On September 19, the Miami Hurricanes will travel to Cincinnati to meet the Bearcats at FC Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, a venue built for soccer that will host its first ever college football game.
A Venue Reimagined
The contest revives the long‑standing Battle for the Victory Bell, a rivalry that dates back more than a century and currently favors Cincinnati by a slim margin of 61‑60‑7 in the all‑time series.
Both programs endured losing seasons a year ago, but Miami’s head coach Chuck Martin enters the new campaign with a hopeful outlook, citing the unique setting as a catalyst for excitement.
Season‑ticket holders for the Bearcats and FC Cincinnati will receive an exclusive pre‑sale window before the general public, a move that underscores the event’s high demand and is expected to sell out quickly.
Martin, who has previously coached in soccer‑specific facilities, called the arrangement a “brilliant idea,” emphasizing the strategic benefits of playing in a stadium designed for a different sport.
The decision to stage the game at TQL Stadium reflects a broader ambition to expand the reach of college football beyond traditional grids, blending the energy of a soccer arena with the tradition of the Bell rivalry.