The postseason college football game that once called Tempe home is set to make a comeback, this time under a fresh identity.
Cactus Bowl Returns to Tempe
The Rate Bowl is being rebranded as the Cactus Bowl, and the game will be staged at Arizona State University’s Mountain America Stadium on Saturday, December 26, featuring a matchup between the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences.
Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director Erik Moses emphasized that reclaiming the Cactus Bowl name and returning to Tempe reflects a desire to honor the bowl’s heritage while celebrating the stadium’s role in the city’s sports culture.
Mountain America Stadium previously hosted the bowl from 2006 through 2015, and its most‑attended game drew more than 54,000 fans, underscoring the event’s historic draw.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods highlighted the game’s potential to boost tourism and raise the city’s profile, noting the region’s long‑standing partnership with the Fiesta Sports Foundation that dates back to the 1970s.
The contest will pit a Big Ten team against a Big 12 opponent, giving fans a rare chance to see top talent from two of the nation’s most competitive conferences.