BERKELEY – The California men’s basketball team will face UCLA on Nov. 25 at Chase Center in San Francisco in the showcase game of the 2025 Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, Gazelle Group announced Wednesday.
“We’re thrilled to renew the Cal-UCLA rivalry on such a big stage as part of the Empire Classic,” Cal head coach Mark Madsen said. “Anytime you have these two schools and programs meet, it brings great energy – and to do it in Chase Center, right here in the Bay Area, makes it even more special. It’s an incredible opportunity for our teams and fans, and we’re excited to represent Cal in one of the NBA’s premier venues.”
The Golden Bears and Bruins last clashed in 2023-24 – their final season as Pac-12 Conference foes before transitioning to the ACC and Big Ten, respectively – when they split a two-game season series; Cal beat UCLA 66-57 on Jan. 6, 2024, for its first road win at Pauley Pavilion since 2010 before UCLA won 61-60 in Berkeley a month later. The programs have met more than 250 times (UCLA leads 147-104) in a historic series that dates back to 1921.
Cal will also host Presbyterian on Nov. 18 and Sacramento State (Nov. 21) at Haas Pavilion as part of the multi-team event. The Bears are 3-0 all-time against Sacramento State, including an 83-77 win at home last November, and will meet Presbyterian on the hardwood for the first time.
Tickets for the Cal-UCLA game will go on sale in mid-August. For more details and access to presale tickets, fans can sign up for email updates and follow the Empire Classic on social media (@EmpireClassicBB).
Game times and television designations for all three games will be announced later.
2025 EMPIRE CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Sunday, Nov. 16
Presbyterian at Sacramento State (The Nest, Sacramento)
Tuesday, Nov. 18
Presbyterian at California (Haas Pavilion, Berkeley)
Sacramento State at UCLA (Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles)
Friday, Nov. 21
Presbyterian at UCLA (Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles)
Sacramento State at California (Haas Pavilion, Berkeley)
Tuesday, Nov. 25
California vs. UCLA (Chase Center, San Francisco)
SUPPORT THE BEARS
Fans can support the Golden Bears through the Cal Men's Basketball Excellence Initiative or the California Legends Collective. To make a season ticket deposit for the 2025-26 campaign, visit CalBears.com/Tickets.
