Most Sacramento sports fans know to check the Kings schedule when planning a November night out. Fewer know that Hornet Pavilion on the Sacramento State campus is also hosting basketball this month — with six home games before Christmas, a local rivalry against UC Davis, and a New Year’s Eve matinee to close the non-conference slate.
The Sacramento State Hornets men’s basketball team plays in the Big West Conference. They’ve got a packed early-season home schedule, and Hornet Pavilion holds just over 1,000 seats — meaning the atmosphere at a close game is genuinely loud for a small arena.
The Games Worth Knowing About
The season opens at home on Monday, November 2 against William Jessup University (7:00 pm). Jessup, a small Christian university in Rocklin, draws less buzz than the later matchups — but it’s a low-key season opener close to campus.
The marquee early-season home game is Saturday, November 14 against UC Davis (5:00 pm). The Hornets and the Aggies play each other every season as a non-conference crosstown rivalry — a Sacramento-versus-Davis matchup that doesn’t need extra stakes to draw a spirited crowd. Both schools are within 15 miles of each other, both pull from Sacramento-area students and alumni, and the gym tends to fill up for this one.
After UC Davis, the home schedule pauses for road games and then resumes in December. On Sunday, December 13, the Hornets host Pepperdine at 2:00 pm — the most recognizable national name on the early-season schedule, and an afternoon game that works well as a weekend outing.
The non-conference home slate closes on Thursday, December 31 with a New Year’s Eve matinee against Cal State Northridge at 1:00 pm. It’s a Big West Conference game and an unusual way to spend New Year’s Eve afternoon before any evening plans.
Full Early-Season Home Schedule
All games at Hornet Pavilion, Sacramento State campus. All times are Pacific.
- Monday, November 2 — vs. William Jessup University, 7:00 pm
- Saturday, November 14 — vs. UC Davis, 5:00 pm
- Wednesday, December 9 — vs. Bethesda University, 7:00 pm
- Sunday, December 13 — vs. Pepperdine, 2:00 pm
- Tuesday, December 22 — vs. Pacific, 7:00 pm
- Thursday, December 31 — vs. Cal State Northridge (Big West), 1:00 pm
The Details
- Venue: Hornet Pavilion, Sacramento State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
- Tickets: Available through the Sacramento State athletics site at hornettickets.evenue.net. Student, faculty, staff, and ADA seating options are all available through the same platform.
- Parking: Sacramento State is a permit campus on weekdays, but most lots open to the public evenings and weekends. Check the Sacramento State parking site before attending a weeknight game to verify which lots require a permit after 5:00 pm.
- Clear bag policy: In effect. Bags must be clear plastic and no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a small clutch bag no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″.
- Concessions: Available inside the arena.
- Accessibility: ADA seating available through the ticketing site.
What Makes a Game at Hornet Pavilion Worth It
Hornet Pavilion isn’t Golden 1 Center — it’s a 5,500-seat arena that fills to a fraction of that for most games. But that’s part of the appeal. For families, students, and local fans who want a live basketball experience without the Kings’ ticket prices or parking headaches, it’s an easy downtown-adjacent option.
The UC Davis game on November 14 is the one to put on the calendar first. It’s a 5:00 pm start, which means a game-and-dinner evening is easy to pull off. The December 31 matinee against CSUN is a genuinely unusual way to spend New Year’s Eve afternoon — and with Big West Conference points on the line, there’s actually something at stake.
Bottom Line
If you’ve never been to a Sac State basketball game, the UC Davis rivalry game on November 14 is the right one to try first — it’s the most charged atmosphere of the early-season home slate, with an afternoon start and no weeknight logistics to navigate. For families looking for an affordable, low-hassle outing, the December 13 game against Pepperdine (Sunday, 2:00 pm) is a natural fit.
For more Sacramento sports and entertainment this season, see the Kings October home schedule, Kings December home schedule, and what’s happening at the major holiday festivals and parades in Sacramento this winter.
