Buckeyes to Play Cincinnati in Exhibition Game at the CareSource Invitational
7/9/2026 11:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The event is designed to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention among young people
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State will open the exhibition portion of its 2026-27 season in a unique event designed to support a great cause. The Buckeyes will play Cincinnati in an exhibition game as part of the CareSource Invitational – Supporting Mental Health on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The event will be played outdoor on the same Center Court that welcomes the biggest names in tennis for the Cincinnati Open at the newly renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center. The event will raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.
The doubleheader event will feature Ohio State and Cincinnati in game one followed by Xavier taking on Dayton.
Now in its fourth year, the CareSource Invitationals support mental health awareness with a focus on the foundational message “It’s OK to not be OK.” In addition to normalizing mental health conversations, the collegiate games raise funds for nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations.
The CareSource Invitational tips off with Cincinnati playing Ohio State. Their rivalry dates to 1961 and 1962, when the two teams met in consecutive national championship games. Following that, Xavier will face Dayton in a rivalry dating back to 1920. Xavier won and currently holds the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy, named after legendary coaches of the two teams.
The four Ohio Division I teams will be the first to play at the Lindner Family Tennis Center following the $260 million campus transformation completed in August 2025. Done in partnership with the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio, the 40-acre site was expanded and enhanced to operate as a year-round sports and entertainment destination.
“The CareSource Invitational is exactly the type of unique event we envisioned when we reimagined the Lindner Family Tennis Center beyond the Cincinnati Open,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. “Center Court has long been the stage for unforgettable moments, and we're excited to create an atmosphere and energy that will be unlike anything college basketball fans have experienced before.”
Additional details about the CareSource Invitational and ticket information for the general public are forthcoming.
Media inquiries about the Lindner Family Tennis Center can be directed to media@cincytennis.com.
Media inquiries about the CareSource Invitational can be directed to olivia.biggs@caresource.com.
About the CareSource Invitationals
The CareSource Invitationals are a series of college basketball games focused on raising awareness and funds for adolescent and young adult mental health, with an emphasis on suicide prevention. Launched in 2023, these events are part of CareSource’s commitment to addressing whole-person health in communities through physical engagement and mental health support. Invitationals have engaged more than 10,000 high school students and reached over 100,000 college basketball fans nationwide.
About the Cincinnati Open
Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is an ATP Masters 1000 and a WTA 1000 tournament that is proudly supported by cornerstone partners Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Procter & Gamble, Great American Insurance Company, Fifth Third and Kroger. The Cincinnati Open most recently welcomed more than 285,000 fans from all 50 states and 65 countries and has been viewed in 187 global markets. With a focus on community, the tournament annually contributes to local charities supporting youth, families, education, health and wellness initiatives. For more information, visit cincinnatiopen.com.
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