CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Virginia men’s basketball team will host its first ever preseason exhibition game October 24 when they welcome the Villanova Wildcats to John Paul Jones Arena.

The contest will feature two championship caliber programs meeting in Charlottesville. Virginia captured its first ever National Championship in 2019 under Tony Bennett while the Wildcats secured titles in 2016 and 2018 under former head coach Jay Wright.

Both teams will be breaking in new head coaches for the 2025-26 season, however. Virginia named Ryan Odom its 13th head coach in program history on March 22 while Villanova hired former Seton Hall and Maryland head coach Kevin Willard on March 30. Willard takes over after three seasons with the Terrapins that included a run to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The exhibition will also give Virginia fans their first look at 11 new incoming players joining the Virginia roster for next season.

The Cavaliers are 6-3 all time against the Wildcats. Last season Virginia defeated Villanova 70-60 at the Hall of Fame Series in Baltimore. The last time the two sides met in Charlottesville Bennett’s Cavaliers defeated Wright’s Wildcats 86-75 during the 2015-16 season.

The contest is slated for 7 p.m. and tickets will be free of charge for season ticket holders who can claim up to the same number of seats as in their ticket package. All other seats besides the first two rows of courtside seating will be general admission available for $25. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 4 at 9 a.m.