live streaming video of FOX Sports content is available via FOX One, Fox Corporation’s wholly owned, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service. Also included in FOX Sports’ portfolio are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and the UFL and a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.
ABOUT HBSE (HARRIS BLITZER SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT)
Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer in 2017, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) is an industry-leading sports and entertainment group, with a focus on building passionate, high performing teams that strengthen our communities. Anchored in sports, venues and ventures, HBSE’s diverse and global portfolio is centered around marquee assets, including the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center, the Washington Commanders, Joe Gibbs Racing, Crystal Palace of the English Premier League, as well as a growing presence across youth sports, the MLB, the MLS, and more. As proud stewards of some of the world’s most prestigious franchises, brands and properties, we are committed to using our platform to positively impact the local communities where our teams play and perform. For additional information on HBSE, please visit HBSE.com.
ABOUT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
Prudential Center is the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) New York Sirens and more than 210 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 10 worldwide by Pollstar, Billboard and various other industry publications, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and hosts over 2 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit prucenter.com and follow the arena on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok @PruCenter. Prudential Center is a HBSE property.
ABOUT PARAGON SPORTS MARKETING
Paragon Sports Marketing, acquired by Playfly Sports in 2025, is a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment and cause-related sponsorships. Paragon has collaborated with networks for over 23 years to deliver more than 1,300 live high school sports telecasts featuring many of the top teams and players in the nation.
ABOUT PLAYFLY SPORTS
Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company, drives growth for its partners across the sports ecosystem – including 2,200+ brands, 100+ professional teams, 65+ college athletic departments, all U.S. local sports networks and associated streaming platforms, and other marquee properties. Its fan engagement platform allows its partners to reach and engage over 85% of all U.S sports fans. Playfly builds and implements custom strategies across media, sponsorship, premium experiences, ticketing and fan engagement offerings through proprietary data, innovative technology and compelling storytelling. Playfly operates an expansive portfolio of services with a data-driven and fan-focused approach to maximize revenue yield in key growth areas, such as media, sponsorship, ticketing, premium experiences and fan engagement offerings. Founded in September of 2020, Playfly Sports is now home to approximately 1,000 team members located across 43 U.S. states and internationally dedicated to maximizing the impact of highly passionate local sports fans. The company has been named a Best Place to Work in Sports by Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports, and Newsweek. To learn more, follow Playfly Sports on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, or visit www.Playfly.com.
