Whether it is local high school teams or area college sports, the Philadelphia area provides stellar performances including exciting basketball at all levels for reasonable admission (sometimes free!) making it a family-friendly way to watch a game on the court.
Take your future all-stars to watch local phenoms and – possibly – soon-to-be NBA players engage in some exciting basketball. The high school seasons have just gotten underway, so there is plenty of time and opportunity to witness the talents of the local players. Check out your local high school’s websites below for both boys’ and girls’ basketball schedules.Downingtown High School EAST Boys Varsity | Girls Varsity Downingtown High School WEST Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityHarriton High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityLower Merion High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityRadnor High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityGreat Valley High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityMarple Newtown High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityPenncrest High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityPlymouth Whitemarsh High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityUpper Dublin High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityStrath Haven High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityWissahickon High School Boys Varsity | Girls VarsityBIG 5 Still Thrives in the City of Brotherly LoveIf you want to view the competition at the next level, start with the Big 5 in the Philadelphia area: Villanova, St. Joe’s, Temple, Penn, and LaSalle. Both the men’s and women’s teams compete at high levels and often get a nod to the NCAA tournament in March. The rivalry and the camaraderie amongst these legendary teams is unique to the city of Philadelphia and has not been duplicated in any other city or state since the inception of the Big 5 in 1934. The original home for these basketball teams, all within a 17-mile radius of one another, is the storied Palestra on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. If you have never been inside the walls of this historic 75-year old arena, make this the season to create a new tradition for your family. Three-time National Champions Villanova University is often sold out for the men’s season, but you can still catch televised games. Insider tip: when the student body goes home for winter break, there may be an opportunity to snag tickets to a game, so pay close attention for the chance to get seats. The women’s team is just as intense and talented, and there are still options for purchasing tickets to watch them compete. Check out the Big 5 schedules below: La Salle University Men’s Basketball | Women’s BasketballSt. Joseph’s University Men’s Basketball | Women’s BasketballUniversity of Pennsylvania Men’s Basketball | Women’s BasketballTemple University Men’s Basketball | Women’s Basketball Villanova University Men’s Basketball | Women’s Basketball College Hoops Within the City LimitsStill within the city limits, both Thomas Jefferson University, formerly Philadelphia Textile, and Drexel University allow “traveling” for you and your family to be fans in their stands. Both the Rams and the Dragons, respectively, provide show-stopping, feet-stomping energy on the floor. Legendary coach for Thomas Jefferson University, Herb Magee announced his retirement after the 2021-22 season after arriving in 1959 as a player and scoring more than 2,000 points for the Rams during his playing career. Magee stayed on first as an assistant coach and eventually took over the reins as head coach and his legacy lives on. Drexel University Men’s Basketball | Women’s Basketball Thomas Jefferson University Men’s Basketball | Women’s Basketball College Hoops Closer to HomeIf staying in the ‘burbs is preferred there are several, high-level options for your basketball entertainment. Attend games for Division III Haverford College, part of the Centennial Conference, or Division II West Chester University, members of the PSAC. Both the men’s and women’s teams have ticket availability.Haverford College Men’s Basketball | Women’s BasketballWest Chester University Men’s Basketball | Women’s Basketball Plan ahead for what is sure to be a memorable event for the entire family. Your basketball outing will be a big WIN for everyone, and you will be the family’s MVP! Updated November 2023