PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's John R. Rockwell Head Coach of Men's Basketball, Fran McCaffery, has announced his program's non-conference schedule. The highly anticipated season is highlighted by the centennial celebration of the historic Palestra. 
 
The 2026-27 campaign tips off with an NCAA First Round rematch at Illinois on Nov. 5. The Quakers return to University City to take on Howard on Nov. 9 at the Palestra. This game is part of a neutral site doubleheader and is not included in Penn's season ticket package.
 
Penn will then visit the United States Naval Academy and the Midshipmen on Nov. 11 for the 2026 Veterans Classic. The road trip returns to West Philadelphia as the red and blue open Big 5 Pod play at Saint Joseph's on Nov. 14.
 
The first official home game occurs just two days later, taking on DIII DeSales at the Palestra (Nov. 16). The Quakers visit La Salle for a non-pod matchup on Nov. 21 before returning home on Nov. 24 to wrap up the Big 5 round robin against Drexel and unveil the Ivy League Tournament Championship banner. November concludes with the fifth annual Cathedral Classic featuring matchups against Towson (Nov. 27) and Bucknell (Nov. 28). Penn opens the month of December with Division II opponent Kutztown (Dec. 1).
 
For the fourth straight year, the Toyota Big 5 Classic takes place on Saturday, December 5 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The red and blue then visits Lafayette (Dec. 7), followed by the final non-conference home series against Monmouth (Dec. 19) and American (Dec. 22). Non-conference play concludes on Dec. 29 as the Quakers visit Michigan State.
 
Season ticket renewals for the 2026-27 season are now live. Visit pennathletics.com/tickets and login to your ticket account or contact the Penn Athletics Ticket Office at (215) 898 6151 or tickets@pobox.upenn.edu to renew your seats today. New season tickets will go on sale in late September. 
  
2025-26 Penn Men's Basketball Non-Conference schedule
Thursday, November 5 – at Illinois
Monday, November 9 – vs Howard (at the Palestra)
Wednesday, November 11 – at Navy (Veterans Classic)
Saturday, November 14 – at Saint Joseph's
Monday, November 16 – DESALES
Saturday, November 21 – at La Salle
Tuesday, November 24 – DREXEL
Friday, November 27 – TOWSON (Cathedral Classic)
Saturday, November 28 – BUCKNELL (Cathedral Classic)
Tuesday, December 1 – KUTZTOWN
Saturday, December 5 – at Toyota Big 5 Classic
Monday, December 7 – at Lafayette
Saturday, December 19 – MONMOUTH
Tuesday, December 22 – AMERICAN
Tuesday, December 29 – at Michigan State