Washington, D.C. (June 24, 2025) – The Gazelle Group and Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) are pleased to announce “Duel in The District” – a matchup between reigning ACC Men’s Basketball Champion Duke and reigning Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Champion Michigan on February 21, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Tickets, television details, and game time will be announced at a later date.
For early access to tickets before the public sale, sign up for email updates here.
The game will mark the seventh meeting between the Blue Devils and Wolverines on a neutral floor and 31st overall meeting dating back to 1963. Duke leads the series 22-8, including a 79-69 win in their last meeting at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in 2013.
“Duel in The District” marks the return of both teams to the host venue, following Duke’s appearance in the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena, and Michigan’s conference title win during the 2017 Big 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament (then-named Verizon Center).
In addition to this marquee matchup, Capital One Arena is set to host several high-profile NCAA events in the coming years including the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball East Regional in 2026, the 2027 Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, and the 2028 Division I Women’s Basketball Regional.
Today’s announcement comes as construction is underway on the brand-new Capital One Arena. MSE is taking a 360-degree approach to planning a high-tech, high-touch building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years and set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation. Additional information about MSE’s brand-new arena is available HERE.
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About the Gazelle Group
The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally recognized college sports events, such as the Empire Classic, Legends Classic, Gotham Classic, Sunshine Slam, College Basketball Invitational, Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, Wolverine- Deacon Challenge, Boardwalk Battle, Jersey Jam, and Holiday Hoopfest as well as on-campus events at Kentucky, Ohio State, Marquette and other institutions across the country. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com.
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading integrated sports and entertainment company and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.
