Couldn’t get tickets? Didn’t want to pay those wild secondary-market prices? We don’t blame you — and we’ve got you covered.
Big Blue Madness officially tips off tonight at 6 p.m. ET, live from Lexington, Kentucky, marking the true start of basketball season for Big Blue Nation. The event will feature live team and coach introductions, special effects, performances, and a few surprises.
Commemorative items and giveaways will also be handed out to fans lucky enough to be inside Rupp Arena. But a few mysteries remain, one of them being what exactly will happen on the court?
In past years, Big Blue Madness has included scrimmages, three-point contests, and skills showcases. This year, though, there’s been no official mention of those activities. So, fans might want to tune in early to see what Coach Mark Pope and his team have planned.
How to watch Big Blue Madness live
Unfortunately, this year’s Big Blue Madness will not air on traditional television. In years past, fans could find it on WKYT or the SEC Network, but that’s changed for 2025.
Instead, ESPN has moved the event exclusively to its streaming platform. That means you’ll need to download the ESPN app; available on phones, smart TVs, tablets, and computers, and sign in using an account with SEC Network access.
If you already have a cable or streaming provider like DirecTV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or Sling, you can log in using your existing credentials.
If not, you can still tune in through ESPN+, which offers several subscription options:
- $11.99/month or $119.99/year for ESPN+ alone
- $16.99/month for the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle (ad-supported)
- $29.99/month for ESPN’s Unlimited plan
You can find all the details and sign up directly through ESPN here.
Follow along with us
If streaming isn’t your thing, or you just want to follow along with the best of BBN, we’ll have full live updates and coverage on our Facebook page throughout the event, from player introductions to crowd reactions and everything in between.
Whether you’re watching from your couch or checking updates on your phone, Big Blue Madness remains one of the most electric events in college basketball. It’s a chance for fans to see the energy, the new faces, and the early chemistry under second-year head coach Mark Pope, who’s aiming to usher in a new era of Kentucky basketball excitement.
A night to celebrate blue
With Kentucky football on a bye week, there’s nothing to distract or dampen the mood. Tonight is about the pure joy of basketball, the pageantry of Rupp, and the anticipation of what’s next.
Big Blue Madness has always been part pep rally, part showcase, and part statement — a reminder that basketball season in Lexington is something different. Something bigger.
So however you’re watching, get ready to enjoy the night. Because in Kentucky, basketball season doesn’t begin, it erupts.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion