CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia women’s basketball will face Kentucky in the 2026 Sprouts Farmer’s Market ESPNW Invitational on Dec. 20 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., UVA Athletics announced Thursday. 

Virginia will take on the Wildcats in first game of a doubleheader, with UConn and LSU to follow in the other matchup.   

This is the second iteration of the Sprouts Farmer’s Market ESPNW Invitational.  In its inaugural year last year, Baylor and Texas battled each other at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.   

Both Virginia and Kentucky made the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament last season, with Virginia falling 79-69 to TCU, and Kentucky falling to Texas 76-54.   

“The opportunity to showcase our program against such a powerful opponent will be a great measuring stick for this new and young team. Our goal is to play against the nation’s best and to be grouped with these top programs for many events like this in the future.” UVA head coach Aaron Roussell said in a statement. 

Tickets will go on sale for this game and every other on UVA’s schedule this fall.