Gonzaga and Michigan State Men’s and Women’s Doubleheader Headline Acrisure Series Event
7/13/2026 7:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
National Powerhouses Set for Marquee Holiday Showcase in the Greater Palm Springs Area on Dec. 19
GREATER PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Acrisure Series returns to the Coachella Valley this December with one of the premier holiday events in college basketball as Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and Michigan State Spartans men's basketball, along with the women's programs from Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball and Michigan State Spartans women's basketball, will meet in a major men's and women's doubleheader on Dec. 19 at Acrisure Arena. The 2026 Acrisure Series is presented by Acrisure, Visit Greater Palm Springs and Spotlight 29 Casino.
This showcase will feature two of college basketball's premier brands on one of the sport's biggest December stages. With elite programs and passionate fan bases, the Gonzaga vs. Michigan State doubleheader is expected to be one of the marquee non-conference events of the holiday season.
Tickets for the December 19 showcase featuring Gonzaga vs. Michigan State men's basketball and Gonzaga vs. Michigan State women's basketball will go on sale July 15 at 10:00 am PT at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena, and at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena with exclusive presale access for club members beginning today.
Additional event details, including official tip-off times and premium hospitality options, will be announced when available. Admission for Gonzaga vs. Michigan State women's and men's doubleheader will include access to both games under one ticket package. Additional event details, including courtside seating, suites, and group sales opportunities, will be announced when available.
"We are excited to bring a true marquee doubleheader like Gonzaga and Michigan State to Acrisure Arena this December," said Total Sports Consulting President and co-tournament director Dan Shell. "Having both the men's and women's programs compete at Acrisure Arena creates an incredible holiday basketball experience and continues to elevate what the Acrisure Series represents nationally. This is exactly the type of event we want to continue building in the Coachella Valley. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our partners and everyone involved in helping make this event possible and continuing to establish the Coachella Valley as one of the premier destinations in college basketball."
"Sponsoring the Acrisure Series reflects our continued commitment to excellence and community engagement," said Greg Williams, Chairman and CEO of Acrisure. "Bringing programs like Gonzaga and Michigan State to the Coachella Valley creates an incredible experience for fans while continuing to establish Acrisure Arena as a premier destination for major sporting events."
"We're very excited about the opportunity to return to Palm Springs and play at Acrisure Arena. We played the first college basketball game there a few years back, and it was a great environment and a great arena. Our good friend Greg Williams and his wife, Dawn, are part of the leadership group at the arena. They care a great deal about Michigan State, and they have embraced the Palm Springs area and the community there. Getting the chance to play against a terrific program in Gonzaga that is led by one of my great friends in college basketball, Mark Few, made this an easy game to put on our schedule. Michigan State has a great alumni presence in Southern California, and I know our West Coast Spartans will be very excited for the game and we are too," stated Tom Izzo, head coach, Michigan State University.
The Spartans expect to be led by a pair of fourth-year players in All-American guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and electric senior forward Coen Carr. Fears was an All-Big Ten First Team selection, earned five All-American honors and led the team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and the nation in assists (9.4 apg). Carr, one of the most electric players in college basketball, was third on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and third in rebounds (5.4 rpg). MSU returns five of its top eight scorers from last year, added senior center Anton Bonke and welcomes a four-player freshman class that was ranked among the top-10 in the country.
"Michigan State has been one of the premier programs in college basketball for a long time, and that's a reflection of the incredible job Tom Izzo has done building and sustaining that program," Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few said. "Tom is not only one of the best coaches our game has ever had, but he's also a great friend and someone I admire tremendously. I have the utmost respect for him, both professionally and personally, so anytime our teams have the chance to compete against each other it's special. These are the kinds of nationally relevant matchups that are great for college basketball, and we're excited to play in a first-class venue in Palm Springs, which is a terrific setting for an event like this."
Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball enters the 2026–27 season coming off another elite year, finishing 31–4 and capturing its 27th West Coast Conference championship. As the program prepares for its transition into the Pac-12 Conference, the Bulldogs are already projected among the nation's top teams, landing No. 9 in The Sporting News' Way-Too-Early rankings. Head coach Mark Few returns a strong core led by Braden Huff, who is expected to be the focal point of Gonzaga's offense after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for the final 17 games of last season. Rising star Davis Fogle is poised for a major breakout season after a strong finish to last year. Gonzaga has also added an impressive incoming class featuring transfer Isiah Harwell, top-40 recruit Luca Foster, 7-foot Mississippi standout Sam Funches, giving the Bulldogs one of the most balanced and intriguing rosters in the country heading into the new season.
