SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (September 14, 2026) – With the college football regular season underway, the new era of the Cactus Bowl is on tap for the 37^th annual game on Saturday, December 26. Game tickets are now on sale to guarantee seat locations at Arizona State University's Mountain America Stadium.

The Cactus Bowl will feature college football's only Big Ten-Big 12 matchup, with a primetime Saturday night kickoff at 5:30 p.m. MST, in Tempe.

A variety of Cactus Bowl ticket options, including individual tickets, group tickets and premium experiences are available through the Fiesta Sports Foundation Ticket Office at fiestasportsfoundation.org/tickets, by reaching out to 480.350.0911 or tickets@fiestasports.org.

Last year's Cactus Bowl delivered an overtime thriller, as Minnesota defeated New Mexico, 20-17, on a game-winning diving touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. The dramatic ending provided fans with one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 bowl season.

Founded in 1989 as the Copper Bowl in Tucson, the Cactus Bowl features a new name, new logo, new venue, new television network and enhanced fan experience. This also marks the second stint for the Cactus Bowl on the Arizona State 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 this year's matchup.

The new logo reflects one of the state's most iconic symbols, featuring a cactus shaped like goalposts, with a football in motion flying through the uprights as if it were scoring points for the team. Additionally, the Fiesta Sports Foundation's sunburst, colorful sunset landscape and cacti further encapsulate the bowl's Arizona ties.

All tickets purchased for the game help support Fiesta Sports Foundation, which provides statewide impact through youth, sports and education programs. Over the past decade, the Foundation has donated more than $35 million to Arizona communities across all 15 counties of the state.


ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Cactus Bowl and its year-round events, including the Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org, at @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram, @TheCactusBowl on X and @CactusBowl on Instagram.