FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 21, 2024) – Two of college basketball’s iconic programs – Michigan State and North Carolina – will square off next Thanksgiving Day as part of the 2025 Fort Myers Tip-Off, event organizers announced today.

The Spartans and Tar Heels anchor the 2025 Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division, which will take place Thanksgiving Week at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College. The remaining two teams, as well as final game dates and matchups, will be announced in the coming weeks.

The only way to guarantee tickets for the 2025 Fort Myers Tip-Off is through official fan travel packages. Fan travel packages for next year’s event will be available in February, but fans can immediately register to express interest in a travel package and to receive priority access to next year’s event by logging on to www.fortmyerstipoff.com/travel.

The Spartans and Tar Heels have played 17 times in history, including most recently in the NCAA Tournament this past March. The last regular season meeting between the two programs was on Nov. 26, 2017, a game won by the Spartans. Overall, North Carolina owns a 13-4 advantage in the series.

North Carolina and Michigan State represent two of the most historically successful programs in college basketball. All-time, North Carolina has won six NCAA Tournament championships (third-most in NCAA history), owns 18 ACC Tournament titles and 33 ACC regular-season crowns. Additionally, the Tar Heels boast 21 Final Four appearances (most in NCAA history) and 53 all-time NCAA Tournament berths (second-most). Michigan State has 37 NCAA Tournament appearances (10th most), including 10 Final Four appearances (sixth-most) and a pair of national championships. The Spartans also won a combined 22 Big Ten Championships, 16 regular-season titles and six tournament crowns.

The Fort Myers Tip-Off, launched in 2018, has become a staple of the early season college basketball calendar, regularly bringing in championship-caliber programs to Southwest Florida on an annual basis. Gonzaga, Kansas, Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, Marquette, Wisconsin and Virginia, among others, have recently participated in the event.

To receive the latest email alerts regarding tournament news, ticket information and more, visit our website at www.fortmyerstipoff.com and follow Intersport Basketball on Twitter (X) and Instagram at @IntersportHoops.

About the Fort Myers Tip-Off

An annual celebration of men’s and women’s college basketball, the Fort Myers Tip-Off welcomes the top programs from around the country for incredible competition to see which teams and their fans will #OwnTheFort during Thanksgiving Week. Contested at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the home of Florida SouthWestern State College, the Fort Myers Tip-Off has quickly become a staple of the Southwest Florida sports calendar. To receive the latest email alerts regarding tournament news, ticket information and more, visit our website at www.fortmyerstipoff.com or www.womensfortmyerstipoff.com and follow Intersport Basketball on Twitter (X) and Instagram at @IntersportHoops.