Rupp Arena is and always will be the epicenter of Kentucky basketball, but another tradition that once connected the Wildcats to the rest of the state may soon return: playing “home” games in Louisville.
From 1958 through the early 2000s, Kentucky regularly brought its program to the Commonwealth’s largest city. Over nearly five decades, the Wildcats played 78 games at Freedom Hall, often against marquee opponents like Notre Dame and Indiana. For fans who couldn’t always make the trip to Lexington, those contests were golden opportunities to see the Cats up close.
Some memories from those games still live vividly in the hearts of Big Blue Nation. In 2003, for example, young fans packed into Freedom Hall to watch the Cats beat Austin Peay. The final score didn’t matter nearly as much as the chance to be in the building. One unforgettable image? Watching 7-foot-6 Shagari Alleyne leap so high for a dunk that he missed it completely.
That tradition faded away with the rise of Rupp Arena as Kentucky’s exclusive home, but the door to Louisville may be opening again.
Why Louisville Wants Kentucky Back
Once the KFC Yum! Center opened, Louisville’s administration made sure the Wildcats wouldn’t be playing there as hosts. But now, city leadership is inviting Kentucky basketball back with open arms.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg recently said on Kentucky Sports Radio that he’s fully behind the idea.
“Absolutely. That’d be great for our city. That’d be great for our state,” Greenberg said. “I’m all for it.”
His reasoning isn’t just about hoops—it’s about economics. Louisville has struggled with attendance and downtown traffic, especially during the last decade of UofL basketball. Greenberg sees Kentucky as a much-needed boost.
“When you have 20,000 people coming downtown versus 8,000, that’s a big difference for all of the restaurants and bars. Our city needs that kind of energy,” he explained.
The Banner Controversy Lives On
Of course, no Kentucky–Louisville discussion is complete without mentioning the 2013 National Championship banner.
Louisville fans still argue over its removal, and the Yum! Center famously hung a “Final Coaches Poll No. 1” banner in its place. Now, Greenberg is considering making it official again.
“There are calls for me to formally restore the 2013 National Championship banner,” he admitted. “If I can help lead the charge, I’m going to.”
What It Means for Big Blue Nation
For fans in Louisville and across Western Kentucky, the return of these games would revive a tradition that connects the program with more of the state. It’s a chance for Big Blue Nation to show out in another major Kentucky city while giving younger generations the same experiences their parents and grandparents had.
Whether the idea becomes reality remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Louisville is ready to welcome Kentucky basketball back downtown.
And if it happens, the Yum! Center could once again roar with the sound of blue instead of red.
