Penn State, Pitt men’s basketball set for 150th meeting this fall at famed Palestra
Penn State and Pitt men’s basketball are set to renew their rivalry on the hardwood this fall.
The two Pennsylvania programs will meet Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at a neutral site — in Philadelphia’s historic Palestra — at a time to be determined, according to a Thursday morning news release from Penn State Athletics. Ticket and TV information is also not yet available and will be provided at a later time.
The meeting is poised to be a historic one.
Not only will this mark the two rivals’ 150th all-time meeting, but it will also take place at the Palestra in Philadelphia, which is better known as “The Cathedral of College Basketball” for its age and iconic status. The Palestra is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this season.
“Games like this are what college basketball is all about: great history, passionate fan bases and high-level competition,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said in a written statement. “The Palestra is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and the opportunity to celebrate its 100th anniversary while renewing an in-state rivalry for the 150th time makes this a special event for everyone connected to our program.
“We know there will be tremendous energy in the building, and we’re excited for our players to experience that atmosphere as they represent Penn State. We can’t wait to take the floor in Philadelphia and compete.”
The game comes about a year after the two teams last met, when Pitt thumped the Nittany Lions 80-46 on Dec. 21, 2025, inside Hershey’s Giant Center. Before that, the two teams last played on Nov. 20, 2017, at another neutral site in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. (Penn State won that matchup 85-54.)
Overall, the Nittany Lions hold a slim all-time advantage in the rivalry with 76 wins to Pitt’s 73.
Pitt coach Jeff Capel echoed Rhoades’ words when it came to expressing just how special this next meeting would be.
“Every basketball player and coach in this country understands the significance of playing at the Palestra,” Capel said in a Pitt news release. “It’s one of the great venues in the history of the sport, and to play Penn State there in its 100th Anniversary year is a truly unique opportunity. Our players will be walking into a building with a century of history behind it, and after the atmosphere we saw in Hershey last year, I can’t wait to see the energy our fans bring to a place like the Palestra.”
Pitt has not played at the Palestra since 2011 — it is about 300 miles away — while PSU has played there in each of the last four seasons. It is 1-3 over that time and 25-39 all-time, while Pitt’s all-time record there stands at 7-15.
Last season, Pitt finished with a record of 13-20 (5-13 ACC) and missed post-season tournament play. Penn State fared even worse at 12-20 (3-17 Big Ten) and fell in the opening round of the conference tournament.
This is Rhoades’ fourth season at Penn State, and it’s Capel’s ninth season with Pitt.