"We are thrilled to return to the incredible Palm Springs area and Acrisure Arena for our doubleheader with Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and our women's basketball team this upcoming season. The arena, coupled with the beautiful surrounding area, makes this such a special opportunity for Michigan State Spartans women's basketball, our student-athletes, and our fans. A special thank you to Greg and Dawn Williams for being gracious hosts and such supportive Spartan fans," stated Robyn Fralick, head coach, Michigan State University. Under third-year head coach Robyn Fralick, Michigan State reached the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight season. The Spartans bring back a pair of All-Big Ten honorees in redshirt-junior guard Kennedy Blair and redshirt-senior guard Theryn Hallock. Blair, who earned second-team honors last season, was second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg. Hallock was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year and captured second-team All-Big Ten honors during the 2023-24 season. She missed much of last season due to injury. MSU ended the season with a 23-9 record, which was its third 20+-win season under Fralick.
Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball enters the 2026–27 season following its 16th NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing its 11th West Coast Conference Tournament championship last season. The Bulldogs finished 24–10 overall and 14–4 in WCC play, while head coach Lisa Fortier recorded her 11th 20-win season and surpassed 300 career victories, moving within four wins of becoming the winningest coach in program history. Gonzaga returns one of the top duos in the country in Allie Turner and Lauren Whittaker. Whittaker emerged as one of the nation's premier freshmen, averaging more than 19 points and 10 rebounds per game while earning both WCC Freshman of the Year and WCC Player of the Year honors. Turner earned All-WCC First Team recognition after another standout season, tying the program's single-game record with nine made three-pointers while finishing first nationally in free throw percentage and ranking among the top shooters in the country from beyond the arc.
"We're thrilled to be part of this event and to have the opportunity to play a quality opponent like Michigan State in Palm Springs," Gonzaga women's basketball head coach Lisa Fortier said. "Early season games against nationally respected programs provide a great challenge and help prepare our team for the season ahead. It's an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes to compete on a big stage in a first-class environment against another outstanding program. Acrisure Arena is a tremendous venue, and Palm Springs is a fantastic destination that will create a memorable experience for our team and our fans. We're looking forward to a terrific game and being part of what should be an outstanding event."
"We're thrilled to welcome Gonzaga and Michigan State back to Greater Palm Springs this December," said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. "This event brings tremendous national visibility to our destination while creating an unforgettable experience for alumni, donors, and fans who travel here for elite college basketball."
"The Tribe has always supported sports and entertainment that help grow the region," said Darrell Mike, Chairman of Spotlight 29 Casino. "We're proud to continue supporting the Acrisure Series and helping make the Coachella Valley one of the top sports destinations in Southern California."
This December showcase continues the Acrisure Series tradition of bringing elite college basketball to the Greater Palm Springs area and further establishes the Coachella Valley as one of the premier destinations in the country for major non-conference college basketball events.
Event Details:
Saturday – December 19, 2026
11:00 AM PT – Women's Game: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Michigan State Spartans
2:30 PM PT – Men's Game: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Michigan State Spartans
Ticket Information
Tickets will be available online at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena. Tickets will also be available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Admission includes access to both games of the men's and women's doubleheader. Premium hospitality options, courtside seating, suites, and group sales opportunities will also be available.
About Acrisure Arena
Opened in December 2022, Acrisure Arena provides the greater Palm Springs area with a premier 11,000+ capacity venue hosting the biggest artists, sporting events, and entertainment experiences in the region. The arena also serves as the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken and the Coachella Valley Lakers, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Partner Hotel Information
Fans traveling to Palm Springs for the 2026 Acrisure Series Christmas Event can now book official partner hotel accommodations at both La Quinta Resort & Club and JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Both properties serve as premier host hotels for the Acrisure Series and provide fans, alumni, donors, and supporters with a first-class Palm Springs experience throughout the event weekend. These partner hotels are also where participating teams stay, creating a unique opportunity for fans to stay with the teams and be part of the full event atmosphere. Special fan rates are now available through the official booking links attached here, allowing guests to secure preferred pricing while staying at two of the top resort destinations in the Coachella Valley. With luxury accommodations, premium amenities, and close proximity to Acrisure Arena, both properties offer the ideal home base for the weekend.
