TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M men’s basketball is heading to St. Petersburg this November for the 2026 Showdown in St. Pete, giving the Rattlers another opportunity to compete on a national stage.
The four-day event is scheduled for Nov. 11–14 at the McArthur Center on the campus of Eckerd College and features five NCAA Division I programs: Florida A&M, George Mason, Bradley, Kansas City and Coppin State.
FAMU’s Showdown Opener
The Rattlers will open the event on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, against Kansas City.
| Date | Time | Matchup | Location |
| Nov. 11, 2026 | 12 p.m. ET | Florida A&M vs. Kansas City | McArthur Center, Eckerd College |
The matchup is one of the event’s nationally streamed games, with all four Showdown games scheduled to be available free across multiple digital platforms. Broadcast partners and direct game links will be announced closer to the event.
📋 2026 Showdown in St. Pete Field
- Florida A&M
- Kansas City (UMKC)
- George Mason
- Bradley
- Coppin State
The event expanded to five Division I programs for 2026 after its inaugural edition attracted more than 122,000 viewers and generated 16,746 hours watched across its 2025 broadcasts.
📍 FAMU Takes Over St. Pete
Rattler Nation will also have an opportunity to meet head coach Charlie Ward and the 2026-27 FAMU men’s basketball team during “FAMU Takes Over St. Pete” on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at Tiki Docks St. Pete.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the FAMU men’s basketball program.
WHAT WE KNOW
Event: 2026 Showdown in St. Pete
Dates: Nov. 11–14, 2026
Venue: McArthur Center at Eckerd College
FAMU opponent: Kansas City
FAMU tipoff: 12 p.m. ET, Nov. 11
Head coach: Charlie Ward
Streaming: Free digital broadcasts; platforms and direct links to be announced
The Showdown also includes community programming, a college and career fair, fan events and Veterans Day activities throughout the week.
