Cincinnati-Louisville Rivalry Returns with Games at Heritage Bank Center and Freedom Hall, Reviving a Historic Clash
CINCINNATI, OH — One of college basketball’s fiercest rivalries is officially back, as the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville have agreed to a two-game neutral-site series that will bring their storied showdown to two iconic arenas: Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati and Freedom Hall in Louisville.
The first game will tip off in 2025 at Heritage Bank Center, located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. In 2026, the rivalry will shift to Freedom Hall, the legendary former home of the Louisville Cardinals. By selecting these neutral yet historically rich venues, both schools are aiming to rekindle the spirit of one of college basketball’s most intense matchups while bringing it to a broader stage.
The decision to stage the rivalry at off-campus arenas reflects a strategic effort to elevate its profile and draw in a larger base of fans, including alumni and casual viewers. Both venues hold deep basketball significance—Heritage Bank Center has hosted major events in the Queen City, while Freedom Hall was once the epicenter of college hoops in Kentucky.
Cincinnati and Louisville last met in 2014, but their rivalry stretches back nearly a century, marked by physical contests, postseason implications, and conference drama through their years in the Missouri Valley, Metro, Conference USA, and Big East.
“This isn’t just a game—it’s history,” said a former Bearcats player. “Playing at Heritage Bank Center and Freedom Hall brings that history alive for a new generation.”
With dates and times to be finalized, excitement is already building for a series that promises to blend nostalgia with new energy—cementing the rivalry’s place in the national spotlight once again.
