Where to watch Kentucky basketball exhibition games: Schedule, channels, live streams for 2026 UK preseason originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Big Blue Madness is in the books, and it's time to see what the Kentucky Wildcats will do against outside competition.
UK will play three exhibition games at Rupp Arena before opening regular-season play the first week of November, and fans will be able to watch all of them.
The middle game on the slate, against Texas Tech, is the most appealing matchup, but fans will be focused on how Mark Pope's team jells. While homegrown talent Malachi Moreno returns, the key questions will surround the newcomers. Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State transfer) leads that group, which also includes Zoom Diallo (Washington) and Alex Wilkins (Furman), along with international big man Ousmane N'Diaye.
SEC coaches ranked the Wildcats seventh in the preseason poll, meaning the perception is they're an NCAA Tournament team but not quite in the top tier of the conference. Plenty can and will change between now and March, but Kentucky fans will get their first real look at this year's team in October.
Here's all you need to know to watch all three games.
Where to watch Kentucky basketball exhibition games
Fans who can't get to Rupp can watch all three of the Wildcats' preseason games this year. The first two will stream on SEC Network+, which is available via the ESPN app.
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The exhibition finale against UCF will air on SEC Network and can also be streamed via Fubo, which offers a free trial. See the full schedule below.
Kentucky basketball preseason exhibition schedule 2026-27
The Wildcats are set to play three exhibition games ahead of their season opener:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 16 | vs. Little Rock | 7 p.m. | SECN+ |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | vs. Texas Tech | 7 p.m. | SECN+ |
| Wed., Oct. 28 | vs. UCF | 6 p.m. | SECN, ESPN app, Fubo |
When is the Kentucky basketball season opener?
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 3
- Time: 7 p.m.
UK opens the 2026-27 regular season a day after many schools, hosting Manhattan on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
Kentucky basketball schedule 2026-27
Here are the Wildcats' first five regular-season games:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 3 | vs. Manhattan | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 6 | vs. James Madison | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 10 | Kansas* | 9:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 13 | vs. Northern Arizona | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 16 | vs. Grambling State | 7 p.m. |
* Champions Classic at United Center, Chicago