The Cactus Bowl – college football’s only postseason game between the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences – enters an exciting next chapter of its history in Arizona, with a refreshed approach that includes a new name, new logo, new venue, new television network and enhanced fan experience. Fiesta Sports Foundation operates the Cactus Bowl as part of its year-round slate of programming in the areas of youth, sports and education.
Founded in 1989 as the Copper Bowl in Tucson, the Cactus Bowl will be played this season on Saturday, December 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. MST as part of ABC Saturday Night Football in primetime, in addition to ESPN’s digital platforms. For the first time since 2015, the postseason contest will be played in Tempe at Mountain America Stadium.
For college football fans who love offense and riveting games, the Cactus Bowl is the highest-scoring game in Bowl Season over the last three seasons with a combined 207 points and is one of only two bowl games to be decided by three points or fewer in each of the last two seasons.
“Today marks a new chapter for the Cactus Bowl, which has always represented the best of what Arizona has to offer in a holiday period for families here and those traveling from all over the country to support their universities,” said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director and CEO Erik Moses. “Reviving the Cactus Bowl name with a logo that reflects what’s unique to our Arizona roots and returning to Tempe gives us a true identity and shows our commitment to making this one of the premier destination bowl games in the country. Having a primetime audience on network television from coast-to coast will amplify the experience we deliver to all our stakeholders.”
Bringing back the Cactus Bowl name ties the game to its Arizona roots, reflecting one of the state’s most iconic symbols. From 2014-17, the game carried the Cactus Bowl name, including a memorable matchup when West Virginia edged Arizona State, 43-42, on January 2, 2016, before 39,321 fans.
An active new logo is highlighted by a cactus shaped like goalposts, with a football in motion flying through the middle of the opening as if it were scoring points for the team. Accompanying that mark is Fiesta Sports Foundation’s hallmark sunburst, along with one of Arizona’s heralded sunset landscapes complete with cacti and the multiple colorful hues that paint the sky.
For the fourth straight Bowl Season, the Cactus Bowl will take place on December 26. This year is the game’s first Saturday kickoff since 2016, in the edge-of-your-seat offensive explosion between Arizona State and West Virginia.
Game time for the weekend contest is 5:30 p.m. MST, allowing attending fans to enjoy extensive pregame tailgate and entertainment opportunities, in addition to the option to take in social activities in the City of Tempe. Further details about game entertainment will be announced in the Fall.
This marks the second stint for the Cactus Bowl on the ASU campus in Tempe. From 2006-15, the game was played at Mountain America Stadium, where four of the highest attended games in Bowl history were played. Eight of the nine games in Tempe were between Big Ten and Big 12 schools, similar to the matchup that will feature the two conferences this season.
The most-attended game in Cactus Bowl history came on December 30, 2011, when Oklahoma defeated Iowa in Tempe before 54,247 fans. Two years later, Kansas State downed Michigan, 31-14, with 53,284 fans in the Wolverines’ only Cactus Bowl appearance.
“I can’t think of a better holiday gift to our city than to return the Cactus Bowl game to Tempe. Bringing the Cactus Bowl to our city will boost tourism and bring positive exposure to Tempe, attracting new visitors and corporations alike,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “Tempe has enjoyed a strong long-standing relationship with Fiesta Sports Foundation since the early 1970s and we’re excited about partnering with both the Foundation and ASU for this highly-visible event.”
“Arizona State University welcomes the Cactus Bowl back to Tempe, as the growth of our Tempe campus, Mountain America Stadium’s presence and the Novus Corridor all make this a natural combination to play the Cactus Bowl on Frank Kush Field,” said Arizona State Athletics Director Graham Rossini. “Our Sun Devils played some fun games in the Cactus Bowl when it was downtown, and we look forward to staging a fun matchup with a Big 12 and Big Ten opponent enjoying all that Arizona has to offer in December.”
Fans attending the game will be close to the action in a college football seating configuration on top of the field. Seat locations will be in the lower level and premium areas such as luxury suites and club level seats for a comfortable and immersive setting.
Locking in seats starts now with a $50 deposit per seat by clicking this link.
Returning Legacy Members will be contacted to select their seats in the coming months, in addition to those who place deposits now, prior to the public onsale in September.
“An announcement like this gets me excited for college football season and now I can mark my calendar for December 26 to be there when teams from the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences square off right here in Tempe,” said Fiesta Sports Foundation Board Chair Nick Smith. “The new Cactus Bowl venue in a traditional Saturday primetime environment under lights in a college football stadium will bring new energy to the game and allow us to deliver a memorable experience full of Yellow Jacket hospitality for the teams, schools, families, alumni and fans.”
