LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine Knights will call Freedom Hall home. 

Bellarmine University's men's and women's basketball teams announced they will play their home games at the iconic arena under a multiyear partnership with Kentucky Venues.

The university began looking for alternate venues for its home basketball games as the pandemic limited seating capacity for the 2020-21 season.

"Freedom Hall was a natural choice as it's steeped in rich basketball tradition and is minutes from our campus," said Bellarmine Athletic Director Scott Wiegandt.

“We then saw the obvious benefits of making Freedom Hall a more long-term home for our basketball programs,” Wiegandt said. “It has long been considered one of the best places in the world to watch a basketball game and the venue gives us ample room to grow into our new D-I status.”  

Under Gov. Andy Beshear's recommendation of capping attendance at 15 percent capacity, the 18,252-seat Freedom Hall will welcome 2,700 fans this season. Knights Hall, the teams's former home, only holds 2,196 seats, meaning attendance would have been restricted to just over 300 fans this season.

Both teams will make their debuts at Freedom Hall Thanksgiving weekend when the men's team will host Transylvania University on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m., and when the women's team will host Western Illinois 24 hours later. 

Bellarmine plans to install a basketball floor that mirrors the one in Knights Hall in addition to branding throughout Freedom Hall. Knights Hall will remain in use for practice and select games.

Concession stands will be open and serving food and alcoholic and other beverages.

Bellarmine Athletics said it will offer various ticketing opportunities, like season ticket packages and single game options in addition to suites. More information on the season ticket packages will be sent to season ticket holders via mail and e-mail. There are also plans for designated student seats and tickets, and fans who are interested in tickets but don't already have them may note their interest online.

“We’re extremely proud to welcome Bellarmine University to Freedom Hall,” said David Beck, Kentucky Venues President and CEO. “It’s a perfect combination as both Freedom Hall and Bellarmine share storied basketball legacies. I think Bellarmine fans are going to love cheering on their Knights here.” 

Bellarmine's President Dr. Susan Donovan said the agreement supports the university's agreement, made in its strategic plan, to strengthen the its connections to the region by partnerships and collaboration.  

“We’re pleased to partner with an institution like Kentucky Venues that the public funds and benefits from,” she said.   

Freedom Hall originally housed the University of Louisville Cardinals for over five decades, hosting the Final Four six times. The arena also house the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association and was the site of Mihammad Ali's first professional boxing match in 1960.