The MAC-SBC Challenge returns for its third season in 2025–26, continuing the scheduling alliance between the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) and the Mid-American Conference (MAC) with men’s and women’s basketball. The challenge will open during the first week of the season on Monday, Nov. 3, featuring 13 head-to-head matchups in both men’s and women’s basketball.
With 14 Sun Belt programs and 13 MAC institutions competing this year, one Sun Belt team will opt out each round to maintain a balanced schedule. For the women’s basketball November slate, Georgia State will be the program not participating.
Georgia State’s men’s basketball team will travel to Ypsilanti, Mich. for a third all-time meeting with Eastern Michigan. The Panthers look to extend their undefeated 2-0 mark against the Eagles.
In this round, Sun Belt men’s basketball teams will travel to MAC schools, while MAC women’s teams will visit Sun Belt campuses. Each participating team is guaranteed one home and one away game in the challenge annually.
The second set of MAC-SBC Challenge games will be announced in January and played in early February 2026. In that round, the Sun Belt men’s programs and the MAC women’s teams will serve as hosts.
The MAC-SBC Challenge was created through the collaborative efforts of each conference’s strategic planning committee. Matchups are determined based on NET rankings, geographic considerations, and previous meetings.
All MAC-SBC Challenge games will be carried on ESPN+.
