The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour Centennial Celebration Set to Arrive in Lexington
LEXINGTON, KY (September 8, 2025) – Leaders in breaking barriers and making history, the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters™ today announced that Lexington, KY, will be a key stop on the team’s 100 Year Tour—the most legendary tour in Globetrotters history—playing at Rupp Arena on Sunday, December 7, 2025. This centennial season is a once-in-a-century celebration of 100 Years of jaw-dropping “No Way!” moves, 100 Years of “Wow!” moments, and 100 Years of basketball thrills. From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, fans will feel the history, the joy, and the fun that only the Globetrotters can deliver.
Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 10 A.M. on Monday, September 22, at Ticketmaster.com, RuppArena.com, or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office from 12-4 P.M. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
For the first time, the team will also debut their new 100 Year jerseys, honoring a century of global impact, as they face off against their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. Fans can also expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, and an unforgettable 5th Quarter Autograph session (FREE for ALL FANS!)—making this a celebration unlike any other.
From breaking the NBA color barrier with alums like Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton signing a pro contract as a member of the New York Knicks or courting future Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins, or Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon dazzling sellout crowds, to ushering women into professional basketball, to enchanting thousands around the world as the first team to globalize the game of basketball, to the current group of men and women who are
stars on the court and on every screen, the Globetrotters are unparalleled in their reach, impact, awareness, and in what they stand for as ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill.’
The current team of elite men and women, holders of an unprecedented 60+ Guinness World Records, including 18 set just last year, the most of any team in any sport, will bring a fresh look of gravity-defying dunks and game-changing tricks against their renowned rivals, the Washington Generals.
Unrivaled fan engagement continues with Premium Fan Experiences such as:
- ALL-NEW Magic Pass: Pre-game access & player meet-and-greets.
- Celebrity Court Pass: Join the team for warmups on the court!
- VIP Bench Tickets: Sit on the bench with the Globetrotters or Generals for the entire game and immerse yourself in 100 years of history!
- Limited Edition 100 Year Golden Replica Game Ball by Spalding®, the most exclusive collectible to be ordered in advance and have ready for you when you enter the venue.
- 100 Year Tour Souvenir Ticket, which fans can order and have delivered to their homes to expand their experience even more.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the Harlem Globetrotters centennial celebration!
WHEN: Sunday, December 7, 2025
WHERE: Rupp Arena
VENUE CONTACT: Megan Garrett | MGarrett@centralbankcenter.com
PRESS REQUESTS:
Mirian Arias | mirian.arias@harlemglobetrotters.com
Mathew Khan | mathew.khan@harlemglobetrotters.com
PRESALE: Patrons will have access to presale tickets beginning Monday, September 15, at 10:00 A.M. using code VENUE.
TICKET INFORMATION: Harlem Globetrotters fans can score the best seats at 10 A.M. on Monday, September 22, at Ticketmaster.com, RuppArena.com, HarlemGlobetrotters.com, or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office from 12-4 P.M. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
GROUP SALES: Bringing your whole crew to the game? No problem! Discover the perks of buying group tickets! Enjoy big savings off the regular box office price and explore prime seating options just for your group. It’s a win-win for you and your friends! Level-up your next group outing at https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/groups/#ContactUs.
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About the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters™ / Herschend Entertainment Studios
The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of basketball style; captured by their dynamic athleticism, unique skill, and historical influence on the modern game of basketball. Since 1926, the Globetrotters, proud members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have used their legendary global tour to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents.
They have expanded the brand by coming back to network television for the first time in 40 years with their Emmy-nominated NBC series “Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward,” which also airs on Telemundo as “Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad.” Content partners include Hidden Pictures, Atmosphere TV, and Hearts Media Production Group; consumer partnerships include Sprayground, Undercrwn, Macy’s, Hybrid; and additional partnerships include our official ball partner, Spalding, Viral Nation, Hoopculture, and Citi.
Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as Ambassadors of Goodwill, the team leverages their moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around their strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment. These efforts have yielded partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, U.S. State Department Sports Diplomacy, The National Archives, and Comic Relief Red Nose Day.
For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters™ and the Tour, visit the Globetrotters' official website: HarlemGlobetrotters.com. The Harlem Globetrotters™ is a subsidiary of Herschend, the largest family-owned themed attractions company.
About Rupp Arena
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation (LCC) is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. It was established in 1974 to manage and maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park, and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually.
Since 1976, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center has served as the home court of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, regularly leading the national attendance average. Rupp Arena has hosted legendary artists such as Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, and many more. Since 2018, Oak View Group and Live Nation Arenas have provided booking services to Rupp Arena. During the last 18 months, Rupp Arena has broken all previous audience attendance and revenue records in its storied 43-year history.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.