University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt, West Virginia Headline an Unforgettable Night of College Basketball
9/16/2026 11:10:00 AM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH, PA (September 16, 2026) - PPG Paints Arena will become the center of the college basketball world on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, as the Hope Gas Backyard Basketball Classic brings four of the region's premier programs together for a special doubleheader featuring Pitt vs. West Virginia and Robert Morris vs. Duquesne.
The highly anticipated event will showcase two compelling regional matchups in one of Pittsburgh's premier sports and entertainment venues, giving fans an opportunity to experience an entire night of college basketball featuring four programs with deep local ties and passionate fan bases.
The evening will feature Robert Morris taking on Duquesne, and the marquee matchup between Pitt and West Virginia in another chapter of the storied Backyard Brawl rivalry.
"The Hope Gas Basketball Classic is about bringing Pittsburgh's basketball community together for one incredible night," said Gary Desjardins, Sr. Vice President/General Manager of OVG/PPG Paints Arena. "We're incredibly excited to welcome four outstanding programs to PPG Paints Arena and give fans the opportunity to experience two great matchups under one roof. The combination of Robert Morris-Duquesne and Pitt-West Virginia makes this a truly special event for basketball fans throughout the region."
TWO RIVALRIES. ONE BIG NIGHT. The opening matchup will feature two Pittsburgh-area programs when Robert Morris and Duquesne meet on the PPG Paints Arena court.
The matchup provides an opportunity to showcase two local universities while giving fans a chance to experience an all-Pittsburgh basketball rivalry on a major stage.
The night will then culminate with Pitt vs. West Virginia, renewing one of the region's most passionate college rivalries.
The 2026 meeting marks the 193rd all-time meeting between Pitt and West Virginia men's basketball, with WVU holding a 102-90 advantage in the series entering the matchup. The game will also mark the first time West Virginia has faced Pitt at PPG Paints Arena.
The Backyard Basketball Classic will be an exciting event that the whole city of Pittsburgh should rally around," Pitt Director of Athletics C. Allen Greene said. "Headlining a doubleheader at PPG Paints Arena with the Backyard Brawl puts Pitt at the center of a marquee event that will surely turn into a memorable night for our fans and our city. Pittsburgh basketball fans deserve events like this and we're excited to help spearhead it.
This will be a fun and exciting night of basketball at PPG Paints Arena," West Virginia Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. "It's exciting to continue our partnership with Hope Gas and play the Backyard Brawl at PPG Paints Arena. Four great teams with loyal fan bases will make this one of the best early season college basketball nights in the countryA NIGHT FOR THE REGION - The Hope Gas Basketball Classic is designed to bring together fans from throughout Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the surrounding region for a celebration of college basketball.
With four universities, two marquee matchups and one iconic venue, the event will offer fans a unique opportunity to experience multiple rivalries during a single night.
PPG Paints Arena has become a premier destination for major sporting events and entertainment in Pittsburgh, and the Hope Gas Basketball Classic adds another significant sporting event to the venue's calendar.
Tickets for the Hope Gas Basketball Classic will be available to the public at ppgpaintsarena.com and ticketmaster.com beginning on Friday, September 25th at 10 AM.
A single ticket will provide fans access to both games, allowing them to experience the full night of college basketball at PPG Paints Arena.
Additional information regarding game times, ticket pricing, premium seating, parking and fan experiences will be available at ww.ppgpaintsarena.com
ABOUT PITT ATHLETICS
The University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics sponsors 19 varsity sports and is a proud member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Guided by The Gold Standard, Pitt Athletics is committed to setting the standard for excellence in competition, in the classroom and in life, developing champions who compete at the highest level and are prepared for everything that comes after sport. For more information, visit pittsburghpanthers.com.
About West Virginia Athletics:
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at West Virginia University is built on grit and driven by excellence. The department sponsors 18 varsity sports with more than 500 student-athletes competing in baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross country, football, men's golf, women's gymnastics, women's indoor and outdoor track, rifle, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, women's volleyball, women's rowing and wrestling. As a member of a Power 4 conference and the state's flagship University, WVU Athletics competes in the Big 12 Conference in all sports except men's soccer (Sun Belt Conference) and rifle (Great American Rifle Conference) and strives for national excellence and prominence. WVU Athletics builds winners in sports and leaders in life.
ABOUT DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
Perched on the Bluff overlooking downtown Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a private Catholic research university founded in 1878 by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (the Spiritans) serving over 8,200 students. The only Spiritan institution of higher education in the United States, Duquesne offers 20 NCAA Division I programs. The Dukes are a charter member of the Atlantic 10 conference, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the men's basketball program has appeared in the NCAA Tournament six times as well as the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on 17 occasions. Duquesne won the 1955 championship in the NIT.
ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
Robert Morris University is a private university located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. Founded in 1921, RMU offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and is committed to providing students with career-focused education and experiential learning opportunities. Robert Morris University men's basketball competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Horizon League. The Colonials play their home games at the UPMC Events Center in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and have made multiple NCAA Tournament and postseason appearances throughout program history. RMU men's basketball is committed to excellence on the court, in the classroom, and throughout the community.
