Updated October 22, 2026, 4:38 p.m. ET
In just over a week, Villanova men’s basketball will open its 2026-27 season in Rome and in the shadow of Pope Leo against Notre Dame.
The Wildcats will do so in their final season as a member of the Big 5, the association that includes the six Division I college basketball programs in Philadelphia.
It was announced Thursday that Villanova will leave the Big 5 beginning with the 2027-28 season, marking the latest blow to one of college athletics’ great traditions due to the rapidly changing landscape of college sports.
Drexel, La Salle, Penn, Saint Joseph’s and Temple will remain in the Big 5. The Dragons were added to the Big 5 in 2023, making it a six-team field and round-robin format that ended with a three-time Big 5 Classic title that crowned a champion.
“These institutions are united in their commitment to preserving the history and enhancing the future of Philadelphia’s Big 5. The round-robin format represents a revival of the competitive spirit that has defined the city’s college basketball landscape for more than 70 years, while also preserving the future of a uniquely Philadelphia partnership,” the five remaining schools said in a joint statement.
“With five Division I programs located within a 10-mile radius, the schools remain in a unique position in college basketball. Resumption of a consistent round-robin format, including home and away competitions, will maintain traditional rivalries while providing valuable scheduling stability in an increasingly complex Division I environment.”
It’s a notable departure from Villanova, which is located outside the Philadelphia radius but has been part of the region’s college basketball history for decades, including Rollie Massimino’s team beating Georgetown in the 1985 national title game and then Jay Wright making it a national power again, highlighted by two championships in three years from 2016-18.
Jeff Neiburg of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Villanova was not interested in keeping the current Big 5 Classic format as the “status quo.” Neiburg, citing sources, noted that the Wildcats were looking for a format that would “ensure the Wildcats would not have to play another Big 5 road game,” but that format was not agreed to by all six schools.
“Villanova University has great respect for the history and tradition of the Big 5,” Villanova said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. “Over the past year, we have engaged in extensive discussions with our Big 5 partners about strategies in the coming years. Together, we explored several models and were close to an agreement at one point, but were unable to achieve unanimity on a new schedule format starting in 2027. Villanova remains committed to supporting Philadelphia basketball. Ultimately, we must also balance what is in the best interest of Villanova basketball to succeed in the modern landscape of college athletics.”
The current Big 5 format is one home game and one away game for each team before the tripleheader at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, in December. The Wildcats won their 30th Big 5 championship – and first in the new format – last season with a 90-63 victory over Penn. It was also the first title under Kevin Willard, who brought the program back into the national spotlight after a few rocky seasons under Kyle Neptune, Wright’s successor.
Founded in 1954 and invented by Philadelphia Inquirer sports editor Herb Good, the Big 5 is entering its 72nd season of competition. The 2026 Big 5 Classic will take place on Saturday, December 5 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Villanova, which was picked to finish third in the Big East, is coming off a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament to Utah State. The Wildcats received 14 votes in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches’ Preseason Poll and have two top-25 teams — No. 20 Michigan and No. 18 Kansas — on their non-conference schedule.
College Basketball Reacts to Villanova Basketball’s Big 5 Exit
Given the announcement of Villanova’s exit from the Big 5, reactions have not been favorable to the Wildcats’ decision. Here is an excerpt:
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