By: The Gazelle Group | WVU Press Release
Princeton, N.J. – The Gazelle Group is pleased to announce the 2025 edition of Holiday Hoopfest presented by the Charleston, West Virginia Convention & Visitors Bureau featuring West Virginia and Wake Forest. The Mountaineers and Demon Deacons will compete on December 6, 2025 at the Charleston Coliseum. During the 2026-2027 campaign, the two will face off in Greensboro, North Carolina at First Horizon Coliseum (date TBD).
Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin:
“We are thrilled to welcome WVU and Wake Forest to Charleston for the 2025 edition of Holiday Hoopfest! With such a strong WVU fanbase throughout our city and the region, this game is sure to energize our Capital City. It’s also a tremendous opportunity to showcase our incredible local restaurants, shops, and attractions. Events like this don’t just bring excitement—they bring visitors, boost local business, and shine a national spotlight on our community.”
President & CEO of Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau Tim Brady:
“Hosting this game not only gives us the opportunity to bring the WVU Men’s Basketball team to Charleston to play in front of the loyal fanbase that lives here, but more importantly for us it’s a tourism draw bringing WVU and Wake Forest fans to town during a very vibrant period. December is a fun-filled and exciting time for us to show off Charleston. Come for basketball, stay for so much more.”
Presale for Holiday Hoopfest will begin on Tuesday, September 2 with public on-sale to follow on Friday, September 5. Follow the event on X @holihoopfest to stay up to date on ticket details.
Tip time and television details will be announced at a later date.
The game will mark the fourth between the Mountaineers and the Deacs on a neutral floor and 11th overall meeting dating back to 1948. West Virginia leads the series 7-3, including a thrilling double overtime win in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament.
West Virginia Head Coach Ross Hodge:
“We are thrilled to be able to play a really good Wake Forest team in front of our fans in southern West Virginia. It’s been a long time since the men’s basketball team played in Charleston and when we were presented with this two-game neutral site series against Wake Forest, it certainly made sense for us. As we continue to build our nonconference schedule, this is a quality opponent from the ACC, and I know our fans will be excited and be there to support us.”
West Virginia Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker:
“With the great college basketball tradition that these two schools have, the series promises to be one of the best early season non-conference matchups for the next two years. Southern West Virginia is an important part of Mountaineer Nation, and we are excited and looking forward to bringing this great matchup to Charleston. Even though the two games will be on a neutral court, the passionate fanbases of each school will provide the intensity and atmosphere of postseason play. By facilitating this two-game series, the Gazelle Group has provided a win for the fans of Wake Forest and West Virginia.”
About the Gazelle Group
The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally recognized college sports events, such as the Empire Classic, Legends Classic, Gotham Classic, Sunshine Slam, College Basketball Invitational, Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, Deacon-Wolverine Challenge, Boardwalk Battle, Jersey Jam, and Holiday Hoopfest as well as on-campus events at Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State, Marquette and other institutions across the country. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com.
About Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Located in Charleston, West Virginia, the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center is the capital city’s premier entertainment and convention hub. This expansive 529,000 sq. ft. complex features a 13,500-seat Coliseum, a newly renovated 283,000 sq. ft. Convention Center offering 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and a 770-seat Theater. As the state’s top entertainment destination, it hosts a wide array of events including concerts, family shows, sporting events, conventions, corporate functions, exhibitions, and trade shows. For more information, visit or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
About Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau
The mission of the Charleston CVB is to positively impact the city’s economic and social prosperity by attracting visitors and events that directly support jobs and local businesses and generate economic and cultural impact.
