LEXINGTON, Ky. — The highly anticipated men's basketball game between the University of Kentucky and the University of Michigan in London is set. The Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase will take place on December 6, 2020, at the O2 Arena. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, February 27 at 5 a.m. (EST) online through AXS.com and The O2 Arena.

The Wildcats signed a three-year deal with Michigan which in addition to the London game, the teams will play a home-and-home series for the next two years. The Cats will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan for a December 4, 2021 game and will host Michigan in Rupp Arena on December 3, 2022.

“This series with Michigan checks off a lot of boxes when we're looking at teams to schedule,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “The first thing is, to add an opponent like Michigan and to do so at a point in the schedule where we're beginning to find out who we are as a team will be important in our development.

Broadcast information for the London game hasn't been finalized yet, but the game is set for a 1 p.m. (EST) tip, it will be 6 p.m. in London.

The Battle of the Blue is being hosted by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is a fundraiser for the Hall. The UK-Michigan and Marist-UMBC games — the game before the UK game — are the first NCAA Division I college basketball games in The O2 Arena.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the game on a global scale and we couldn’t be more excited to host four Division I men’s teams in London this December,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The O2 is a beautiful, world-class venue and we expect many U.S.-based fans will make the trip to enjoy its amenities and support their teams abroad. We’re also looking forward to showcasing collegiate hoops to the local fans and growing the appreciation for basketball at all levels worldwide.”

Kentucky would love to see its fans travel to London. K Fund members can buy an exclusive travel package that includes an international charter flight, a four-night hotel stay, and game tickets. Interested K Fund members can contact Elizabeth Briggs. Current men's basketball season ticket holders will have access to an exclusive UK presale beginning Tuesday, February 25 at 10 a.m. (EST). Season ticket holders will receive an email with details about the presale.

UK leads the all-time series with Michigan 5-2. The Wolverines are under first-year head coach and Michigan legend, Juwan Howard. Howard, a member of the "Fab Five." Howard took over the program after former head coach John Beilein went to the NBA.