Battle 4 Atlantis (Men’s) returns to Atlantis Paradise Island from Wednesday to Friday, November 26–28, 2025, with eight Division I programs playing 12 games in three days inside the Imperial Arena, a grand ballroom turned big‑game stage. Atlantis has announced the full men’s field, on‑sale ticket packages, and resort offers, while multiple athletics departments and media outlets confirm the bracket, opening matchups, and ESPN family coverage for all games. The 2025 lineup features Colorado State, Saint Mary’s, South Florida, Vanderbilt, VCU, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky, and Wichita State, continuing the tournament’s tradition of elite early‑season basketball over Thanksgiving week in The Bahamas.
Dates, venue, and TV
- Dates: November 26–28, 2025, spanning Wednesday to Friday of Thanksgiving week, consistent with the event’s holiday placement.
- Venue: Imperial Arena at Atlantis Paradise Island, the resort’s iconic ballroom‑to‑arena conversion with intimate sightlines and a lively Bahamas crowd.
- Broadcast: All men’s games air on ESPN platforms across the three days, with school releases and bracket announcements noting ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU assignments.
2025 field and bracket notes
- Teams: Colorado State, Saint Mary’s, South Florida, Vanderbilt, VCU, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky, and Wichita State were unveiled by Atlantis in April and reiterated with bracket release in August.
- Opening matchups: School announcements confirm a bracket that includes Saint Mary’s opening with Wichita State and Vanderbilt opening with Western Kentucky on Nov 26; additional pairings place Colorado State vs Virginia Tech and VCU vs South Florida.
- Tip times: Vanderbilt–WKU is set for 11 a.m. CT (noon ET) to tip off the event, with the championship scheduled for noon CT on Nov 28; all games on ESPN family networks.
Tickets and packages
- Ticket types: Fan Package tickets start at $149 including VAT and grant access to a chosen team’s three games; Full Tournament Packages start at $509 including VAT and allow access to all 12 games.
- Room + ticket bundles: Atlantis offers a 20% savings off Best Available Rates plus a complimentary Saturday night (Nov 29) with a minimum two‑night stay for bookings tied to the tournament window Nov 23–Dec 1, 2025.
- How to buy: The 2025 tournament hub provides booking links for hotel‑ticket packages and standalone tickets, with inventory across The Royal, The Coral, The Cove, and The Reef.
What makes Imperial Arena special
- Unique atmosphere: The ballroom conversion creates a close‑quarters feel that amplifies sound and puts fans near the action, widely cited as one of college basketball’s most distinctive MTE environments.
- Thanksgiving tradition: The dates deliver a holiday hoops vacation, with beach mornings and bracket nights—a signature that has defined Battle 4 Atlantis since its early years.
Team storylines to watch
- Saint Mary’s: A perennial mid‑major power opens with Wichita State in a tempo‑contrast matchup, confirmed in the Gaels’ bracket release.
- Vanderbilt vs Western Kentucky: The event’s first tip on Nov 26 renews an old series; Commodores’ athletics detailed the 11 a.m. CT start on ESPN.
- Virginia Tech: Hokies return to the Bahamas and face Colorado State in the opening round, aiming to play into the title game on Friday.
- VCU and USF: A defense‑driven Rams identity against a rising Bulls program highlights the depth of the 2025 field.
Planning a Battle 4 Atlantis trip
- Getting there: Fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS); Atlantis is over the bridge on Paradise Island, around 30–40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.
- Where to stay: Book at Atlantis (The Royal, The Coral, The Cove, or The Reef) to walk to Imperial Arena and bundle room plus tickets; the 20% savings and free Saturday night offer apply with qualifying stays.
- What to pack: Resort‑casual for daytimes, light layer for the arena, and beachwear for mornings; bring comfortable shoes for walking the resort campus between sessions.
Fan experience between games
- Dining and entertainment: Atlantis packs a full slate of restaurants, lounges, and the casino, making it easy to plan meals around tip times without leaving the property.
- Family activities: Aquaventure waterpark, marine habitats, and white‑sand beaches provide options for non‑basketball traveling companions.
- Flex days: The complimentary Saturday night (Nov 29) lets fans extend the holiday in paradise after Friday’s title game.
How tickets work
- Team Fan Package: Follow one school across three games—ideal for family and alumni groups; seating is allocated for team sections, creating a home‑away‑from‑home vibe inside Imperial Arena.
- Full Tournament Package: See all 12 games across three days and sample the entire field; perfect for neutral fans who want the full MTE immersion.
History and prestige
- A launchpad for contenders: Battle 4 Atlantis routinely seeds March storylines, with champions and finalists using the November tests to harden rotations and late‑game execution.
- ESPN platform: National television exposure during a prime holiday week elevates teams’ early NET and narrative profile.
Sample three‑day itinerary
- Wed Nov 26: Morning beach walk; opening session at Imperial Arena starting with Vanderbilt–WKU; evening semifinal session with Saint Mary’s–Wichita State and Colorado State–Virginia Tech.
- Thu Nov 27: Bracket continues with winners and consolation games; plan a Thanksgiving lunch on property between sessions.
- Fri Nov 28: Championship at noon CT; trophy ceremony; celebrate with a sunset dinner and plan a beach day on the complimentary Saturday.
Verified essentials at a glance
- Dates: November 26–28, 2025.
- Venue: Imperial Arena, Atlantis Paradise Island.
- Field: Colorado State, Saint Mary’s, South Florida, Vanderbilt, VCU, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky, Wichita State.
- Bracket highlights: Saint Mary’s vs Wichita State; Vanderbilt vs Western Kentucky (11 a.m. CT opener); Colorado State vs Virginia Tech; VCU vs South Florida; ESPN family coverage throughout.
- Tickets: Fan Package from $149 (team’s three games); Full Tournament Package from $509 (all 12 games); room + ticket bundles with 20% off BAR and a free Saturday night (Nov 29) for qualifying stays.
Book a room steps from the court, pick a Fan Package or go all‑in for all 12 games, and line up beach time around a bracket that promises buzzer‑beaters and signature wins. Battle 4 Atlantis 2025 is holiday hoops at its most joyful—sun on the sand by day, ESPN lights by night, and a title on the line in one unforgettable long weekend in The Bahamas.
