Opening Night Set for Sept. 19 in the Railyard

The tipoff of the 2025-26 season is just a month away, as Opening Night presented by SCHEELS will take place on Friday, Sept. 19.

For the second straight year, this interactive, fan-friendly event will take place on Canopy Street between R and Q Streets, as the street next to the Railyard near Pinnacle Bank Arena will be closed for the event. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes both the Husker men’s and women’s programs and is free to the public.

Opening Night will feature introductions of both Husker teams, remarks from Head Coaches Fred Hoiberg and Amy Williams and players, along with contests with players and fans and much more. In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled

Both Husker teams have reached postseason play in each of the last two seasons and high hopes for the upcoming season.

The Husker men return seven letterwinners from a team that went 21-14 and won the College Basketball Crown. The roster is highlighted by returning 2024-25 starters Berke Büyüktuncel and Sam Hoiberg, along with senior guard Connor Essegian, who averaged 10.7 ppg off the bench last season. NU also regains the services of two other significant contributors to its 2024 NCAA Tournament team in All-Big Ten forward Rienk Mast, who averaged 12.3 points and led NU in both rebounding (7.5 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg), and senior guard Jamarques Lawrence, who played in all 34 games, including 23 starts at NU in 2023-24. NU also reloads with five other transfers and a pair of freshmen who were both among the nation’s top 125 recruits.

The Husker women are coming off a 21-12 season that included their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament for Coach Amy Williams. The Big Red will be led on the court by returning All-Big Ten honoree Britt Prince, who earned a spot on the conference’s all-freshman team after averaging 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and team bests of 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals. Natalie Potts, the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, will also be back along with fellow 2024 Big Ten All-Freshman selection Logan Nissley. The Huskers also have five newcomers, including a quartet of Division I transfers.

For more information about tickets, visit Huskers.com/Tickets or call the Nebraska Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 8-BIGRED or 402-472-3111

2025-26 Opening Night Presented by SCHEELS
Date:                      Friday, Sept. 19
Time:                      6:30 p.m.
Location:              Canopy Street (between R and Q Streets)
Cost:                      Free
Note: In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled