Villanova to exit Philadelphia's Big 5 basketball series
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Villanova will leave the Philadelphia Big 5 basketball series after the 2026-27 season, ending its participation in the historic rivalry.
- Starting next season, the Big 5 will continue with five teams—Penn, La Salle, Temple, Saint Joseph's, and Drexel—in a round-robin format, with Drexel having joined in 2023.
- The traditional Big 5 Classic tripleheader will conclude after the December 5, 2023 event at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
- The decision to proceed without Villanova reflects changing NCAA dynamics and institutional priorities, aiming to maintain rivalries and scheduling stability.
- The Big 5 was established in 1954, with round-robin play beginning in 1955, marking nearly seven decades of Philadelphia college basketball tradition.
