- Tickets Still Available For Doubleheader Featuring Nearby Schools UMass and Rhode Island -
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in partnership with a local organizing committee comprised of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Springfield Business Improvement District, the MassMutual Center, and the University of Massachusetts, announced MGM Springfield and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as the title and presenting sponsors of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, respectively.
The MGM Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, presented by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, takes place on “World Basketball Day,” Saturday, Dec. 21, at the MassMutual Center and will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. Additional information on celebrating World Basketball Day will be coming soon.
Saturday, Dec. 21
4:00 PM EST - Arizona State vs. UMass
6:30 PM EST - Temple vs. Rhode Island
“We are proud to work with local stakeholders to bring local businesses in as sponsors of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Thank you to MGM Springfield and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for supporting the Hall of Fame Classic and helping us fulfill our mission of celebrating and promoting basketball’s history and bringing four great teams to the ‘Birthplace of Basketball.’”
"This iconic event in the birthplace of basketball is a hoop dream realized for many of the sports' up and coming stars,” said Louis Theros, MGM Springfield President and COO. "MGM Springfield is incredibly proud to support and celebrate the Classic, honoring basketball’s rich legacy, inspiring future generations, bringing visitors to downtown, and shining a light on the City of Firsts."
"The Basketball Hall of Fame Classic is a slam dunk for Massachusetts tourism,” said Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “By celebrating World Basketball Day in the sport's birthplace, we're inviting visitors from across the country to experience the excitement of the game and explore our state's diverse offerings."
Tickets for the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic are on sale now via massmutualcenter.com and the MassMutual Center Box Office. For more information, please visit hoophall.com.Group ticket pricing and hospitality opportunities are also available.
Media can apply for credentials to the event via hoophall.com/media.
About MassMutual Center
MassMutual Center is managed by the entertainment and hospitality industry leader, MGM Springfield, and owned by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. MassMutual Center is Western Massachusetts’ most diverse function space, with over 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 40,000 sq. ft. flexible exhibit hall, five fully-functional meeting rooms, a 15,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and an 8,000-seat arena. The facility is the proud home to the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds and American International College D1 Men’s Hockey team, in addition to hosting family shows, concerts, meetings, social and corporate functions, sporting events, and more.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallU.