Edison, NJ - The America East Conference and Metro Conference today announced the participating schools and the full schedule of games for the inaugural America East – Metro Basketball Challenge, set for the start of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
The America East – Metro Basketball Challenge will feature nine men's and nine women's teams from each conference with games taking place Thursday, November 5 through Sunday, November 8, 2026, with the exception of Iona at UMBC which will occur on Monday, November 16. Teams will play two games – one at home and one on the road – against opponents from the opposing conference. Game times will be determined by the host institution.
Niagara Women's Basketball will head to UMass Lowell Thursday, November 5, before taking on New Hampshire in the Gallagher Center Sunday, November 8.
In July of 2025 both Conference announced the creation of a basketball challenge, a new early season showcase that is part of a two-year agreement for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. This will be the first ever basketball challenge between two Northeast-based Division I leagues. Sharing a regional footprint, a mutual broadcast partner in ESPN, a common sponsorship rights holder in Van Wagner, and the same men's basketball officiating coordinator, the Challenge represents a natural and strategic collaboration.
About the America East:
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
About the Metro Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, The Metro Conference is in its 45th year of competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary's University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University,Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena University.
