TicketsCINCINNATI — The CareSource Invitationals will debut a first-of-its-kind outdoor college basketball experience, featuring a marquee lineup of legendary Ohio rivals at the newly renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center.
On Wednesday, October 7, the same Center Court that welcomes the biggest names in tennis for the Cincinnati Open will transform into a basketball arena hosting men’s teams from University of Dayton, Ohio State, University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. The event will raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.
Now in its fourth year, the CareSource Invitationals support mental health awareness with a focus on the foundational message “It’s OK to not be OK.” In addition to normalizing mental health conversations, the collegiate games raise funds for nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations.
The CareSource Invitational tips off with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats playing the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their rivalry dates to 1961 and 1962, when the two teams met in consecutive national championship games. Following that, the Xavier University Musketeers will face the University of Dayton Flyers in a rivalry dating back to 1920. Xavier won and currently holds the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy, named after legendary coaches of the two teams.
The four Ohio Division I teams will be the first to play at the Lindner Family Tennis Center following the $260 million campus transformation completed in August 2025. Done in partnership with the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio, the 40-acre site was expanded and enhanced to operate as a year-round sports and entertainment destination.
“The CareSource Invitational is exactly the type of unique event we envisioned when we reimagined the Lindner Family Tennis Center beyond the Cincinnati Open,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. “Center Court has long been the stage for unforgettable moments, and we're excited to create an atmosphere and energy that will be unlike anything college basketball fans have experienced before.”
Additional details about the CareSource Invitational and ticket information for the general public are forthcoming.
Media inquiries about the Lindner Family Tennis Center can be directed to media@cincytennis.com.
Media inquiries about the CareSource Invitational can be directed to olivia.biggs@caresource.com.
About the CareSource Invitationals
The CareSource Invitationals are a series of college basketball games focused on raising awareness and funds for adolescent and young adult mental health, with an emphasis on suicide prevention. Launched in 2023, these events are part of CareSource’s commitment to addressing whole-person health in communities through physical engagement and mental health support. Invitationals have engaged more than 10,000 high school students and reached over 100,000 college basketball fans nationwide.
About the Cincinnati Open
Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is an ATP Masters 1000 and a WTA 1000 tournament that is proudly supported by cornerstone partners Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Procter & Gamble, Great American Insurance Company, Fifth Third and Kroger. The Cincinnati Open most recently welcomed more than 285,000 fans from all 50 states and 65 countries and has been viewed in 187 global markets. With a focus on community, the tournament annually contributes to local charities supporting youth, families, education, health and wellness initiatives. For more information, visit cincinnatiopen.com.