LEXINGTON, KY (September 16, 2024) –– Harlem Globetrotters are heading back on the road! Get ready for high-flying fun as the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters make their victorious return to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky on January 19, 2025. This is your chance to witness the world record-breaking, trick-shot stars of basketball LIVE as they bring their signature SPINS, DUNKS, and SLAMS to the court.

This year they’re bringing FUN and innovative CHALLENGES to showcase their superstars’ impressive skills and seemingly impossible feats of athleticism. Watch in awe as players go head-to-head in an exhilarating battle of skills featuring epic dunks, jaw-dropping four-point shots, and more—it's friendly competition at its most exciting!

The Harlem Globetrotters™ are THE originators of basketball style; captured by their dynamic athleticism, unique skill, and historical influence on the modern game of basketball. Since 1926, the Globetrotters, proud members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, have used their legendary global tour to showcase their iconic brand of basketball to tens of millions in over 124 countries and territories across six continents.

They have expanded the brand by coming back to network television for the first time in 40 years with their Emmy-nominated NBC series “Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward”, which also airs on Telemundo as “Harlem Globetrotters: Ganando Con La Comunidad.” Content partners include Hidden Pictures, Atmosphere TV, and Hearts Media Production Group; consumer partnerships include, Sprayground, Undercrwn, Macy's, and Hybrid; and additional partnerships include our official tour partner Jersey Mikes, official ball partner, Spalding, Viral Nation, Hoop Culture, and Citi.

Coined by the U.S. State Department in 1951 as “Ambassadors of Goodwill”, the team leverages its moniker to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts around its strategic pillars of Health & Wellness, Education, and Community Empowerment.  These efforts have yielded partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, the U.S. State Department of Sports Diplomacy, The National Archives, ‘Great Assist’ in partnership with Jersey Mike’s Subs, Campus Multimedia Court of Creativity, and Comic Relief Red Nose Day.

For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters™ and the Tour, visit the Globetrotters' official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com. The Harlem Globetrotters™ is a subsidiary of Herschend, the largest family-owned themed attractions company.

Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 10 A.M. on Monday, September 30. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com, rupparena.com, or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office from 12-4 P.M. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Venue Contact:

Megan Garrett | MGarrett@centralbankcenter.com

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About Rupp Arena

Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation (LCC) is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. It was established in 1974 to manage and maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park, and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually.

Since 1976, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center has served as the home court of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, regularly leading the national attendance average. Rupp Arena has hosted legendary artists such as Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, and many more. Since 2018, Oak View Group and Live Nation Arenas have provided booking services to Rupp Arena. During the last 18 months, Rupp Arena has broken all previous audience attendance and revenue records in its storied 43-year history.

About Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.