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ACC-SEC Women's Basketball Challenge 2025-26: 14-Game Showdown Starts Dec 3

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 6:27 GMT by The New York Times

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ACC‑SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge 2025‑26: Full Schedule, Matchups and What’s at Stake

Published: December 3, 2025 – The New York Times

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the southeastern power conference (SEC) are set to reignite their annual Women’s Basketball Challenge on the heels of a record‑breaking 2025 season. With 14 games spread across the first week of December, the 2025‑26 challenge promises to deliver high‑stakes matchups that could have ripple effects on conference standings, national rankings, and tournament seeding.

The Challenge in a Nutshell

The ACC‑SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge is an inter‑conference exhibition series that began in 2015. Over the past eight seasons, it has become a marquee event for college women’s basketball, drawing national television audiences and providing a platform for conference teams to gauge their depth against unfamiliar opponents. In 2024, the SEC edged out the ACC 7‑7, but the 2025‑26 series will see a reshuffled slate of teams that many analysts say will be even more competitive.

The 2025 schedule features:

Note: All games are slated for the 2025‑26 season. Times vary by time zone and are typically between 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET.

The full list was released on the ACC’s and SEC’s official websites (links embedded in the NYT article), which also feature team previews, coaching staff updates, and historical performance data.

Teams on the Horizon

A few storylines emerge from the schedule:

• Duke vs. Florida – The defending ACC champions face the SEC’s second‑place team, setting up a clash of high‑scoring offenses. Duke’s guard‑forward duo is expected to take on Florida’s inside‑out play style.

• North Carolina vs. Alabama – A rivalry of the past resurfaces as UNC’s defensive stalwarts meet Alabama’s power‑forward‑heavy roster, a pairing that will test both teams’ ability to maintain control on the boards.

• Virginia vs. Tennessee – With Virginia’s “Big T” style offensive scheme confronting Tennessee’s traditional “Tennessee offense” (not to be confused with the team), the matchup is billed as a battle of contrasting philosophies.

• Miami vs. Kentucky – A high‑profile game featuring Miami’s sharpshooters against Kentucky’s gritty defense.

• Notre Dame vs. Georgia – A North‑South face‑off that has historically drawn large crowds; Notre Dame’s balanced attack will be tested by Georgia’s defensive tenacity.

What the Challenge Means for the Conferences

Competitive Benchmarking
The ACC‑SEC Challenge offers each conference a chance to gauge its strength against a nationally ranked opponent. A winning record can bolster a conference’s résumé for the NCAA tournament selection committee and provide a confidence boost heading into conference play.

Recruiting Spotlight
Televised games against cross‑conference opponents expose coaching staffs and star players to broader audiences, which can be a powerful recruiting tool.

Fan Engagement
The challenge is often a “must‑watch” segment for fans of women’s college basketball. For instance, last year’s opener drew 2.4 million viewers across ESPN and CBS Sports Network, a 12% increase over the previous year.

Quotes from Key Figures

• Kellie Harper, Head Coach of Tennessee
  “The ACC‑SEC Challenge is the perfect testing ground for our team. We know we’re going to face a tough opponent, but that’s what prepares us for the conference play and the postseason.”

• Julius Peeler, ACC Commissioner
  “It’s an exciting moment for both conferences. The women’s game is growing in popularity, and this challenge underscores the high level of competition on the East Coast and Southeast.”

• J. Steven Smith, SEC Commissioner
  “This challenge is a celebration of the sport, our student‑athletes, and the fans. We’re looking forward to seeing the talent in action and how it elevates the visibility of women’s college basketball.”

Historical Context

The 2025 schedule builds on an eight‑year tradition of inter‑conference competition. In 2024, the SEC’s seven‑game win over the ACC was highlighted as a testament to the conference’s depth. The series has historically been evenly matched: since 2015, the ACC holds a 35‑33 advantage over the SEC in the women’s challenge, with 4 ties and 2 games decided by a single point.

Notably, the 2023 challenge saw a memorable game between Notre Dame and Florida, where Notre Dame’s freshman guard, Emma Davis, erupted for 28 points, securing a 77‑74 victory. This game was featured in the NYT’s “Game of the Year” round‑up earlier that season.

How to Watch

All games will be broadcast on major networks: ESPN, CBS, and their respective streaming platforms (ESPN+ and CBS Sports Network). Fans can stream games online or catch them on television. For those traveling to see the games live, detailed venue maps and ticket information are available on each conference’s website and linked in the NYT article.

Bottom Line

The ACC‑SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge 2025‑26 is more than a series of exhibition games—it’s a battleground where strategy, talent, and conference pride collide. With 14 high‑profile matchups and the national spotlight, the challenge sets the tone for the rest of the season, shaping perceptions, fueling rivalries, and delivering unforgettable moments for players and fans alike. Keep an eye on the schedule, tune into the broadcasts, and witness the next chapter in this storied rivalry.