NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2nd ANNUAL PANINI HOOPHALL INVITATIONAL

– 56 Boys and 20 Girls Teams from Across the East Coast to Compete –

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the field of teams and schedule for the second annual Panini Hoophall Invitational. The event will be played on January 17 and 18, 2026, at Western New England University and six Springfield school sites: Springfield Central High School, Putnam High School, High School of Science and Technology, High School of Commerce, Pope Francis Preparatory School, and Springfield International Charter School. 

The 56-team boys’ tournament and 20-team girls’ tournament will feature programs from eight states across the Northeast (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Each school is guaranteed two games.

“We are proud to host the second year of the Panini Hoophall Invitational in Springfield, further amplifying the excitement surrounding Hoophall Weekend,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “This year’s expansion, adding eight boys teams and four girls teams, underscores our continued commitment to providing student-athletes from the East Coast with the opportunity to compete in the ‘Birthplace of Basketball’ as well as visit the Basketball Hall of Fame. The event’s growth not only elevates the level of competition but also contributes to the economic vitality of the City of Springfield. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Western Mass Sports Commission for their ongoing partnership in bringing this event to life.”

A full schedule can be found below. All games in the 2026 Panini Hoophall Invitational will be on the NFHS Network, and media application information will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the 2026 Panini Hoophall Invitational are on sale now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/35217/hoophall-invitational. For more information, visit https://www.hoophall.com/events/hoophall-invitational. 

About Panini America

Panini America is a subsidiary of The Panini Group, established over 60 years ago in Modena, Italy with subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States. Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for NFL, NFLPA, NASCAR, FIFA, LIV Golf, the Professional Fighters League, College, Disney, and other key properties from many other licensors. Panini is also the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Elite 11 and Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Panini has distribution channels in more than 150 countries and employs a staff of over 1,200. For more information visit us at www.paniniamerica.net, www.paninigroup.com or http://blog.paniniamerica.net/. You can also follow Panini America on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors – both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame Museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame Museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 150 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallclassic.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

HIGH SCHOOL OF COMMERCE SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

PUTNAM HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

HIGH SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

SPRINGFIELD INTERNATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18