Men's Basketball to take on Sacred Heart, Manhattan in Inaugural America East – Metro Challenge
7/1/2026 9:54:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ORONO, Maine -- The America East Conference and Metro Conference 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 men's basketball seasons.
The America East – Metro Basketball Challenge will feature nine men's teams from each conference with games taking place Thursday, November 5 through Monday, November 16, 2026. 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.
Full Men's Schedule:
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.
-UMaine-
The America East – Metro Basketball Challenge will feature nine men's teams from each conference with games taking place Thursday, November 5 through Monday, November 16, 2026. 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.
Full Men's Schedule:
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| Vermont at Fairfield |
| NJIT at Iona |
| UAlbany at Manhattan |
| UMBC at Marist |
| UMass Lowell at Merrimack |
| Bryant at Quinnipiac |
| New Hampshire at Rider |
| Maine at Sacred Heart |
| Binghamton at Saint Peter's |
| Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Rider at Binghamton |
| Fairfield at Bryant |
| Manhattan at Maine |
| Sacred Heart at New Hampshire |
| Saint Peter's at NJIT |
| Merrimack at UAlbany |
| Marist at UMass Lowell |
| Quinnipiac at Vermont |
| Monday, November 16, 2026 |
| Iona at UMBC |
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.
-UMaine-
Monday, July 13
Saturday, February 28
Thursday, February 26
Saturday, February 21
