Florida State and Florida A&M, after taking the first steps towards renewing its cross-town series last season, will open the 2026-27 season against each other in Tampa.
The news was first reported by Mark Long of the Associated Press, who says the matchup will be played in Tampa as part of a doubleheader that includes Florida taking on Miami.
The two programs faced off in an exhibition matchup last season, the first on-court action between the two schools since an ill-fated 1991 game that was ended by forfeit after a brawl broke out following a layup by then-FSU player and current FAMU head coach Charlie Ward.
The Rattlers went 15-16 (11-7 SWAC) in Ward’s first season, finishing tied for second in the SWAC and falling three points short of making the conference tournament title game.
The last fully played matchup in the series occurred on December 7, 1982 — an 81-79 Florida State win.
Overall, FSU holds an undefeated 5-0 record in the series.
