End of an era: Villanova to exit Philly's Big 5 college hoops series

Villanova will leave Philadelphia's famed Big 5 college basketball series at the end of the 2026-27 season, the Associated Press reported, closing the book on the storied six-school incarnation of the tradition.

The series will continue with five teams from next season in a round-robin format. Founding members Penn, La Salle, Temple and Saint Joseph's will remain, alongside Drexel, which was added ahead of the 2023 season to make it a six-team series. The Big 5 Classic tripleheader, the showcase event staged at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the NBA's 76ers, will also end after this season's Dec. 5 games.

The five remaining schools said in a joint statement that 'the resumption of a consistent round-robin format, featuring both home and away contests, will sustain traditional rivalries while providing valuable scheduling stability in an increasingly complex Division I environment.'

The announcement marks a major turning point for one of college basketball's most cherished local traditions. The Big 5 name was coined by longtime Philadelphia Inquirer sportswriter Herb Good, and the round-robin competition between the city's programs became a defining feature of Philadelphia basketball across generations.

Villanova's departure reflects the pressures reshaping college athletics. The remaining schools acknowledged that the evolving NCAA landscape has prompted institutions to rethink how their athletics programs fit their broader goals. The Wildcats will still face their city rivals this season before the new five-team format takes over.