HUSKERS HEAD TO BIGIRON EVENTS CENTER FOR EXHIBITION MATCHUP

Nebraska men’s basketball to face Kansas State in Grand Island, presented by Pinnacle Bank

GRAND ISLAND, NE — The Husker men’s basketball team is coming to Grand Island this fall, as Nebraska will take on Kansas State at BigIron Events Center in a matchup presented by Pinnacle Bank.

The Huskers and Wildcats will meet Monday, Oct. 26, at Eihusen Arena inside BigIron Events Center. Ticket information, tipoff time and broadcast details will be announced later this summer. The Grand Island game will not be included in Nebraska’s 2026–27 men’s basketball season-ticket packages.

“Hosting Nebraska and Kansas State at BigIron Events Center is a tremendous opportunity for Grand Island and all of central Nebraska,” said Kyler Tarwater, Executive Director of BigIron Events Center. “High-profile events like this showcase the strength of our community, support local businesses and hotels, and reinforce Grand Island’s position as a destination for major sports and entertainment.”

“We have a lot of fans in central Nebraska and are excited to bring the Huskers to Grand Island,” Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “With a third exhibition game, it provides us an opportunity to build our brand across the state, and we appreciate Head Coach Casey Alexander and the Wildcats for making this matchup happen. We have had a lot of great matchups with K-State over the years, including last year’s Hall of Fame Classic, and it should be a tremendous environment.”

Alexander takes over the Kansas State program this season after guiding Belmont to a 166-60 record in seven seasons. His Bruins won four conference championships, including the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title, and finished last season with a 26-6 record. Alexander also coached current Husker Sam Orme at Belmont. Kansas State will enter the season with a retooled roster featuring just one returnee from last year’s team.

Nebraska’s returning roster is headlined by first-team All-Big Ten selection Pryce Sandfort and Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Braden Frager. The Huskers also welcome back Connor Essegian and have added an eight-member newcomer class that includes transfers Sam Orme, Trevan Leonhardt, Boden Kapke and Taj DeGourville, along with top-150 recruits Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.

“Pinnacle Bank is proud to be part of bringing this special Nebraska vs Kansas State old Big 8 rivalry game to Grand Island,” said Bart Qualsett, Pinnacle Bank’s Market President for Grand Island. “Thank you to the entire Husker Basketball program for making this possible. We can’t wait to welcome you to greater Nebraska this fall.”

The Nebraska-Kansas State matchup continues BigIron Events Center’s growing emphasis on attracting high-profile athletic events to Grand Island. Eihusen Arena welcomed a sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 fans for a LOVB Nebraska professional volleyball match earlier this year and hosts professional arena football, the Heartland Hoops Classic, the Nebraska Cheer & Dance Championship, the USA Wrestling Folkstyle State Tournament and numerous basketball, volleyball, wrestling and other regional competitions.

The Grand Island matchup with Kansas State is Nebraska’s third exhibition game. The Huskers will host Saint Louis on Friday, Oct. 9, and travel to BYU on Friday, Oct. 16. Beginning with the 2026–27 season, schools are permitted to play up to three exhibition games.

Fans can join the Nebraska men’s basketball 2026–27 season-ticket request list through the Nebraska Athletics website. Student tickets for the 2026–27 season are already sold out.