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.”…