Iowa Hawkeyes chosen as part of inaugural four-team Women’s Champions Classic

Iowa will take part in another early-season showcase event next year when it takes part in the Women’s Champions Classic in New York City.

Iowa women’s basketball will take part in another showcase event to begin the 2024-25 hoops season.

After being featured this season in the inaugural Ally Tipoff in Charlotte, N.C., versus then-No. 5 Virginia Tech, the Hawkeyes are getting the prime time treatment again early next season in another inaugural event.

Iowa was announced as one of four programs chosen for the inaugural Women’s Champions Classic. It’s set for Dec. 7, 2024, from inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The prime time doubleheader will feature Iowa, Connecticut, Louisville and Tennessee.

Iowa’s opponent and tipoff time is yet to be announced. Between the four programs, they have combined for 19 NCAA Division I national championships, they have appeared in 46 Final Fours and they have won 120 conference titles.

This Women’s Champions Classic is being jointly put on by Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) and Fox Sports.

“Interest in women’s sports continues to experience exponential growth and basketball is leading the way with viewership and attendance records continually being set,” said David Levy, Co-CEO of HS&E. “This moment feels like the right time to launch the Women’s Champions Classic, set in the mecca of basketball, and we are proud to have these four storied programs participate in our inaugural event.

“The Women’s Champions Classic will serve as a platform to showcase the remarkable talent and unwavering dedication of these teams and student-athletes in primetime on Fox, captivating audiences far and wide. Together with our partners at Fox, we look forward to igniting excitement and celebration around women’s basketball while honoring the exceptional student-athletes who make it shine.”

Jordan Bazant, Fox Sports’ executive vice president, shared why this inaugural event is so exciting for Fox.

“The Women’s Champions Classic is the next step in Fox Sports’ longstanding commitment to elevating women’s athletics, and we are eager to showcase these student-athletes at the highest level – in primetime on the Fox broadcast network,” Bazant said. “Alongside our partners at HS&E, the exceptional participating schools and their conferences, we could not be more excited to bring the Women’s Champions Classic to college hoops fans around the nation.”

Tickets for the 2024 Women’s Champions Classic will go on sale in March. For more information, fans can visit womenschampionsclassic.com.

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