SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The birthplace of basketball is bracing for its iconic high school extravaganza.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the field of teams and schedule for the 2026 Panini Hoophall Classic, an annual basketball showcase, now in its 24th year. Games will be played from January 15-19 inside Blake Arena at Springfield College,.
“We’re proud to welcome the nation’s premier high school and prep programs back to Springfield for the 24th year of Hoophall Classic,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “This year’s event marks an exciting step forward with an expanded field, new overflow sites, and the addition of Panini as title sponsor, all helping us accommodate a record number of marquee matchups and top-ranked talent.”
The nation’s premier basketball event will once again showcase the country’s elite high school basketball teams with several from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. In addition to local participants, the event will feature teams from 17 states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
The Hoophall Classic has produced 12 of the last 15 No. 1 overall picks, including 11 straight from 2011-21. This year, Panini Hoophall Classic will feature 53 players in ESPN’s Top 100 from the Class of 2026 (nine of the top 10), 18 from the Class of 2027 Top 60, and five from the Class of 2028 Top 25.
Since 2004, 120+ Hoophall Classic participants have gone on to play in the NBA, including Kevin Durant (2006), Kyrie Irving (2010), Anthony Davis (2011), Karl-Anthony Towns(2014), Jaylen Brown (2015), Jamal Murray (2015), Bam Adebayo (2016), Jayson Tatum (2016), Zion Williamson (2018), Cade Cunningham (2020), Jared McCain (2023), and Cooper Flagg (2024).
All games will have a broadcast outlet with games scheduled to be on ESPN networks, NBA Platforms, as well as other digital platforms. Media application information will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the 2026 Panini Hoophall Classic are on sale.
For the first time, the event will expand to overflow sites at Western New England University and Duggan Academy, to accommodate a record number of marquee matchups on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
2026 Panini Hoophall Classic Schedule
Springfield College
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
| 3:00 PM |
Boys |
East Catholic, CT |
Shaker, NY |
| 4:45 PM |
Boys |
Chicopee Comp, MA |
South Hadley, MA |
| 6:30 PM |
Boys |
High School of Science and Technology, MA |
Putnam Vocational, MA |
| 8:30 PM |
Boys |
Springfield Central, MA |
Pope Francis, MA |
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
| 1:00 PM |
Girls |
Springfield Central, MA |
Northwest Catholic, CT |
| 2:30 PM |
Girls |
Christ the King, NY |
Mater Dei, CA |
| 4:00 PM |
Girls |
St. James, VA |
IMG Academy, FL |
| 5:30 PM |
Girls |
Westtown School, PA |
Bullis School, MD |
| 7:00 PM |
Girls |
Long Island Lutheran, NY |
Sierra Canyon School, CA |
| 8:30 PM |
Girls |
Bishop McNamara, MD |
Ontario Christian School, CA |
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 – SESSION 1
| 9:00 AM |
Boys |
Notre Dame (Fairfield), CT |
Mater Dei, CA |
| 10:30 AM |
Boys |
Blair Academy, NJ |
Texas Military Institute |
| 12:00 PM |
Boys |
Long Island Lutheran, NY |
AZ Compass Prep |
| 1:30 PM |
Boys |
Christ the King HS, NY |
St. Mary’s, AZ |
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 – SESSION 2
| 4:00 PM |
Boys |
Columbus (Miami) |
Sierra Canyon School, CA |
| 5:30 PM |
Boys |
Archbishop Stepinac, NY |
Notre Dame, CA |
| 7:00 PM |
Boys |
Notre Dame (West Haven), CT |
Inglewood, CA |
| 9:00 PM |
Boys |
Link Academy, MO |
Montverde Academy, FL |
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 – SESSION 1
| 9:00 AM |
Boys |
Central Catholic, MA |
Bergen Catholic, NJ |
| 10:30 AM |
Boys |
Imhotep Charter, PA |
Providence Christian, TN |
| 12:00 PM |
Boys |
Bishop McNamara, MD |
Rainier Beach (Seattle) |
| 1:30 PM |
Boys |
Brewster Academy, NH |
Oak Hill Academy, VA |
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 – SESSION 2
| 4:00 PM |
Boys |
CIA – Bella Vista Prep, AZ |
IMG Academy, FL |
| 5:30 PM |
Boys |
Long Island Lutheran, NY |
Montverde Academy, FL |
| 7:00 PM |
Boys |
SPIRE Institute, OH |
Sunrise Christian, KS |
| 9:00 PM |
Boys |
Link Academy, MO |
AZ Compass Prep |
MONDAY, JANUARY 20
| 9:00 AM |
Boys |
The Newman School, MA |
Southeastern Prep, FL |
| 11:00 AM |
Boys |
Dynamic Prep, TX |
Prolific Prep, FL |
| 1:00 PM |
Boys |
St. Paul VI Catholic, VA |
Notre Dame, CA |
| 3:00 PM |
Boys |
Columbus (Miami) |
St. John Bosco, CA |
| 5:00 PM |
Boys |
SPIRE Institute, OH |
Brewster Academy, NH |
Western New England
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
| 6:00 PM |
Boys |
Oak Hill Academy, VA |
Montverde Academy, FL |
| 8:00 PM |
Boys |
Brewster Academy, NH |
Faith Family, TX |
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
| 6:30 PM |
Boys |
IMG Academy, FL |
St. James, VA |
| 8:00 PM |
Boys |
Faith Family, TX |
Sunrise Christian, KS |
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
| 12:00 PM |
Boys |
Springfield Central HS, MA |
Christ the King HS, NY |
Duggan Academy
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
| 11:00 AM |
Girls |
IMG Academy, FL |
Westtown School, PA |
| 12:30 PM |
Girls |
Sacred Heart, CT |
Mater Dei HS, CA |
| 2:00 PM |
Girls |
St. John Vianney, NJ |
Ontario Christian School, CA |
| 3:30 PM |
Boys |
Bergen Catholic, NJ |
Coronado HS, NV |
