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The UCLA men’s basketball team will face Gonzaga at Honda Center in Anaheim as part of the West Coast Hoops Showdown on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 5.
Scheduling this game was important for UCLA basketball, to play this game in Southern California at a Bruin-owned and Bruin-run building.
UCLA will be playing at Honda Center for the first time since 2016, when taking on Gonzaga this December. The matchup will tip off in primetime and air nationally on FOX. The final game time will be announced at a later date.
This will mark the 12th all-time matchup between UCLA and Gonzaga. Since a home-and-home series between the two schools in 2014 and 2015, UCLA and Gonzaga have faced off six times over the past six seasons – two NCAA Tournament matchups in 2021 and 2023, one neutral-site game in Las Vegas in Nov. 2021, a neutral-site showdown in Hawaii in Nov. 2023, a showdown at Intuit Dome in Dec. 2024, and last year’s contest in Seattle.
“We are looking forward to playing Gonzaga in front of our fans in Orange County,” said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men’s Head Basketball Coach. “This is a great opportunity for our young men to play a high-caliber opponent in an area with a ton of Bruin fans. I know it’s been a while since our team has played in Anaheim, and we are grateful to everyone at the Honda Center for helping make this matchup happen. It’s vital for our college game to preserve some of these strong West Coast matchups. UCLA taking on Gonzaga is a win-win for our sport. I’m encouraging all our Bruin fans to pack the Honda Center when we take the court on Saturday, Dec. 5.”
UCLA and Gonzaga have split a pair of neutral-site games the last two seasons. The Bruins secured a 65-62 win over Gonzaga at Intuit Dome in nearby Inglewood on Dec. 28, 2024. Last season, Gonzaga registered an 82-72 victory over UCLA in Seattle, at Climate Pledge Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
The Bruins are returning five primary contributors from last season’s team, which posted a 24-12 overall record and a 13-7 mark in Big Ten games. Xavier Booker (sophomore), Eric Dailey Jr. (senior), Eric Freeny (junior), Trent Perry (junior), Brandon Williams (senior) saw action throughout last season. UCLA’s program has also added four incoming freshmen and four transfer student-athletes. The Bruins advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s second round, recording a win over No. 10-seed UCF and a loss to No. 2-seed UConn.
Ticket Information
Wooden Athletic Fund members, season ticket members and Den Pass holders will have the opportunity to request tickets to this game through UCLA. Tickets will be allotted based upon Wooden Athletic Fund recognition level, lifetime giving to UCLA Athletics and consecutive years as a season ticket member. Fans can also find ticket information regarding the West Coast Hoops Showdown by visiting the event’s official website (link here).
Fans can register for the event’s ticket presale by visiting the official website. For additional information on official travel packages for the upcoming showdown, fans can visit the event’s travel website.
About Honda Center
Located in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center has been a premier entertainment and sports venue since 1993. Home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, the arena hosts sold-out concerts, family shows and major sporting events.
UCLA has compiled a 17-5 all-time record at Honda Center, with the first-ever Bruins’ game taking place in the arena on Dec. 3, 1994. UCLA defeated No. 7 Kentucky, 82-81, as part of the John Wooden Classic. The Bruins have played a pair of NCAA Tournament contests at Honda Center (two wins, in 2008). UCLA won four designated home games at Honda Center during the 2011-12 season, as Pauley Pavilion was closed for an 18-month renovation – victories over Pennsylvania, UC Davis, Arizona and Arizona State. Most recently, the Bruins defeated Texas A&M, 74-67, in the championship game of the 2016 Wooden Legacy (played on Nov. 27, 2016).