Partner Hotel Fan Rate Links
La Quinta: https://book.passkey.com/go/ChristmasFanRate
JW Marriott: https://book.passkey.com/go/AcrisureSeriesDec2026
This showcase will feature two of college basketball's premier brands on one of the sport's biggest December stages. With elite programs and passionate fan bases, the Gonzaga vs. Michigan State doubleheader is expected to be one of the marquee non-conference events of the holiday season.
Tickets for the December 19 showcase featuring Gonzaga vs. Michigan State men's basketball and Gonzaga vs. Michigan State women's basketball will go on sale July 15 at 10:00 am PT at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena, and at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena with exclusive presale access for club members beginning today.
Additional event details, including official tip-off times and premium hospitality options, will be announced when available. Admission for Gonzaga vs. Michigan State women's and men's doubleheader will include access to both games under one ticket package. Additional event details, including courtside seating, suites, and group sales opportunities, will be announced when available.
"We are excited to bring a true marquee doubleheader like Gonzaga and Michigan State to Acrisure Arena this December," said Total Sports Consulting President and co-tournament director Dan Shell. "Having both the men's and women's programs compete at Acrisure Arena creates an incredible holiday basketball experience and continues to elevate what the Acrisure Series represents nationally. This is exactly the type of event we want to continue building in the Coachella Valley. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our partners and everyone involved in helping make this event possible and continuing to establish the Coachella Valley as one of the premier destinations in college basketball."
"Sponsoring the Acrisure Series reflects our continued commitment to excellence and community engagement," said Greg Williams, Chairman and CEO of Acrisure. "Bringing programs like Gonzaga and Michigan State to the Coachella Valley creates an incredible experience for fans while continuing to establish Acrisure Arena as a premier destination for major sporting events."
"We're very excited about the opportunity to return to Palm Springs and play at Acrisure Arena. We played the first college basketball game there a few years back, and it was a great environment and a great arena. Our good friend Greg Williams and his wife, Dawn, are part of the leadership group at the arena. They care a great deal about Michigan State, and they have embraced the Palm Springs area and the community there. Getting the chance to play against a terrific program in Gonzaga that is led by one of my great friends in college basketball, Mark Few, made this an easy game to put on our schedule. Michigan State has a great alumni presence in Southern California, and I know our West Coast Spartans will be very excited for the game and we are too," stated Tom Izzo, head coach, Michigan State University.
The Spartans expect to be led by a pair of fourth-year players in All-American guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and electric senior forward Coen Carr. Fears was an All-Big Ten First Team selection, earned five All-American honors and led the team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and the nation in assists (9.4 apg). Carr, one of the most electric players in college basketball, was third on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and third in rebounds (5.4 rpg). MSU returns five of its top eight scorers from last year, added senior center Anton Bonke and welcomes a four-player freshman class that was ranked among the top-10 in the country.
"Michigan State has been one of the premier programs in college basketball for a long time, and that's a reflection of the incredible job Tom Izzo has done building and sustaining that program," Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few said. "Tom is not only one of the best coaches our game has ever had, but he's also a great friend and someone I admire tremendously. I have the utmost respect for him, both professionally and personally, so anytime our teams have the chance to compete against each other it's special. These are the kinds of nationally relevant matchups that are great for college basketball, and we're excited to play in a first-class venue in Palm Springs, which is a terrific setting for an event like this."
Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball enters the 2026–27 season coming off another elite year, finishing 31–4 and capturing its 27th West Coast Conference championship. As the program prepares for its transition into the Pac-12 Conference, the Bulldogs are already projected among the nation's top teams, landing No. 9 in The Sporting News' Way-Too-Early rankings. Head coach Mark Few returns a strong core led by Braden Huff, who is expected to be the focal point of Gonzaga's offense after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for the final 17 games of last season. Rising star Davis Fogle is poised for a major breakout season after a strong finish to last year. Gonzaga has also added an impressive incoming class featuring transfer Isiah Harwell, top-40 recruit Luca Foster, 7-foot Mississippi standout Sam Funches, giving the Bulldogs one of the most balanced and intriguing rosters in the country heading into the new season.
