Previewing year three of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series for 2026-27
9/25/2026 8:44:00 AM | Baseball, Cross Country, Men's Basketball, Softball, Women's Basketball, General, Upstate Athletic Fund
UNC Asheville and USC Upstate have split the championship the past two years
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 2025-26 edition of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series begins this Saturday, September 20, as USC Upstate men's soccer hosts UNC Asheville at 7:00 p.m. in Spartanburg.
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Separated by just 65 miles, the Spartans and Bulldogs are set to continue one of the Big South's most unique rivalries, battling for bragging rights, points, and the Ingles Rivalry trophy.
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Over the first two years of the Rivalry Series, the schools have split the championship. USC Upstate won the first year's bragging rights in 2024-25 by a final score of 40-20 while the Bulldogs battled back in 2025-26 to take a 42-24 triumph during the years.Â
How the Series Works:
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How the Series Works:
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The Ingles I-26 Rivalry is structured as a year-long competition across multiple sports. Points are awarded as follows:
- Three (3) points per head-to-head regular-season victory in men's basketball, women's basketball, women's soccer, men's soccer, volleyball, and baseball. Postseason meetings in Big South Conference tournament play also count.
- Three (3) points to the higher-finishing school at Big South Championships in cross country, indoor/outdoor track & field, and women's golf.
- *Bonuses*Â for community initiatives, including Ingles' long-standing food drive competition (3 points) and statistical categories such as three-pointers made in basketball (1 point each) and strikeouts in baseball (1 point). Ingles also contributes charitable donations tied to each bonus stat, further connecting the rivalry to service in Spartanburg and Asheville
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| Date | Sport | Location | Final Score | Series Score |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Volleyball | Spartanburg, SC | ||
| Oct. 17, 2026 | Women's Soccer | Spartanburg, SC | ||
| Oct 24, 2026 | Men's Soccer | Asheville, NC | ||
| Oct 30, 2026 | Men's Cross Country | Spartanburg, SC (Big South Championships) | ||
| Oct. 30, 2026 | Women's Cross Country | Spartanburg, SCÂ (Big South Championships) | ||
| Nov 13, 2026 | Volleyball | Asheville, NC | ||
| Dec. 30, 2026 | Women's Basketball | Spartanburg, SC | ||
| Jan. 1, 2027 | Men's Basketball | Spartanburg, SC | ||
| Feb. 20, 2027 | Men's Basketball | Asheville, NC | ||
| Feb 24, 2027 | Women's Basketball | Asheville, NC | ||
| Dates TBA | Canned Food Drive | |||
| Feb. 26-27, 2027 | Men's Indoor Track Championship | Mill Spring, NC | ||
| Feb. 26-27, 2027 | Women's Indoor Track Championship | Mill Spring, NC | ||
| Men's basketball 3-point shots made (bonus) |
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| Women's basketball 3-point shots made (bonus) |
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| Dates TBA | Baseball | Asheville, NC | ||
| Dates TBA | Baseball | Asheville, NC | ||
| Dates TBA | Baseball | Asheville, NC | ||
| April 18-20, 2027 | Women's Golf Championship | Fripp Island, SC | ||
| May 10-12, 2027 | Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship | Rock Hill, SC | ||
| May 10-12, 2027 | Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship | Rock Hill, SC | ||
| Baseball Strikeouts (bonus) |
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