Empire Classic Tickets

Empire Classic Tickets

November college hoops has a different kind of edge—fresh rotations, new faces, and high-major programs measuring themselves early under the bright lights of a nationally televised showcase. Whether you’ve followed it for years or you’re planning your first one, Empire Classic tickets put you inside the early-season energy as teams battle for a statement win.

This page covers everything you need — from understanding how Empire Classic works to finding the right tickets and knowing what to expect when you arrive.

About Empire Classic

The Empire Classic is an annual early-season NCAA Division I men’s basketball multi-team event (MTE) held in November at the start of the college basketball season. It’s televised by ESPN and is known for bringing recognizable programs into major-market settings—historically tied to Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the event rotating to other host venues as well, including Chase Center in San Francisco for the 2025 edition.

The format is matchup-based and compact: a small field of Division I teams plays a limited number of games during the event window, with the schedule typically building toward a featured finale/championship game rather than a full single-elimination bracket. What’s at stake includes the Empire Classic title, valuable early-season nonconference wins that influence NCAA Tournament seeding and NET/resume metrics, and national exposure on ESPN platforms. Recent editions have also supported charitable causes, including the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Empire Classic regularly attracts high-profile teams for early-season tests. Maryland won the 2024 Saatva Empire Classic, and the 2025 Mizzen+Main Empire Classic included UCLA (ranked No. 19 entering the 2025 finale), California, Presbyterian, and other Division I programs—with the 2025 finale featuring California vs. No. 19 UCLA at Chase Center on November 25. With premium arenas, a showcase atmosphere, and meaningful early results on the line, if you’re planning to attend Empire Classic, browsing tickets early is the smartest move.

Other College Basketball Multi-Team Events

Box Office Ticket Sales carries tickets for other college basketball multi-team events and showcase games throughout the season. If you’re planning travel, following a specific program, or just want more marquee matchups beyond the Empire Classic, browsing related events is a simple way to compare dates, venues, and seating options.

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How Much Do Empire Classic Tickets Cost?

Empire Classic tickets typically range from around $30 to $60 for upper-level seats to $150–$400+ or more for lower-bowl and premium seats, with premium packages running higher. Courtside and hospitality packages run significantly higher.

Several factors can influence what you’ll pay, including the matchup quality (and whether a featured team is ranked), which session/day you choose, proximity to the event date, host-market demand, and how close your seats are to the court—especially premium lower-bowl and courtside locations.

No hidden fees. At Box Office Ticket Sales, the price you see is the price you pay. All fees are shown before checkout — no surprise charges when you reach the final step.

How to Buy Empire Classic Tickets

Getting your Empire Classic tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com is fast and simple. Here's how the process works:

1. Browse Empire Classic — Search for Empire Classic tickets and select the date or matchup you want
2. Pick your seats — Use the interactive seating map or listing view to compare sections, rows, views, and real-time pricing side by side
3. Secure checkout — Pay with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Affirm for flexible payment options
4. Receive your tickets — Digital tickets are delivered to your email or mobile wallet before game day, ready to pull up at the gate/entrance

Every order is backed by our 100% verified ticket guarantee and on-time delivery promise. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your invoice and everything you need before tip-off.

Empire Classic Seating and Arena Information

Because the Empire Classic uses a rotating host venue, the in-arena experience can vary by year—recent editions have included Chase Center (a modern downtown arena and home of the Golden State Warriors) and the event has historic ties to Madison Square Garden, one of the most storied arenas in sports. In general, major arenas deliver a range of seating options around the court, from budget-friendly upper levels to premium lower-bowl and courtside views.

Best Ways to Experience Empire Classic

The right access depends on what kind of game day experience you're after:

• Best value: Upper-level/upper-bowl seating — typically the most affordable way to be in the building for a nationally televised showcase
• Closest to the action: Courtside seats — the most up-close perspective for the pace and physicality on the court
• Best overall view: Lower-bowl center-court sections along the sidelines near courtside — premium sightlines of the court for following sets, substitutions, and momentum swings
• For groups and premium experiences: Club seating and luxury suites — elevated comfort and space for hosting clients, friends, or family

Empire Classic Seating Chart

You can view an interactive seating map or listing view directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while you browse available listings. The map lets you compare sections and access types side by side, check proximity to the court, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before you commit to a purchase.

Can I See Where My Seats Are?

Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy where the event has assigned seating. Use it to get a clear picture of your access, whether you're positioned "courtside or in the elevated lower bowl" — so the ticket you choose matches what you're actually looking for.

Getting Ready for Empire Classic Game Day

Once your tickets are confirmed, a little preparation goes a long way — especially for a high-demand college basketball showcase in a major-market arena.

• Download your tickets before you leave. Cellular service near large events can get congested on game days. Save them to your phone's wallet or screenshot them as a backup.
• Charge your phone fully. Digital ticketing is the standard, and your phone is your entry. A portable battery pack is worth having.
• Arrive early. Gates/doors typically open 1–2 hours before tip-off. Give yourself extra time for entry and security, especially on high-demand dates.
• Public Transit: Host arenas are typically transit-accessible (for example, Chase Center via Muni Metro near San Francisco’s Mission Bay, and Madison Square Garden atop Penn Station with subway and commuter rail access).
• Rideshare: Designated rideshare pickup/drop-off zones are provided at major host arenas.
• Bag Policy: Major arenas enforce a clear-bag policy with size limits; small clutch bags are often permitted, while larger bags and backpacks are generally prohibited.
• Bring a card or mobile payment — many vendors are cashless.
• Parking: On-site and nearby parking garages are typically available; downtown lots can fill quickly, so arriving early helps.
• What to bring: Your mobile ticket on a charged phone, a valid ID, and team gear.
• Entry: Re-entry is generally not permitted.

Is Box Office Ticket Sales Legit?

Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy Empire Classic tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs your purchase:

• 100% verified ticket listings — every listing is authenticated before it reaches you
• On-time delivery guarantee — your tickets arrive before the event, or we make it right
• All seats together unless explicitly noted otherwise in the listing
• SSL-encrypted checkout — your payment information is protected at every step
• 24/7 TrustGuard monitoring — active security oversight around the clock
• Access to 125,000+ live events nationwide, from major sporting events to concerts and more
• BoxOfficeTicketSales.com has been selling tickets for 21 years and is BBB accredited

Empire Classic tickets — particularly for marquee dates and high-demand sessions — move fast. The best-value listings tend to go first, so if you have a date in mind, don't wait too long. Browse Empire Classic tickets now and lock in your seats before inventory tightens.

Need Help With Your Empire Classic Tickets?

Our support team is available before, during, and after your purchase. Reach us through any of these channels:

• Live chat: Log in to your account at BoxOfficeTicketSales.com to chat with an agent
• Email: customersupport@boxofficeticketsales.com
• Phone: Call the number on your order confirmation invoice
• Buy by phone: Call 1-800-515-2171 to purchase tickets directly with a representative