College basketball is coming back with a vengeance, and York County is set to be ground zero for the opening tip of the 2026–27 NCAA season.
The Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon presented by Visit York County returns on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, promising die-hard hoops fans a non-stop, around-the-clock festival of mid-major college basketball. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, the event features six heavy-hitting matchups on-site as part of an eight-game slate nationally.
Doors open late Sunday night, Nov. 1, at 11:00 p.m. ET, setting the stage for a true midnight tip-off.
Midnight Tips and Local Rivals
The marathon action tips off precisely at 12:01 a.m. ET when High Point squares off against Liberty in a late-night showdown. Night owls and early risers can settle in for a steady stream of high-stakes basketball through the overnight hours, featuring programs like Grambling, Northern Illinois, Appalachian State, and Merrimack.
For local fans, the spotlight shines bright at 9:00 a.m. ET, when the hometown Winthrop Eagles take on the Queens University Royals in a high-energy Charlotte-area clash.
The action rolls straight into prime time with heavyweights UAB, McNeese State, Furman, and Bethune-Cookman closing out the night under the venue lights.
Slate of Games at Rock Hill
| Time (ET) | Matchup |
| 12:01 AM | High Point vs. Liberty |
| 3:00 AM | Grambling vs. N. Illinois |
| 6:00 AM | App. State vs. Merrimack |
| 9:00 AM | Winthrop vs. Queens |
| 5:30 PM | UAB vs. McNeese State |
| 8:00 PM | Furman vs. Bethune-Cookman |
A National Showcase in Downtown Rock Hill
Supported by Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism and Discover South Carolina, the showcase puts York County front and center on the national college basketball map.
Located in the heart of downtown Rock Hill, the venue offers modern amenities, seating for thousands, and immediate access to local dining and lodging, making it an ideal venue for an all-day event.
For fans unable to make the trip to the hardwood in person, every game of the showcase will be broadcast live digitally on The Field of 68’s YouTube channel and X account (@TheFieldOf68).
Tickets are available now through the official event platform.
