Temple will play two games at the Palestra to celebrate the arena’s 100th anniversary

Temple will play in two neutral-site games at the Palestra this season.

The Owls will face Richmond on Nov. 8 and St. Bonaventure on Dec. 12 at the Palestra to celebrate the storied arena’s 100th anniversary. Temple called the Cathedral of College Basketball home from 1955 to 1984.

“The Palestra holds a special place in the history of college basketball and Philadelphia, and we are honored to be part of its 100th anniversary celebration,” Temple coach Adam Fisher said in a release. “Richmond and St. Bonaventure present two challenging matchups against well-coached programs, and we look forward to competing at one of college basketball’s most historic venues.”

Temple’s matchup with Richmond will mark the 22nd between the two schools. The Owls hold an 11-10 all-time advantage. The programs last played during the 2022-23 season at another neutral site — the Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center, which ended in a 69-41 win for Richmond.

The Bonnies have faced Temple at the Palestra three times, losing each matchup. Temple has a 53-7 record all-time against its former Atlantic 10 rival. Their game on Dec. 12 will be their first since the Owls left the A-10 after the 2012-13 season.

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“We are excited for the opportunity to play at the Palestra during its 100th anniversary season,” St. Bonaventure coach Mike MacDonald said. “The Palestra is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and the opportunity to take on the Temple Owls, a longtime Bonnie rival, makes this game even more special.”

Temple’s two-game stint is the latest addition to a packed year for the Palestra. The arena is set to host a matchup between Penn State and Pitt on Nov. 8, an expanded Cathedral Classic Thanksgiving weekend, the women’s Big 5 Classic in December, and the men’s and women’s Ivy League tournaments this season.