Wisconsin Badgers to Battle Villanova Wildcats in Milwaukee
Neutral-site clash set for Fiserv Forum in December 2025
Basketball fans in Milwaukee are in for a treat as the Wisconsin Badgers and the Villanova Wildcats are set to face off at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2025, in what promises to be a thrilling neutral-site contest.
Key Matchup
This showdown will be a critical non-conference test for both programs as they gear up for their respective conference schedules for the 2025-26 season. The game marks a significant return for Wisconsin to a traditional basketball venue in Milwaukee.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown are scheduled to go on sale September 24. Fans interested in attending can register online at www.fiservforum.com/showdown to receive event information and be eligible for a ticket presale on September 23. Intersport, a sports marketing and events agency based in Chicago, will oversee all aspects of the event.
Historical Context
This will be only the third meeting between the two programs. **Villanova** won the first contest in 1995. **Wisconsin** secured a notable victory in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, defeating top-seeded **Villanova**. Last year’s NCAA tournament saw an average attendance of 10,684 per game, demonstrating the sport’s broad appeal (NCAA.com).
Badgers’ Return to Milwaukee
It will be **Wisconsin’s** first regular season neutral site game at a traditional basketball venue in Milwaukee since December 1, 1989, when they played **Gonzaga** at the Bradley Center. The **Badgers** have played numerous regular season games in Milwaukee when visiting both **Marquette** and **UW-Milwaukee**, in addition to NCAA Tournament contests on three separate occasions in the city. They also played a neutral site contest at American Family Field against **Stanford** in 2022 as part of the Brew City Battle.
Coaching Leadership
**Wisconsin** is led by **Greg Gard**, who is entering his 11th season as head coach. Last season, **Gard** and the **Badgers** achieved their highest win total since 2016-17 with 27 victories and earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. **Villanova** welcomes new head coach **Kevin Willard**, who brings a wealth of experience from **Iona**, **Seton Hall**, and **Maryland**. **Willard** boasts 335 career wins and takes over a **Villanova** team that won 21 games and reached the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown last season.
Wildcats’ Milwaukee Doubleheader
This game will be the first of two visits for the **Wildcats** to Fiserv Forum in the 2025-26 season. **Villanova** is also scheduled to play **Marquette** there as part of BIG EAST regular season action, with the date to be announced in September when the conference releases its complete schedule.
Stay Updated
For the latest updates on the event, follow Intersport Basketball on Twitter (X) and Instagram at @IntersportHoops.
About Intersport
Intersport is an award-winning agency specializing in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting, and platform development. The agency owns and operates events across various sports, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball, and volleyball. Headquartered in Chicago since 1985, Intersport also has an office in Detroit. More information is available at www.intersport.global and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook).
