A Gem State college basketball rivalry will be making its return this season after a hiatus of more than a decade.

The Boise State and Idaho men’s basketball teams will meet in an exhibition game on Oct. 17 at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise, both sides announced Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Idaho will also play two regular season games at Idaho Central Arena, as well as the Big Sky Tournament, as the Vandals will also participate in the “Holiday Hoops Classic,” a new annual multi-team event coming to Idaho Central Arena in November. The Holiday Hoops Classic will also feature Idaho State.

While the game between Boise State and Idaho will not count towards the record of either side, it will be the first time since 2014 the Broncos and Vandals have met on the court.

“When discussing potential opportunities to get our fans excited for the start of the season, this was a no brainer,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said in a statement. “The state of Idaho is filled with knowledgeable and passionate basketball fans, and what better way to serve them than with the return of in-state basketball between the Broncos and Vandals.”

The two rivals met on the court at least once every year from 1971-2014, sometimes multiple times per year as members of the Big Sky and later WAC. Boise State holds a 54-35 record all-time against Idaho.

Even after Boise State left for the Mountain West prior to the 2011-12 season, the two teams continued their series for four years in the Treasure Valley. The 2011 game was played at the Ford Idaho Center and the next three years it was played at Idaho Central Arena, then known as CenturyLink Arena. Boise State has won the last six games between the two teams, dating back to the 2009-10 season.

“Every alum I speak with mentions the Boise State rivalry,” Idaho coach Alex Pribble said in a release. “There is a terrific tradition between the two schools, and I’m grateful that we could find a way to get the rivalry game back on the schedule. Coach Rice and his staff have done a terrific job down there. It’s a top-50 basketball program in the country. It will be a great challenge for us and a great opportunity to grow, which is what exhibition games are all about.”

More ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks, but the seating will be split down the middle of the floor with Idaho fans on one side of the arena and Boise State fans on the other.

Idaho will return to the downtown Boise arena the following month for the Holiday Hoops Classic. Both Idaho and Idaho State will face Cal State Northridge and Sam Houston State Nov. 26 and 28. Idaho will face CSUN on the 26th, with Idaho State facing Sam Houston State the same day. The Vandals and Bengals will then swap opponents two days later.

More information on the Holiday Hoops Classic will be released at a later date.

Idaho and Idaho State will compete in the 2026 Big Sky Tournament, which takes place March 7-11, also at Idaho Central Arena.