Arkansas basketball bringing Tip-Off Scrimmage back to Hot Springs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas basketball is once again taking its preseason showcase to Hot Springs, bringing Razorback fans in Central Arkansas a rare up-close look at John Calipari’s program.

The Razorbacks will hold their Tip-Off Scrimmage on Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. inside Bank OZK Arena, marking the second straight year the team has chosen Hot Springs as its preseason destination.

A Return to Central Arkansas

The scrimmage will feature introductions of players and coaches, a Red-White intrasquad matchup, and multiple opportunities for fans to interact with the roster.

It’s a continuation of what Arkansas and Calipari believe is an important effort to reach beyond Fayetteville to connect with fans statewide.

“Last year was a tremendous success for all involved,” Calipari said in a release. “We are excited to return and grateful to those in Hot Springs for making this possible. This is a great chance for people in that region to interact with this year’s team.”

Impact for Veterans and Newcomers

The Razorbacks’ roster includes a mix of returnees and new additions, and Calipari noted that both groups benefit from the setting.

“The returning players had a great experience last year, and we have a lot of new players on this team who will do the same this time,” Calipari said. “The trip will also be important to those new guys, so they too get to know a different part of Arkansas and to know the passion for the Razorbacks throughout the state, not just Northwest Arkansas.”

For Arkansas, preseason scrimmages like this help players adjust to game-day atmospheres while also allowing coaches to evaluate rotations and chemistry. Programs across the country such as Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke have embraced similar public preseason events to energize their fan bases.

Ticket Options and Fan Experiences

The university has structured multiple ticket levels for the Hot Springs event:

• General Admission: $20 per seat, first-come, first-served.

• Meet-and-Greet Level: $100 per seat, capped at 300 fans. Includes a group photo with the team, a Calipari-signed photo, and early facility access.

• Premium Bench Seats: Eight seats priced at $1,000 each. Fans will sit on the Razorback bench with players and coaches, take photos, secure autographs, and meet Calipari before the event.

Due to NCAA rules, students in grades 7–12 are ineligible for the premium bench experience.

Doors will open at 1 p.m. for premium and meet-and-greet ticket holders, and at 1:45 p.m. for general admission.

Growing Razorback Momentum

Arkansas enters the 2025–26 season with heightened expectations under Calipari, who begins his second year leading the program.

The Razorbacks have recruited aggressively, including commitments from top national prospects, while also leaning on returning contributors expected to anchor the lineup.

The Hot Springs event represents a symbolic start to a season in which Arkansas hopes to reestablish itself as a contender in the SEC and on the national stage.

Similar preseason events around the country serve as unofficial measuring sticks for roster depth and team chemistry.

For Arkansas fans in Central Arkansas, the scrimmage is also a reminder of the program’s reach beyond Fayetteville, something Calipari has emphasized since arriving in Fayetteville.

Key Takeaways

• The Tip-Off Scrimmage returns to Bank OZK Arena on Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. with a Red-White matchup.

• Ticket tiers range from $20 general admission to $1,000 premium bench seats with exclusive experiences.

• John Calipari says the event helps connect players with statewide fans and prepares newcomers for the Razorback culture.