Henrico to host inaugural '4 Tha Culture' Holiday Hoops Classic Dec. 19-21

The Henrico Sports and Events Center will debut a new marquee basketball event this winter with the inaugural 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic, a Division I women’s basketball showcase that organizers say will combine top-tier athletic competition with community pride and cultural celebration.

The three-day tournament will run Dec. 19–21, 2025, at the Glen Allen venue and will feature two local teams – the University of Richmond and VCU – along with four others: Alabama A&M, Coppin State University, Penn State University and the University of Georgia.

“This event is more than basketball — it’s about pride, culture, and giving women’s athletics the platform it deserves,” said grassroots basketball leader, entrepreneur and event co-creator John Tate said. (Veteran Division I basketball coach Sasha Palmer is the other co-creator.)

Henrico officials praised the addition of the event, which aims to elevate women’s athletics while providing a platform to celebrate culture and community, to the region’s sports calendar.

Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Dennis Bickmeier called it “another new event to our region that elevates us as a great destination for sports,” noting that it also “shines a spotlight on women’s basketball and the power of community.”

In addition to the games, fans can expect community-driven programming and curated cultural experiences designed to uplift Black voices in sports, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Details about those programs will be announced in the coming months, according to the organizers.

Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 at 4thaculturehoops.com.