Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs have never been afraid to challenge themselves with a rigorous non-conference slate, regularly playing multiple top ranked opponents before settling into the WCC regular season.
The upcoming 2025-26 season – Gonzaga’s last in the WCC – is no different.
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Between scheduling multiple series with marquee college basketball programs and joining the incredibly loaded Players Era Festival over Thanksgiving week, coach Few and the Zags will have no shortage of early season tests to help prepare for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament after missing the Sweet 16 this past year for the first time since 2014.
Dec 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle (99) goes up for a dunk against Kentucky Wildcats center Amari Williams (22) during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
This article is a look at every known non-conference opponent for Gonzaga in the 2025-26 college basketball season, and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Games
Oklahoma Sooners: November 8, 2025 (Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA)
First game in what will likely be a series. Other details still TBD.
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Kentucky Wildcats: December 5, 2025 (Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN)
Fourth game in a six-year series agreed to by coach Few and John Calipari prior to the 2022-23 season. Gonzaga won the first game at the Spokane Arena and the second game at Rupp Arena, but lost last season to new coach Mark Pope at Climate Pledge Arena.
The fifth game in this series will be at Rupp Arena in 2026-27, and the final game will be at The Kennel in 2027-28.
UCLA Bruins: December 13, 2025 (Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA)
Second game in a two year series agreed to prior to the 2024-25 season. Gonzaga lost the first game at the Intuit Dome last year.
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Baylor Bears: (Date and Location TBD)
Second game in a three year series agreed to prior to last season. Gonzaga won the first game at the Spokane Arena to open up the 2024-25 campaign.
Arizona State Sun Devils: (Date TBD) (Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, AZ)
Second game in a two year home-and-home series agreed to prior to last year. Gonzaga won the first game at The Kennel at the start of the 2024-25 season.
Players Era NIL Festival: Thanksgiving Week (official dates and matchups TBD) (Las Vegas, NV)
Gonzaga is one of 18 teams known to be participating in the second year of the Players Era Festival, a multi-team event taking place over Thanksgiving week at the MGM Garden Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
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While the dates, times, and matchups are to be determined, here are the other 17 teams set to participate this November, as of now: Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Creighton, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Rutgers, San Diego State, St. Joe’s, St. John’s, Syracuse, Tennessee, and UNLV.
Related: Gonzaga Ranked Number One Player Development Program in College Basketball
