RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the game themes and promotional schedule for the 2025-26 men's and women's basketball seasons on Wednesday. 
 
The fun begins with Monday Madness during the home opener Nov. 3 as the women's team takes on St. Mary's at 6:30 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Fans are encouraged to wear orange and show their Vaqueros spirit. This will be the first home event with the brand-new atrium open. 
 
There will be eight Monday Madness nights throughout the season. Monday Madness games will feature a DJ for pregame and in-game festivities, party lights throughout the night, and glowsticks, presented by Vaquero Outfitters, that will be distributed to fans. Lights will be shutoff at various times during games to allow party lights and glowsticks to illuminate the gym.
 
The party for every home game at the UTRGV Fieldhouse starts an hour before scheduled tipoff in Schlotzsky's Vaquero Village.
 
Additionally, one lucky fan during every home game will be chosen to participate in each of the following promotions:
 
•Attempt a half-court shot for the chance to win a year's supply of Church's Texas Chicken.
•Attempt between one and four shots, including a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and half-court shot, for the chance to win escalating amount of money as part of the Rio Bank Money in the Bank contest.
•Participate in the Whataburger Shuffle to win a Whataburger Gift Card.
 
Additionally, during Wingbarn's "Get Loud for Wings" promotion, the loudest individual fan will win a Wingbarn gift card.
 
All giveaways will be distributed in the Vaquero Village.
  
Current UTRGV students can claim their free single game ticket through the Student Ticketing Portal.
 
Single game, season tickets, fast break and mini plans can be purchased online at UTRGVTickets.com or over the phone by calling assistant athletic director for tickets and operations Nicholas Swanson at (956) 665-4205 or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu.
 
2025-26 UTRGV Basketball Promotional Games 
Monday, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. Women's basketball vs. St. Mary's 
Monday Madness 
- Fans are encouraged to wear orange and show their UTRGV spirit. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
- First UTRGV contest with the new atrium open. 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
 
Monday, Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Southwestern Adventist 
Monday Madness 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. Women's basketball vs. Houston 
Pack The House, presented by Vaquero Outfitters 
- The first 500 fans receive rally towels by Vaquero Outfitters.
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Austin Peay 
Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Driscoll Children's Hospital 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
- Fans are encouraged to bring in a stuffed animal or teddy bear to throw onto the court at halftime. All stuffed animals will be donated to Driscoll and distributed to kids in the hospital during the holidays.
 
Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. at Bert Ogden Arena, Women's basketball vs. #4 Texas
Presented by McAllen International Airport
- Single game tickets go on sale Nov. 10 through BertOgdenArena.com 
 
Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. UT Arlington 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Men's basketball vs. College of Biblical Studies 
Ugly Sweater Night 
- Ugly sweater contest sponsored by Vaquero Outfitters. 
 
Monday, Dec. 29, 4 p.m. Women/6:30 p.m. Men vs. New Orleans 
Monday Madness 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Jan. 3, 2 p.m. Women/4:30 p.m. Men vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 
South Texas Showdown, presented by Rally Credit Union 
- The first 400 fans receive #BeatCorpus t-shirt prior to both the men's and women's games.
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Jan. 5, 6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Incarnate Word 
Monday Madness / Military Appreciation 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m. Women's basketball vs. Southeastern 
Support Women's Sports Day, presented by HEB 
- The first 500 fans receive free Support Women's Sports t-shirts. 
 
Jan. 17, 2 p.m. Women/4:30 p.m. Men vs. McNeese 
Dads & Daughters Day/Girl Scouts Day/Strategic Enrollment Day
- Ticket deal: 2 tickets for $10. 
- Twinning With Dad contest sponsored by Vaquero Outfitters. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Monday, Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Southeastern 
Monday Madness 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. Women's basketball vs. Houston Christian University 
Greek Night 
- UTRGV Athletics welcomes UTRGV Greek organizations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
Monday, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Houston Christian University 
Monday Madness 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m. Women/4:30 p.m. Men vs. Stephen F. Austin 
Breast Cancer Awareness Day 
- The first 400 fans receive pink pom poms.
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Monday, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Lamar 
Monday Madness / Battle of the Colleges 
- Colleges compete for two trophies – one based on attendance by students, faculty, and staff of each college and one based on a free throw competition involving the deans.
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
- Faculty and staff appreciation game. 
 
Thursday, Feb. 26, 12 p.m. Women's basketball vs. Northwestern State 
School Day, presented by Whataburger 
 
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. Women/4:30 p.m. Men vs. East Texas A&M
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
 
Monday, March 2, 4 p.m. Women's basketball vs. Incarnate Word/6:30 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Northwestern State 
Monday Madness / Student Org Night 
- Glowsticks giveaway, DJ pregame and in-game, and party lights during the game. 
- Free food for the first 300 UTRGV students.
- Student organization with the most in attendance receives the Spirit Stick.

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