Big College Basketball Games Are Coming to Acrisure Arena: A Super Simple Guide

Updated July 13, 2026, 7:20 a.m. PT

What’s the Big News?

College basketball fans in the Coachella Valley (a sunny area in California) are getting a awesome treat! Here’s what’s happening:

• A new game has been made: Michigan State and Gonzaga (two teams that are good almost every year) will play each other on December 19 at Acrisure Arena.
• This game is a December bonus event from the Acrisure Series — that’s a group of basketball games with many teams that happens every year during Thanksgiving week at this arena in Palm Desert, California.
• Both schools have coaches who are so great they are in the "Hall of Fame" (a special club for the best ever).

A Special Two-Games-In-One-Day Event

This is called a doubleheader — fancy word for two games played one after the other, and one ticket gets you into both!

• The women’s teams from Michigan State and Gonzaga will play first.
• Then the men’s teams will play later the same day.

Important Point: One ticket lets you watch both the women’s and men’s games! Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 15.

The Teams and Super Coaches

Let’s meet the main folks:

• Michigan State Spartans (men) are led by Coach Tom Izzo.
• Gonzaga Bulldogs (men) are led by Coach Mark Few.
• Both coaches are in the Hall of Fame and are good friends.

Both men’s teams are expected to be among the top 10 best in the country this fall and keep their amazing streaks of making the big national tournament (called the NCAA Tournament):

• Michigan State has made it 28 years in a row with Izzo.
• Gonzaga has made it 27 years in a row with Few.

Other Cool Games at the Arena

This isn’t the only big news from the arena this summer:

• It was already shared that Duke (a very famous team) will play Washington State on November 21 to kick off the 2026 Acrisure Series.

When Exactly Are the Games? (Easy Schedule)

Here are the key dates and times as numbered steps:

1. November 21 – Duke vs Washington State (men’s game) starts the Acrisure Series.
2. December 19 doubleheader at Acrisure Arena:
   • 11:00 a.m. – Michigan State women vs Gonzaga women.
   • 2:30 p.m. – Michigan State men vs Gonzaga men.

Why Everyone Is Excited (What the Grown-Ups Said)

Dan Shell, a person in charge of the event, said he is happy to bring these famous teams to Coachella Valley to make it a top spot for college basketball. He said having both men’s and women’s teams play makes a great holiday experience.

Coach Izzo (Michigan State) said in simple terms:

"We are really happy to return to the Palm Springs area and play in that great arena. We played the first college game there a few years ago and it was awesome. Playing my friend Coach Few and Gonzaga makes this easy to say yes to. Many of our old school friends live in Southern California and will be excited to come."

Coach Few (Gonzaga) said:

"Michigan State has been great for a long time because of Izzo. He is one of the best coaches ever and my friend. Games like this are special and good for basketball."

History and Fun Facts

• The last time the men’s teams met was in 2022 on top of a big ship (aircraft carrier) in San Diego — not a normal court!
• Michigan State played the very first college basketball game at Acrisure Arena in November 2023 (against Arizona). The arena opened in 2022 and can hold 11,000 people.
• Gonzaga is a good match for this area because many people from the Pacific Northwest (near Gonzaga) like to spend winter in Palm Springs, like birds flying south (called "snowbirds").
• The women’s teams are also stars:
  • Michigan State women won a trophy at the Acrisure Series in 2024.
  • Gonzaga women have made the national tournament 16 years in a row.
• Acrisure Arena is also home to:
  • Coachella Valley Firebirds (a hockey team in the American Hockey League, which is a step below the top hockey league).
  • Starting this fall, the Coachella Valley Lakers (a basketball team in the G League, which is like a minor league for the NBA).

Callout for Important Points

Don’t Forget These Key Things:

• Tickets for the MSU-Gonzaga doubleheader go on sale July 15.
• One ticket = both women’s and men’s games.
• Men’s teams have super long tournament streaks (28 and 27 years!).
• The arena is in Palm Desert, California, and opened in 2022.
• Duke plays Washington State on Nov 21 as part of the same series.

Summary

To wrap it up: Acrisure Arena in California will host super exciting college basketball. On December 19, Michigan State and Gonzaga will play a doubleheader (women at 11 a.m., men at 2:30 p.m.). Tickets go on sale July 15 and cover both games. Both men’s teams are historically great with long tournament streaks, and the women’s teams are excellent too. This comes after Duke’s game in November. The arena also hosts hockey and soon a minor-league basketball team. It’s a fun time for fans of all ages!

FAQ

Q1: What is a doubleheader?
A: It’s when two games happen one after another on the same day, and one ticket lets you watch both. Here, the women’s game is first, then the men’s game.

Q2: What is the Acrisure Series?
A: It’s a set of college basketball games held every year around Thanksgiving at Acrisure Arena. The December 19 game is a special extra part of that series.

Q3: Who are the famous coaches?
A: Tom Izzo coaches Michigan State men, and Mark Few coaches Gonzaga men. Both are in the Hall of Fame and are friends.

Q4: When can I buy tickets for the Michigan State-Gonzaga games?
A: Starting Wednesday, July 15. One ticket covers both the women’s and men’s games.

Q5: Why do many Gonzaga fans live near the arena in winter?
A: Because lots of people from the Pacific Northwest (where Gonzaga is) travel to the Palm Springs area for winter, like "snowbirds" escaping cold weather.