The annual Ballin in Boutwell basketball showcase is set to return to downtown Birmingham this fall with its biggest lineup yet, as Alabama, Auburn and Samford will headline an expanded schedule featuring both men’s and women’s basketball programs inside the historic Boutwell Auditorium.
Event organizers announced that the 2026 edition will feature five preseason basketball games, the largest slate in the event’s history, along with a new youth basketball showcase, further cementing Ballin in Boutwell as one of Alabama’s premier preseason basketball celebrations.
Presented by Nike and Hibbett, the multi-day event will once again bring some of the state’s top college basketball programs together while giving fans an early look at several teams before the start of the regular season.
Alabama returns for third consecutive appearance
The University of Alabama will participate in Ballin in Boutwell for the third straight season, continuing its commitment to the rapidly growing preseason event.
The Crimson Tide men’s basketball team is scheduled to face Ole Miss in a preseason exhibition on October 15, offering one of the marquee matchups of this year’s showcase.
The game will provide Alabama with an opportunity to test its roster against a fellow Southeastern Conference opponent before the official start of the 2026-27 campaign.
Meanwhile, the Alabama women’s basketball team will also participate in the event, taking on Alabama Huntsville (UAH) in another preseason contest.
The inclusion of both men’s and women’s programs highlights Alabama’s continued support for the Birmingham showcase as organizers continue expanding the event each year.
Auburn returns with both basketball programs
The Auburn Tigers will also make their return to Ballin in Boutwell after a successful appearance in last year’s event.
The Tigers’ men’s basketball team will play in Birmingham for the second consecutive year, opening its preseason schedule with a challenging matchup against Florida State on October 14.
The contest is expected to draw significant attention as both programs prepare for another competitive college basketball season.
Head coach Steven Pearl expressed excitement about opening Auburn’s preseason in one of Alabama’s most historic basketball venues.
“We’re thrilled to open the season at Boutwell Auditorium against a quality opponent like Florida State,” Pearl said.
“Ballin in Boutwell provides a great opportunity for our team to gain valuable experience while competing in front of our incredible fans at an outstanding venue. We can’t wait to tip off the season in such a special atmosphere.”
Pearl noted that the preseason matchup will allow his players to gain valuable game experience while also reconnecting with Auburn supporters in the Birmingham area before the regular season officially begins.
Auburn women eager to return
The Auburn women’s basketball team will also participate in this year’s expanded event, facing Central Florida (UCF) in its preseason opener.
Head coach Larry Vickers said his team is looking forward to returning to Birmingham after receiving tremendous fan support during last year’s visit.
“We’re so excited to play in Birmingham this year,” Vickers said.
“Last year we had a neutral game there, and the fans came out and really supported us. We also saw what the men’s game at Boutwell was like last year, and we’re super excited to be a part of that process.”
Vickers praised the enthusiastic atmosphere surrounding the event and believes the experience will help prepare his players for the challenges of the upcoming season.
Samford joins expanded showcase
Joining Alabama and Auburn will be hometown program Samford University, giving local fans another opportunity to watch one of Birmingham’s own programs compete.
The Samford Bulldogs men’s basketball team is scheduled to face Alabama A&M on October 13, officially opening the three-day basketball showcase.
Samford’s inclusion further strengthens the event’s connection to the Birmingham community while showcasing another successful in-state basketball program.
Event reaches new milestone
The 2026 edition represents a significant milestone for Ballin in Boutwell.
For the first time since the event was established, organizers have expanded the schedule to include five games, making it the largest version of the showcase to date.
In addition to the expanded college basketball lineup, organizers have introduced a youth basketball showcase, creating additional opportunities for young athletes and local basketball fans to participate throughout the event.
The expanded format reflects the growing popularity of Ballin in Boutwell, which has steadily increased in attendance and community engagement over its first two editions.
Historic venue remains centerpiece
All games will once again be played inside Boutwell Auditorium, one of Birmingham’s most recognizable sports and entertainment venues.
The historic arena has become an ideal setting for the preseason showcase, combining the tradition of Alabama basketball with a unique atmosphere that differs from standard campus arenas.
Its downtown location has also made the event easily accessible for basketball fans across the state, contributing to strong attendance during previous editions.
Hibbett and Nike continue partnership
The showcase will once again be presented by Nike and Birmingham-based retailer Hibbett, whose continued partnership has helped expand the event’s reach.
Hibbett President and Chief Executive Officer Jared Briskin said organizers are committed to building on the momentum generated over the past two years.
“We’re excited to be back in the historic Boutwell Auditorium for the third edition of Ballin in Boutwell,” Briskin said.
“Last year, the Birmingham community experienced four thrilling basketball games, exclusive Ballin in Boutwell Nike merchandise and unique fan activations that could only be found at Ballin in Boutwell.”
Briskin added that this year’s expanded event will provide even more entertainment and exclusive experiences for fans.
“We’re excited to continue to build on the momentum to offer the Birmingham community more basketball and exclusive experiences that are only available at the Ballin in Boutwell games.”
Basketball celebration continues to grow
Since its launch, Ballin in Boutwell has evolved from a preseason exhibition into one of Alabama’s premier college basketball events.
By bringing together nationally recognized programs such as Alabama and Auburn alongside local institutions like Samford, the showcase has become a celebration of basketball across the state.
With additional games, new youth programming, exclusive merchandise, interactive fan experiences and several high-profile preseason matchups on the schedule, the 2026 edition is expected to be the largest and most successful Ballin in Boutwell event yet.
Fans will have the opportunity to watch elite college basketball inside one of Alabama’s most iconic venues while getting an early preview of several teams expected to make noise during the upcoming 2026-27 season.
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