Dunk City Season Starts Monday: FGCU Men Open at UCF, With the Home Opener Friday at Alico Arena
The Eagles tip the 2026-27 season Monday night in Orlando on ESPN+, come home Friday against New College of Florida, and host the Fort Myers Tip-Off over Thanksgiving week.
College basketball season arrives in Fort Myers on Monday. Florida Gulf Coast's men open the 2026-27 season at UCF in Orlando on Monday, November 2, with a 7 p.m. tip broadcast live on ESPN+, according to FGCU Athletics — the third meeting between the programs, with the series tied at one win apiece.
The home debut follows on Friday, November 6, when New College of Florida visits Alico Arena for a 7 p.m. home opener — FGCU beat the Mighty Banyans 96-60 last season. The women get their own Hometown Home Opener the next night, Saturday, November 7, part of a promotions slate FGCU has built around all 30 home games for the two teams this season, 15 apiece.
November does not ease the Eagles in. After the home opener comes a trip to Georgia on November 9, a home date with FIU on November 13, Abraham Baldwin at home on November 15, and a trip to Florida Atlantic on November 18 — and then Alico Arena hosts the Fort Myers Tip-Off over Thanksgiving week, with FGCU facing Charlotte on November 23 and Georgia State on November 25.
