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The Women’s Champions Classic is coming back to Brooklyn in 2025.

After more than 11,000 fans packed into Barclays Center in December for the inaugural marquee college basketball event, it was announced Wednesday the two-game showcase will return for a second season.

Connecticut, Iowa, Tennessee and Louisville will once again headline the prime-time doubleheader, scheduled for Dec. 20. The games will be aired on Fox.


  Paige Bueckers drives on Tajianna Roberts during the first half of UConn’s 85-52 blowout win over Louisville in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center on Dec. 7, 2024. Getty Images Paige Bueckers drives on Tajianna Roberts during the first half of UConn’s 85-52 blowout win over Louisville in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center on Dec. 7, 2024. Getty Images

The Lady Vols are scheduled to play the Cardinals, while the Hawkeyes and Huskies will face off.

Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said last year’s event was “everything I hoped it would be” during the planning process.

“We’re thrilled to return to Barclays Center next season,” Auriemma said. “I can’t wait to see how the event evolves as we continue it for the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, Iowa coach Jan Jensen described the Women’s Champions Classic as a “premier event” that provided players with “an early NCAA Tournament feel.”

The Women’s Champions Classic mirrors an annual men’s college basketball showcase that’s been around since 2011 and features Michigan State, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky.

Who will win the women’s tournament this year?

At last year’s event in Brooklyn, Tennessee’s press defense proved to be too much for Iowa, and Connecticut handled Louisville with ease.

No. 3 UConn (30-3, 18-0 Big East) claimed its 12th straight conference tournament title earlier this week, with projected No. 1 WNBA draft pick Paige Bueckers being named the tournament’s most outstanding player for a record third time.


  Talaysia Cooper drives on Lucy Olsen during the second half of Tennessee’s 78-68 win over Iowa in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center on Dec. 7, 2024. Getty Images Talaysia Cooper drives on Lucy Olsen during the second half of Tennessee’s 78-68 win over Iowa in the Women’s Champions Classic at Barclays Center on Dec. 7, 2024. Getty Images

Meanwhile, Tennessee (22-9, 8-8 SEC) is currently ranked No. 22 nationally, while Iowa (22-10, 10-8 Big Ten) and Louisville (21-10, 13-5 ACC) were left out of this week’s AP Top 25.

All four teams, though, are projected to be at least a No. 7 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which begins next week.

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