The 42^nd version of the Burger King Basketball Classic will tip off in Erie on Friday, January 9, and Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Joann Mullen Gymnasium. This year's event features a pair of returnees and one school participating in the event for the first time. MaxPreps has called the Burger King Classic the top four-team tournament in the country.
 
The field for the 2026 Classic is complete with programs that have had great success at the state and national level and features another group of players that are attracting the attention of college coaches nationally. On the opening night on Friday, January 9, at 6:00 p.m., Pennsylvania kingpin Neumann-Goretti will return to Erie. They will match up with Classic veteran Cleveland St. Edward's.
 
St. Ed's will make their record ninth trip to the Classic, fresh off an appearance in the regional semis in the Ohio state playoffs. 6'4" senior Bryan Vlosich has committed to Ashland while 6'0" classmate J.T. Kelsheimer will also play in college as a point guard. 6'3" senior forward Zymir Knox also returns, while four underclassmen have already received college attention. Their opening round test will be formidable. Philadelphia's Neumann-Goretti only went 19-11 last season and just 8-6 in their conference. But they closed their season the way they often do as the PIAA state basketball champion. 6'4" junior guard Marquis Newson already has offers from Arizona State and Virginia Tech. 6'0" senior point guard Stephon Ashley Wright will play next season at Division I Towson. Four other players on this roster are currently being recruited.
 
The 7:30 p.m. nightcap will have New York City powerhouse Thurgood Marshall Academy against the host-school Cathedral Prep. The Panthers won 24 games a season ago, going deep into the New York state playoffs. Guard Julian Harris has Division I offers from Fairleigh Dickinson University and New Jersey Institute of Technology. Junior guard Peter Lee is being recruited by Columbia, while senior forward Bryce Ozuna will also play at the next level.
 
Making a return to the Classic for the 42^nd straight season will be the host Ramblers, a three-time winner of this event. Prep won the 2021 PIAA championship and enter this season with three key contributors from last year's District 10 title team that went to the Elite Eight. Senior guards Nando Mirarchi and Michael Thompson along with junior Ahmari Horton are the leading returning scorers and will get plenty of assistance from a host of young up-and-comers.
            
All reserve tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 26. Reserve seats for the Classic cost $12.50 per night and must be purchased for both nights. General admission tickets cost $7.00 per night in advance for adults and $5.00 in advance for students. General Admission tickets will be available starting on December 1 at seven local Burger King Restaurants (all in Erie, North East and Fairview), Cathedral Prep, and the Hagerty Family Events Center. 
 
No phone orders will be accepted, and no tickets can be held.  Great crowds are expected, so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early.