The Louisville Cardinals and the Memphis Tigers have announced their rivalry will return this upcoming season. The Cardinals and Tigers will play each other for the next six years, marking the return of the intense rivalry that goes back many decades.
The heated rivalry will be officially back in the 2025-26 season as the Cardinals will host the Tigers at the KFC Yum! Center on December 13. The two programs have played each other 90 times, with the Cardinals owning the record with 54 wins. The last time these two programs played each other was in 2017, when Louisville defeated Memphis 81-72.
The Cardinals and Tigers' first showdown dates all the way back to 1948 when Louisville secured a 72-53 victory over Memphis. Both fans are thrilled to see this rivalry renewed, especially Louisville, after fans were disappointed with the date announcement with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Louisville basketball and the Memphis Tigers renew historic rivalry
Louisville basketball and Memphis have been part of three conferences together, as the two programs have played in the Missouri Valley Conference, Metro Conference, and Conference USA. The Cardinals, however, stepped away and headed to the Big East in 2005, then the AAC, and eventually the ACC in 2014, making them the Cards' and Tigers' only play each other five times since 2005.
Louisville is expected to compete for a National Championship next season, as the Cardinals have the sixth-best odds to win the National Title. Memphis is coming off a 29-6 record from last season, and both teams went on to make the NCAA Tournament, making it a perfect time for this rivalry to be renewed.
The Cardinals have announced four non-conference opponents for their upcoming season: Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and now Memphis. They also announced they will play SMU twice, one other ACC team twice, and every other ACC team once.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.