Oak View Group to Manage New Members-Only Club at KU's Allen Fieldhouse

The Naismith Club will serve as a gameday gathering place and host hospitality, business meetings, and private events.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Oak View Group and the University of Kansas announced plans for The Naismith Club, a new members-only social club at the university's Allen Fieldhouse. The club, set to debut this summer, will serve as a gameday gathering place for alumni, faculty, supporters, business leaders, and community members, and will also provide space for hospitality, business meetings, social gatherings, and private events on a membership basis. OVG will operate the club in addition to its current role as the football stadium and conference center operator for the Gateway District, as well as the food and beverage provider for all Kansas Athletics venues.

Why it matters

The Naismith Club is intended to foster deeper fan engagement, strengthen alumni connections, and keep Allen Fieldhouse active and relevant year-round. It reflects a shared commitment between OVG and the University of Kansas to premium hospitality, thoughtful design, and experiences that feel authentic to the Jayhawk tradition.

The details

The club is named for James Naismith, the inventor of basketball and the University of Kansas' first men's basketball coach. The space is located above the Booth Family Hall of Athletics and adjacent to the DeBruce Center—which houses the original rules of basketball—offering a fully immersive basketball experience for members.

  • The Naismith Club is set to debut this summer.

The players

Oak View Group

An entertainment and sports facilities company that will operate the new members-only club at the University of Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse.

University of Kansas

The public research university that is partnering with Oak View Group to open the new Naismith Club at Allen Fieldhouse.

Travis Goff

The Director of Athletics at the University of Kansas.

Ashley Kraus

The Senior Vice President of Social Clubs for Oak View Group.

James Naismith

The inventor of basketball and the University of Kansas' first men's basketball coach, after whom the new club is named.

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What they’re saying

“The Naismith Club is intended to foster deeper fan engagement, strengthen alumni connections, and keep Allen Fieldhouse active and relevant year-round.”

— Ashley Kraus, Senior Vice President of Social Clubs, Oak View Group (CelebrityAccess)

“As our partnership with OVG continues to evolve, this club allows us to create a unique connection point for our faculty, alumni, supporters, and community.”

— Travis Goff, Director of Athletics, University of Kansas (CelebrityAccess)

What’s next

Details on programming, membership, and the initial lineup of events for the Naismith Club will be announced in the coming months.

The takeaway

The new Naismith Club at the University of Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse represents a deepening partnership between the university and Oak View Group, with the goal of fostering stronger connections with the Jayhawk community and creating a premium hospitality experience that honors the rich basketball tradition of the iconic venue.