HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay Athletics has announced the 2026–27 schedules for its men's and women's basketball programs, highlighted by competitive nonconference matchups, a full conference slate and 13 home doubleheaders at Pioneer Gymnasium.
The Pioneer men begin their season in Lakeland, Florida, facing Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Central Missouri on Sunday, Nov. 8. Cal State East Bay will then travel to Rocklin for games against Dominican and Jessup before meeting Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin's in Turlock.
The men's home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 25, against Lincoln University. The Pioneers will begin conference play at home against Cal State San Marcos on Thursday, Dec. 3, followed by a Saturday, Dec. 5 matchup with Cal State Monterey Bay.
"We are excited about the challenges and opportunities this schedule presents," men's basketball head coach Bryan Rooney said. "Our nonconference schedule will test us with each game and help prepare our team for the demands of conference play. We look forward to competing in front of our outstanding fans and continuing to make Pioneer Gymnasium a special home-court environment."
The 2026–27 campaign follows a historic season for Rooney and the Pioneers, who finished 33-1, won the CCAA Tournament and NCAA West Regional championships, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
Cal State East Bay women's basketball opens its season in Nampa, Idaho, against Northwest Nazarene on Friday, Nov. 13, followed by a matchup with Central Washington on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Pioneers will continue their early-season road swing in Bellingham, Washington, where they will face Concordia University Irvine on Nov. 21 and Western Washington on Nov. 22.
The women make their Pioneer Gymnasium debut against Dominican on Saturday, Nov. 28. Conference action begins with home matchups against Cal State San Marcos on Dec. 3 and Cal State Monterey Bay on Dec. 5.
"This schedule gives our team an opportunity to compete against strong programs from the opening weekend," women's basketball head coach Jenny Thigpin said. "Those early road experiences will challenge us, bring us together and prepare us for conference play. We are especially excited to return home and compete in front of the Pioneer community."
Additional home highlights include a New Year's Eve doubleheader against UC Merced, followed by a Jan. 2 matchup with Stanislaus State. The Pioneers will welcome Chico State to Hayward on Jan. 14 before hosting Menlo College on Jan. 28.
Cal State East Bay will host Cal State Dominguez Hills for Pioneer Red Out on Saturday, Jan. 30, with the women tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and the men following at 7:30 p.m.
The home schedule continues in February with doubleheaders against Cal Poly Pomona, Fresno Pacific and Cal Poly Humboldt. Both programs will close the regular season at Pioneer Gymnasium against SF State on Saturday, Feb. 27.
Fans are encouraged to secure tickets and join the Pioneers throughout the 2026–27 season. All home games will be played at Pioneer Gymnasium, and most games will be streamed live on FloCollege.
For tickets, visit the Cal State East Bay Athletics ticket portal. Complete schedules, game times and broadcast information are available at EastBayPioneers.com.
All dates and times are subject to change. All times are listed in Pacific Time unless otherwise noted.
