Duke, Michigan Reportedly Finalizing Neutral-Site Game on 2025-26 CBB Schedule

The Duke and Michigan men's basketball teams are reportedly "finalizing" a plan to play a neutral-site game at Washington, D.C.'s Capital One Arena in February 2026, Jon Rothstein reported for College Hoops Today.

CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported that Duke and Michigan have been planning the neutral-site game "for months," and that the game is expected to take place on either Saturday, Feb. 21 or Sunday, Feb. 22, depending on the venue's schedule.

Capital One Arena is the home venue of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and Georgetown men's basketball. The arena is set to host men's basketball NCAA tournament games in the spring of 2026.

The programs have yet to settle on a broadcasting partner for the game, according to Norlander.

This will mark the second straight season during which the Blue Devils have played a non-conference opponent at a neutral site in the spring. Duke defeated Illinois at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 22. That game was announced as a sellout with 19,812 people in attendance.

Prior to the game in New York City, Norlander reported that Duke head coach Jon Scheyer "has been consistent about trying to schedule notable nonconference matchups for Duke in a way that can further bolster Duke's preparation for the NCAA tournament."

"Duke has been hunting for a notable program to play a big-time game after the football season when more eyeballs would be looking to watch college hoops," Norlander wrote.

Following last season's coordination with Illinois coach Brad Underwood, it seems Scheyer has found another partner in Michigan head coach Dusty May.

The Blue Devils hold a 10-1 all-time record over Michigan in 11 matchups between 1998 and 2013. The Wolverines' lone win came in December 2008.

Duke and Michigan have played three neutral-site games in the past, although not in the last 14 years. Most notably, the programs clashed in Charlotte during the third round of the 2011 men's basketball NCAA tournament, when Duke narrowly eliminated Michigan with a 73-71 win before going on to lose in the semifinal.

If Duke and Michigan are both ranked at the time of the game, another well-attended matchup next February could help late non-conference games become more popular across the sport.