On October 26, Tennessee will play Duke in an exhibition match in Knoxville.
On October 26, 2025, the University of Tennessee Volunteers will host the Duke Blue Devils in a high-profile exhibition matchup at the Food City Center in Knoxville. Tip‑off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time, though the TV network carrying the game has not yet been announced Fans and college basketball observers have circled this date on their calendars, as it represents both a marquee preseason engagement for Tennessee and an early test for Duke’s young roster.
The two programs bring a shared history to this encounter: they have met 16 times in official games, with an all‑time series tied 8–8. Their most recent clash came in the 2023 NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 in Orlando, where Tennessee upset Duke by a 65–52 margin. Duke last visited Knoxville in December 1976, when the Blue Devils claimed an 81–78 win; prior home meetings on Tennessee’s floor occurred in the 1930s through the early 1950s (
This exhibition marks a departure for Tennessee, which will play two Division I opponents in preseason games for the first time. Last season and prior years included a single Division I exhibition; now, following an NCAA rule update allowing two such games, Tennessee is hosting Duke and was attempting to schedule an earlier game at Michigan (though that did not finalize)
Ticketing details: the game will not be included in season‑ticket packages. Upper‑deck seating starts at $20, lower‑bowl tickets begin at $35, while Tennessee students can claim free tickets beginning October 20. The season‑ticket holders had first right of refusal through August 8, donors were invited to presales in mid‑August, and public sales began August 15 at 10 a.m. ETParking info is pending.
From Tennessee’s perspective, this is a major opportunity. Head coach Rick Barnes emphasized his respect for Duke coach Jon Scheyer and Duke’s program, and characterized the matchup as “a high‑level exhibition game” that should help prepare both teams for the season ahead Tennessee returns key frontcourt players such as Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips, along with J.P. Estrella who missed much of the prior season due to injury, while bringing in transfer standouts like Maryland point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Louisiana Tech guard Amaree Abram, and freshmen including five‑star wing Nate Ament — who notably had been heavily recruited by Duke before choosing Tennessee
On Duke’s side, this exhibition lands early in the season before a daunting regular‑season slate. Duke is coming off a Final Four appearance in Scheyer’s third year at the helm and boasts the No. 1 recruiting class nationally, headlined by Cameron Boozer, widely considered among the best freshmen in the country. The incoming class also includes Nik Khamenia and Dame Sar. Facing Tennessee on October 26 allows Duke to test its young roster in a high‑profile setting before the season officially begins.
Both programs benefit from the competitive tone of the matchup. Tennessee’s recent exhibition history includes games against Gonzaga, Michigan State and Indiana, but this year’s two premier opponents embody Rick Barnes’ desire to challenge his team early. The NCAA’s rule change allowing two preseason exhibitions against four‑year programs enabled this scheduling
From a fan’s perspective in Knoxville, the matchup promises drama and a preview of the 2025–26 regular season. Volunteers fans will get a preview of Duke’s star freshmen class, while Duke fans will see if Tennessee’s mix of returning veterans and heralded newcomers can collectively challenge a blue‑blood program. The game is being touted as a high‑level contest, even if exhibition results don’t count toward official records, and especially so because the last postseason meeting ended in Tennessee’s favor (
The context around Tennessee’s roster is particularly intriguing. Nate Ament, the five‑star freshman who ultimately chose the Volunteers over Duke, offers a compelling narrative subplot: he will likely match up with Duke’s top recruits, including the Boozer twins. Tennessee also added Amari Evans, DeWayne Brown, Clarence Massamba, and Troy Henderson as freshmen, while Jaylen Carey arrived via transfer from Vanderbilt and is the younger brother of former Duke standout Vernon Carey. These roster moves underscore Tennessee’s intention to reload aggressively and compete at a high level right away
Duke’s program also sees this exhibition as an opportunity to get its freshmen—and the team as a whole—battle‑tested against a top conference opponent. With expectations high after returning to the Final Four and with a loaded recruiting class, preparing for a tough Tennessee opponent is wise scheduling. Scheyer has built a reputation for scheduling early tests, and this Tennessee game aligns with that philosophy
Historically, Tennessee is 88–18 all‑time in exhibition games across different forms—preseason, in‑season, and foreign tours—posting a 65–12 record in the U.S., including 62–10 at Knoxville. The Vols have won 25 of their last 26 exhibitions and are 15–1 under Rick Barnes. This game continues their trend of high‑level preseason competition and winning exhibitions against strong opponents
Regarding timing and television, once broadcast details are finalized, fans may view the game on a major network or streaming platform; in earlier exhibitions, networks like ACC Network or SEC Network have covered similar games, but Tennessee’s athletic department has not made the TV designation public yet
For Tennessee students, the free ticket claim starts October 20. Season‑ticket holders received priority email communication and had until August 8 to confirm their seat locations; donors had presales August 13–14; and general public sales began August 15 This approach reflects careful planning on Tennessee Athletics’ part to ensure full access—and atmosphere—without including the game in season ticket packages.
All of this builds toward the larger non‑conference schedule. Tennessee will open the regular season November 3 against Mercer and will later compete in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas facing Rutgers, Houston, and another opponent. The SEC‑ACC Challenge game at Syracuse is December 2, followed by games at Bridgestone Arena and a home game versus Louisville mid‑December (On3). Duke similarly will continue with its demanding schedule beyond the exhibition, including high‑profile non‑league matchups anticipated to define its season.
Given these details, October 26’s Tennessee‑Duke exhibition game promises much more than just a warm‑up. It’s a significant contest reflecting both programs’ ambitions, scheduling philosophies, and roster developments heading into the 2025‑26 season. Tennessee fans get an early home matchup with a blue‑blood program; Duke gets a stiff test against a veteran and talented squad; and both teams benefit from the intense competition that exhibitions like this can set up for the real season.
No matter the outcome, the game offers insight into how Tennessee’s new signees and transfers will mesh with returning pieces alongside how Duke’s star freshmen class handles its first true live test. The energy in Knoxville should be electric, with free access for students and affordable options for the general public—a rare opportunity to see two elite programs tangle before the season begins. For the coaches, it’s valuable competitive reps; for fans, a memorable kickoff; for players, a statement of intent.
