​College basketball fans in the Coachella Valley continue to be drawn to the Acrisure Series, which continues to deliver marquee matchups and strong regional interest. A fresh clash has been announced for the winter schedule: Michigan State will take on Gonzaga at Acrisure Arena on December 19, in what promises to be a highly anticipated showdown between two of the sport’s blue-blood programs. This game is part of a distinctive December offshoot of the Acrisure Series, a multi-team event that has grown into a premier stop for high-profile collegiate hoops during Thanksgiving week in Palm Desert, California.
The December doubleheader will feature both the men’s and women’s programs from these storied programs, with the Michigan State and Gonzaga women’s teams set to face each other before the men’s game. Dan Shell, president of Total Sports Consulting and co-tournament director, spoke about the significance of bringing such a marquee doubleheader to Acrisure Arena. He emphasized that featuring both the men’s and women’s teams creates an exceptional holiday basketball experience and aligns with the goal of establishing the Coachella Valley as a premier destination for college hoops.
The announcement follows another major addition to Acrisure Arena’s 2026 schedule: a game between Duke and Washington State on November 21 to kick off the Acrisure Series. Tickets for the MSU-Gonzaga doubleheader will go on sale Wednesday, July 15, with one ticket granting admission to both games.
On the court, both Michigan State and Gonzaga are expected to continue their long-standing NCAA Tournament runs, fielding top-10 caliber teams in the fall. The Spartans have made 28 consecutive NCAA Tournaments under coach Tom Izzo, while Gonzaga has reached the tournament in 27 straight seasons under Mark Few. The last meeting between the two programs occurred at a neutral Southern California venue when they played on the deck of an aircraft carrier in San Diego on November 11, 2022, a reminder of the breadth and drama these programs bring to the college basketball landscape.
This event also marks a full-circle moment for Michigan State. The Spartans played in the first-ever college basketball game at Acrisure Arena, the 11,000-seat facility that opened in 2022, when they faced Arizona in November 2023. The return engagement against Gonzaga gives MSU an opportunity to reprise a crucial in-state and out-of-state rivalry in a state-of-the-art setting that has quickly become a hub for major college basketball attractions in the desert.
MSU head coach Tom Izzo expressed enthusiasm about returning to Palm Springs and playing at Acrisure Arena, noting the excellent environment and the arena’s strong reputation. He highlighted the chance to face Gonzaga, a storied program led by his longtime friend Mark Few, as a compelling reason to put the game on the schedule. Izzo stressed that the matchup against Gonzaga represents an outstanding opportunity for both programs and for basketball fans in the Coachella Valley to witness high-level competition in a unique and festive holiday atmosphere.
As the countdown to December 19 continues, fans are encouraged to secure tickets for what should be a memorable night of college basketball, with a stacked doubleheader that will showcase two of the sport’s most respected programs. The event promises to enhance the Coachella Valley’s reputation as a dynamic destination for college hoops, continuing a tradition of exciting games, strong coaching ties, and a festive tournament-style atmosphere during the holiday season.