The One Piece franchise is continuing its foray into sports events by announcing a series of special halftime shows and giveaways at 15 U.S. college basketball games across five schools from January 23, 2026 to March 4, 2026.
The five halftime show games will feature university marching bands and cheer squads performing the first One Piece anime opening theme song “We Are!”
The full schedule (subject to change) for the 15 basketball games is listed as follows:
- • Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Indiana — January 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM EST (includes half time show)
- • Gonzaga Bulldogs vs San Francisco — January 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST
- • Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan State— January 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM EST
- • Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Saint Mary’s — January 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM PST (includes half time show)
- • St. John’s Red Storm vs UConn — February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST (includes half time show that will be held during timeouts)
- • Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Nebraska — February 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST
- • St. John’s Red Storm vs Xavier — February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM EST
- • Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Washington State — February 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM PST
- • Houston Cougars vs Kansas State — February 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM CST (includes half time show)
- • Illinois Fighting Illini vs Indiana — February 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM CST
- • Houston Cougars vs Arizona — February 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM PST
- • Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan — February 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM CST (includes half time show)
- • St. John’s Red Storm vs Villanova — February 28, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST
- • Illinois Fighting Illini vs Oregon — March 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM CST
- • Houston Cougars vs Baylor — March 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM CST
Student section ticket holders will receive an exclusive T-shirt featuring their university’s design at select halftime show games. T-shirts will also be tossed out to some lucky fans during the halftime shows.
In addition, all attendees will receive an exclusive collaboration poster and a special One Piece card game game promo card.
Sources: One Piece Official Japanese Twitter, Official Event Website