Intersport announced today that Skechers, the second-largest footwear brand in the United States, will return as title sponsor of the 2026 Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off – marking the brand’s third consecutive year with the event and its second year as title sponsor. The Skechers Fort Myers Tip Off is an elite early season college basketball event held annually during Thanksgiving Week in Southwest Florida.

The Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off takes place at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., featuring elite NCAA men’s basketball teams in what has become appointment programming for sports fans.  Now in its ninth year, the event is set for Nov. 23-26 and will feature 10 games over four days, headlined by a Thanksgiving Day showcase between Purdue and Oklahoma. Teams will compete in one of two divisions – the Beach Division or the Palms Division. In addition to Purdue and Oklahoma, DePaul and Pitt will take part in Beach Division contests set for Nov. 24 and 26. Charlotte, Davidson, Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia State, Northern Iowa and Tulane make up the six teams participating in the Palms Division on Nov. 23 and 25.

During the 2025 Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off, record-television viewership highlighted one of the most memorable events in its history. In a Thanksgiving Day tilt broadcast nationally on FOX, Michigan State defeated North Carolina in a game that drew 6.49 million viewers, making it the most watched college basketball game in the network’s history.

The Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off has established itself as one of college basketball’s premier early season events, having featured some of college basketball’s top programs in recent years, including 2026 national champion Michigan, 2025 national champion Florida, 2022 national champion Kansas, Michigan State, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Virginia, Ohio State and Auburn in recent years.

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. Fans can go behind-the-scenes with exclusive access to Skechers Basketball product launches, athlete content, and more by following @skechersbasketball on Instagram and TikTok. 

About the Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off and Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off

An annual celebration of men’s and women’s college basketball, the Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off and Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off welcome 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 events have quickly become a staple of the Southwest Florida sports calendar. To receive the latest email alerts regarding event 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.

About Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

Skechers, Where Comfort is a Technology™ based in Southern California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company’s collections are available in 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through skechers.com and more than 5,300 Skechers retail stores. A Fortune 500^® company, Skechers manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.