UConn vs. Iowa, Tennessee vs. Louisville set for second Women’s Champions Classic in Brooklyn

The Women’s Champions Classic is coming back to Brooklyn in 2025. 

After more than 11,000 fans packed into Barclays Center in December for the inaugural marquee college basketball event, organizers announced Wednesday the two-game showcase will return for a second season. 

Connecticut, Iowa, Tennessee and Louisville will once again headline the prime-time doubleheader, scheduled for Dec. 20. The games will be aired on Fox. 

The Lady Vols are scheduled to play the Cardinals, while the Hawkeyes and Huskies will face off. 

Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said last year’s event was “everything I hoped it would be” during the planning process. 

“We’re thrilled to return to Barclays Center next season,” Auriemma said. “I can’t wait to see how the event evolves as we continue it for the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, Iowa coach Jan Jensen described the Women’s Champions Classic as “premier event” that provided players with “an early NCAA Tournament feel.” 

The Women’s Champions Classic mirrors an annual men’s college basketball showcase that’s been around since 2011 and features Michigan State, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky.

At last year’s event in Brooklyn, Tennessee’s press defense proved to be too much for Iowa and Connecticut handled Louisville with ease. 

No. 3 Connecticut (30-3, 18-0 Big East) claimed its 12th straight conference tournament title earlier this week, with projected 2025 No. 1 WNBA draft pick Paige Bueckers being named the tournament’s most outstanding player for a record third time. 

Meanwhile, Tennessee (22-9, 8-8 SEC) is currently ranked No. 22 nationally, while Iowa (22-10, 10-8 Big Ten) and Louisville (21-10, 13-5 ACC) were left out of this week’s AP Top 25. 

All four teams, though, are projected to be at least a No. 7 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which begins next week.