Apr 4, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks to the media during a practice session at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The UConn and Louisville women’s basketball teams will tip off the 2025-26 season in the Armed Forces Classic at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Previous editions of the event have been held since 2012, but the Nov. 4, 2025 game announced Thursday will be the first featuring women’s hoops.
“We want to do as much as we possibly can, both personally and team-wise, to support our armed forces,” Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement. “I’m glad we’re getting the opportunity to go overseas and have many of our military members see us play in person. I know it’ll be an experience of a lifetime for everyone in our program.”
The contest will air on ESPN.
“We are extremely thankful to be selected for the 2025 Armed Forces Classic,” Louisville coach Jeff Walz said in a statement. “It will be an incredible experience for our players and staff to play in front of some of our nation’s heroes overseas. We look forward to the opportunity to showcase women’s basketball on an international stage.”
UConn and Louisville opened the 2024-25 season ranked No. 2 and 17, respectively, in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll.
Ramstein hosted the Armed Forces Classic in 2012 and 2017. Other locales have included South Korea, Puerto Rico, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and Texas.
–Field Level Media
