ROME — As Rome positions itself for a place in the emerging NBA Europe league, a project backed by American investors behind BC and Maxima, the Italian Capital is preparing to welcome another major force in U.S. basketball: the NCAA.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Villanova and Notre Dame will open the College Basketball season at the PalaEur with the Eternal City Tip-Off, featuring the men’s teams at 3:30 p.m. local time and the women’s teams at 6:30 p.m.

The arena has reclaimed its place on Rome’s basketball calendar after more than six years devoted almost exclusively to concerts and other entertainment. It now hosts Italian league games, EuroCup action and the National Team, which is scheduled to face Turkey there on Nov. 26, with President Sergio Mattarella expected to attend.

The Eternal City Tip-Off marks a historic first not only for Rome and Italy, but for Europe as a whole. NCAA regular-season games that count toward rankings and standings — and ultimately determine qualification for the playoffs and March Madness, the single-elimination tournament culminating in the Final Four — have previously been staged outside the continental United States in places such as the Bahamas and Mexico. Never before have they been played in Europe.

A Tribute to Pope Leo XIV

“The Eternal City Tip-Off was inspired by the election of Pope Leo XIV and his belief in the unifying power of sport,” says John Anthony, Executive Vice President of On Location, one of the event’s organizers alongside the NCAA, Fox Sports and Players Era.

Nineteen months in the making, the event has involved an organizational team of more than 200 people and is expected to draw well over 10,000 spectators, many traveling from the United States.

The idea emerged as a tribute to a former Villanova student: Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, who was an Augustinian friar before his election to the papacy. The pontiff had confirmed his attendance just a couple of weeks earlier but was subsequently forced to reconsider his plans due to health reasons.

The concept took shape barely an hour after the Pope’s election: bring together Notre Dame, one of America’s best-known Catholic universities, and Villanova, the University Prevost attended, in Rome, the Capital of the Catholic world.

“More than a game, we have created an unforgettable international journey that will bring people together through shared experiences celebrating competition, culture, history and faith,” Anthony says.

“This event fits perfectly with the spirit of offering new and innovative programming and using sport as a powerful tool around the world,” adds Ian Orefice, co-founder of Players Era and CEO of Everwonder.

Both universities’ men’s and women’s teams will receive guaranteed compensation for participating in the Rome games under NCAA rules governing name, image and likeness, commonly known as NIL.

Taking College Basketball Global

The event brings together college basketball, culture, faith and history in an unprecedented combination.

After ruling out the smaller PalaTiziano arena, organizers opted for the much larger PalaEur, reserving a portion of the tickets, available through TicketOne, for Italian and other European fans. The goal is to gauge the potential for expanding NCAA basketball into Europe.

Rome will host four teams — two men’s and two women’s — featuring prominent players including Italian Luigi Suigo, making his debut with Villanova; Tyler Perkins; and Hannah Hidalgo, who averaged nearly a quadruple-double last season.

The event could serve as a test case for taking college basketball international. The talent pool in NCAA basketball has become increasingly global, and this season 33 Italian men and 26 Italian women are set to compete in the college ranks.

Rome could therefore mark the beginning of a new tradition: bringing meaningful NCAA regular-season games to Europe every year, rather than limiting the continent to exhibition contests.