WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue basketball teams will hold their annual Fan Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, beginning at 10 a.m. ET, in Mackey Arena.
The event will be the first public appearance for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams as they both start their seasons in early November.
Both squads will be featured on Fan Day. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. ET, with the women’s team starting the activities with an open practice and scrimmage starting at 10 a.m. ET. At 11:45 a.m., there will be an autograph session that will last for approximately one hour for both teams before the men’s team will hold a practice and scrimmage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
Should the Purdue vs. Northwestern football game be played during the event, the football contest will be shown on the Mackey Arena video boards. The Purdue 5k and half-marathon is also taking place that morning, so parking around Mackey Arena will be somewhat limited during the race.
Autograph cards will be provided by Purdue Athletics for use during the autograph session and will be the only item that student-athletes will autograph. Outside items will not be eligible to be signed. Player location maps for the autograph session will be available and Boilermaker Kids Club members who check in will receive one FAST PASS for an autograph line. However, the FAST PASS will not be honored at all player locations.
Due to expected, significant lines, the trio of Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn will be located in the John Nine Club.
We expect long lines and the line will be cut off if needed so the players can leave in time for practice.
There will be children’s activities available such as making friendship bracelets and coloring stations and Purdue Pete and Purdue cheerleaders will be in attendance.
In addition, a limited number of free T-shirts (extra-large) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Single-game tickets and multi-game plans will go on sale to John Purdue Club members beginning on Oct. 7, and to the general public on Oct. 10. John Purdue Club members have until Friday. Sept. 26, to upgrade their level to get earlier access to single-game tickets when they go on sale.
This will be the lone opportunity to see the women’s team before Oct. 27, with an exhibition game against Purdue Northwest. The men’s team will face UIndy in an exhibition game on Oct. 29, in Mackey Arena, in addition to a road exhibition game against Kentucky on Oct. 24.
The 2025-26 Purdue men’s and women’s basketball seasons are presented by Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults.
The men’s team is coming off another Sweet 16 appearance and a 24-12 overall record during the 2024-25 season. Purdue returns four starters and welcomes in four talented newcomers, and is ranked in the top two of nearly every early top-25 poll released.
The Purdue women’s basketball team heads into its fifth year under head coach Katie Gearlds with a revamped and experienced roster after reaching the postseason in three of her first four campaigns. The Boilermakers return a quartet of veterans, including fifth-year senior Madison Layden. Purdue dipped into the transfer portal to welcome in six experienced players, while adding a trio of freshmen.
The women’s team will open the regular season Nov. 3, when it hosts Fairleigh Dickinson, while the men’s team will open the regular-season Nov. 4, against Evansville in Mackey Arena.