"We are thrilled to return to the incredible Palm Springs area and Acrisure Arena for our doubleheader with Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball and our women's basketball team this upcoming season. The arena, coupled with the beautiful surrounding area, makes this such a special opportunity for Michigan State Spartans women's basketball, our student-athletes, and our fans. A special thank you to Greg and Dawn Williams for being gracious hosts and such supportive Spartan fans," stated Robyn Fralick, head coach, Michigan State University. Under third-year head coach Robyn Fralick, Michigan State reached the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight season. The Spartans bring back a pair of All-Big Ten honorees in redshirt-junior guard Kennedy Blair and redshirt-senior guard Theryn Hallock. Blair, who earned second-team honors last season, was second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg. Hallock was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year and captured second-team All-Big Ten honors during the 2023-24 season. She missed much of last season due to injury. MSU ended the season with a 23-9 record, which was its third 20+-win season under Fralick.
Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball enters the 2026–27 season following its 16th NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing its 11th West Coast Conference Tournament championship last season. The Bulldogs finished 24–10 overall and 14–4 in WCC play, while head coach Lisa Fortier recorded her 11th 20-win season and surpassed 300 career victories, moving within four wins of becoming the winningest coach in program history. Gonzaga returns one of the top duos in the country in Allie Turner and Lauren Whittaker. Whittaker emerged as one of the nation's premier freshmen, averaging more than 19 points and 10 rebounds per game while earning both WCC Freshman of the Year and WCC Player of the Year honors. Turner earned All-WCC First Team recognition after another standout season, tying the program's single-game record with nine made three-pointers while finishing first nationally in free throw percentage and ranking among the top shooters in the country from beyond the arc.
"We're thrilled to be part of this event and to have the opportunity to play a quality opponent like Michigan State in Palm Springs," Gonzaga women's basketball head coach Lisa Fortier said. "Early season games against nationally respected programs provide a great challenge and help prepare our team for the season ahead. It's an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes to compete on a big stage in a first-class environment against another outstanding program. Acrisure Arena is a tremendous venue, and Palm Springs is a fantastic destination that will create a memorable experience for our team and our fans. We're looking forward to a terrific game and being part of what should be an outstanding event."
"We're thrilled to welcome Gonzaga and Michigan State back to Greater Palm Springs this December," said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. "This event brings tremendous national visibility to our destination while creating an unforgettable experience for alumni, donors, and fans who travel here for elite college basketball."
"The Tribe has always supported sports and entertainment that help grow the region," said Darrell Mike, Chairman of Spotlight 29 Casino. "We're proud to continue supporting the Acrisure Series and helping make the Coachella Valley one of the top sports destinations in Southern California."
This December showcase continues the Acrisure Series tradition of bringing elite college basketball to the Greater Palm Springs area and further establishes the Coachella Valley as one of the premier destinations in the country for major non-conference college basketball events.
Event Details:
Saturday – December 19, 2026
11:00 AM PT – Women's Game: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Michigan State Spartans
2:30 PM PT – Men's Game: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Michigan State Spartans
Ticket Information
Tickets will be available online at Ticketmaster.com, the official ticketing provider of Acrisure Arena. Tickets will also be available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena. Admission includes access to both games of the men's and women's doubleheader. Premium hospitality options, courtside seating, suites, and group sales opportunities will also be available.
About Acrisure Arena
Opened in December 2022, Acrisure Arena provides the greater Palm Springs area with a premier 11,000+ capacity venue hosting the biggest artists, sporting events, and entertainment experiences in the region. The arena also serves as the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken and the Coachella Valley Lakers, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Partner Hotel Information
Fans traveling to Palm Springs for the 2026 Acrisure Series Christmas Event can now book official partner hotel accommodations at both La Quinta Resort & Club and JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Both properties serve as premier host hotels for the Acrisure Series and provide fans, alumni, donors, and supporters with a first-class Palm Springs experience throughout the event weekend. These partner hotels are also where participating teams stay, creating a unique opportunity for fans to stay with the teams and be part of the full event atmosphere. Special fan rates are now available through the official booking links attached here, allowing guests to secure preferred pricing while staying at two of the top resort destinations in the Coachella Valley. With luxury accommodations, premium amenities, and close proximity to Acrisure Arena, both properties offer the ideal home base for the weekend.
Partner Hotel Fan Rate Links
La Quinta: https://book.passkey.com/go/ChristmasFanRate
JW Marriott: https://book.passkey.com/go/AcrisureSeriesDec2026
Players Mentioned
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