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Gophers Set to Compete in the 2026 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic
8/6/2026 1:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Release provided by ESPN Sports and the 2026 Shriners Children's Charleston Classic
CHARLESTON, S.C. – ESPN Events has officially announced the six teams participating in the 2026 Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, set to return for its 18th year at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C. This year's event will be held on November 20 and 22 and consist of three standalone games on each day, with each team playing one game on November 20 and one game on November 22.
The six participating teams are Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Virginia Tech. Matchups, tip-off times, and ESPN network designations for all games will be announced in the coming months.
Team Highlights
• Dayton (Atlantic 10) has posted five consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Anthony Grant. The Flyers are coming off a 25-win season in 2025 and an NIT quarterfinal appearance.
• Minnesota (Big Ten) is led by returning senior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who averaged 13.4 points and led the team with 6.8 rebounds per game last year.
• Northwestern (Big Ten) made the first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in program history in 2023 and 2024, reaching the Second Round both years.
• Oklahoma State (Big 12) finished the 2025-26 season 20-15 and reached the NIT Second Round. The Cowboys are led by returning senior guard Kanye Clary, who averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 assists last year.
• Utah (Big 12) Head Coach Alex Jensen begins his second season back at his alma mater, looking to take another big step in returning the Runnin' Utes to national prominence as they battle in the Big 12 Conference.
• Virginia Tech (ACC) is led by senior forward Amani Hansberry, who averaged 14.3 points per game and earned NABC First Team All-East Region honors.
Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic is in its 18th year. Past Classic champions include Utah State and Clemson (2025), Drake (2024), Houston (2023), College of Charleston (2022), St.
Bonaventure (2021), and Florida (2020).
The family-friendly event provides participating teams with a week of competition, practice, and unique experiences throughout historic Charleston. The Charleston Classic website offers information on things to do in the historic city, tickets, and additional event details. Tickets will go on sale after the matchups and game times are announced later this summer.
Pre-Sale Signup
For first access to premium seats and the lowest prices, sign up today:
Event Ticket Information - ESPN Events
About Shriners Children's Shriners Children's improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families' ability to pay, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. For more information, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.
About ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In the 2025-26 academic year, the 35-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, two college volleyball events, the premier regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events accounted for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
CHARLESTON, S.C. – ESPN Events has officially announced the six teams participating in the 2026 Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, set to return for its 18th year at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C. This year's event will be held on November 20 and 22 and consist of three standalone games on each day, with each team playing one game on November 20 and one game on November 22.
The six participating teams are Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Virginia Tech. Matchups, tip-off times, and ESPN network designations for all games will be announced in the coming months.
Team Highlights
• Dayton (Atlantic 10) has posted five consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Anthony Grant. The Flyers are coming off a 25-win season in 2025 and an NIT quarterfinal appearance.
• Minnesota (Big Ten) is led by returning senior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who averaged 13.4 points and led the team with 6.8 rebounds per game last year.
• Northwestern (Big Ten) made the first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in program history in 2023 and 2024, reaching the Second Round both years.
• Oklahoma State (Big 12) finished the 2025-26 season 20-15 and reached the NIT Second Round. The Cowboys are led by returning senior guard Kanye Clary, who averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 assists last year.
• Utah (Big 12) Head Coach Alex Jensen begins his second season back at his alma mater, looking to take another big step in returning the Runnin' Utes to national prominence as they battle in the Big 12 Conference.
• Virginia Tech (ACC) is led by senior forward Amani Hansberry, who averaged 14.3 points per game and earned NABC First Team All-East Region honors.
Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic is in its 18th year. Past Classic champions include Utah State and Clemson (2025), Drake (2024), Houston (2023), College of Charleston (2022), St.
Bonaventure (2021), and Florida (2020).
The family-friendly event provides participating teams with a week of competition, practice, and unique experiences throughout historic Charleston. The Charleston Classic website offers information on things to do in the historic city, tickets, and additional event details. Tickets will go on sale after the matchups and game times are announced later this summer.
Pre-Sale Signup
For first access to premium seats and the lowest prices, sign up today:
Event Ticket Information - ESPN Events
About Shriners Children's Shriners Children's improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families' ability to pay, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. For more information, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.
About ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In the 2025-26 academic year, the 35-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, two college volleyball events, the premier regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events accounted for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
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