Our goal is to get you inside the Fieldhouse as seamlessly as possible. We ask all guests to arrive early, travel light and have their mobile tickets ready as they enter the building. Check out this list of important things to know as you prepare to get back downtown for plenty of fun and excitement at your favorite Fieldhouse events!

We’ve provided a complete A-Z fan guide that details everything we have to offer. We hope you will create a lifetime of memories with us at the Fieldhouse of the Future.

Backpacks (with the exception of single-compartment drawstring bags that meet the NBA bag-size requirements, or media backpacks that are screened at the media entrance), hard-sided bags and any bag larger than 6"x9”x1.5” will not be allowed. Discretion is allowed for purses and diaper bags that, while having the appearance of backpacks, generally are sized differently, and have a different purpose. These are allowed on a case-by-case basis and subject to management approval. All guests entering the Fieldhouse are subject to security screening, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Gainbridge Fieldhouse personnel.

ESPN State Farm Champions Classic Official Merchandise will be located in the Ascension St. Vincent Entry Pavilion and at the top of the Grand Staircase at Sections 2 & 19!

All fans will have an opportunity to take a photo with the 2023 NCAA Championship trophy! Be on the lookout for the trophy in the Ascension St. Vincent Entry Pavilion.

About ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 34 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes five early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events and a college softball event, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

For 100 years, the mission of State Farm has and continues to be to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its 19,300 agents and nearly 55,000 employees serve approximately 86 million policies and accounts – which includes auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 39 on the 2021 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.​

Media Contacts:

Charley Green, Champions Classic: cgreen@breakaway-sports.com

Amy Ufnowski, ESPN: Amy.L.Ufnowski@espn.com

History

• Champions Classic games annually rank among the most-viewed college basketball games of the season. The 2019 event averaged 2.3 million viewers on ESPN (the last time both games were played at Madison Square Garden).
• The event features three of the top four all-time winningest men’s college basketball programs: Kentucky (first), Kansas (second) and Duke (fourth), while Michigan State has made 23 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, the second-longest active streak in Division I.
• Since the Champions Classic began in 2011, all four teams have reached the Final Four at least once, with Kentucky (2011-12) and Duke (2014-15) winning national titles.
• The four participating programs have combined for 18 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships (since 1939): Kentucky (eight), Duke (five), Kansas (three) and Michigan State (two).