The Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Sun Belt Conference (SBC) have extended their partnership for the MAC-SBC Challenge in men's and women's basketball until the 2028-29 season. Each year, 12 teams from both conferences will compete in two games, with all matchups broadcasted on ESPN. This extension aims to provide high-quality competition and greater exposure for the participating student-athletes and institutions. MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher and SBC Commissioner Keith Gill expressed enthusiasm for the series, citing its success in generating compelling non-conference games.

By the Numbers
  • 12 MAC teams will compete against 12 Sun Belt teams each year.
  • The challenge begins on November 2, 2026, and continues through the 2028-29 season.
State of Play
  • The MAC-SBC Challenge has established a successful track record over three years.
  • Both conferences will guarantee one home and one away game for all participating teams annually.
What's Next

The 2026-27 season will see the opening of the MAC-SBC Challenge, starting with matchups on November 2. The scheduling model will utilize NET data and historical matchups to ensure competitive pairings moving forward.

Bottom Line

The extension of the MAC-SBC Challenge solidifies a commitment to enhance the visibility and competitiveness of both conferences, creating valuable opportunities for growth and exposure for student-athletes.