Villanova University's men's basketball team is set to make history with its season opener in Rome, Italy, according to a report by Brett Peeples Jr. published on October 30, 2026. The game would mark the first time the Wildcats have opened a season outside the United States.
Details about the opponent, venue, and exact date were not disclosed in the initial report. The program has previously participated in international tournaments, but a season-opening game in Europe would be unprecedented for the Philadelphia-area school.
A photo accompanying the story showed Italy's Luigi Suigo warming up before the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup semi-final between Turkey and Italy at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul on July 6, 2024. That image appears to be illustrative rather than directly related to Villanova's planned trip.
