Home / Sports / UArizona Pays NAU $550K for 2026 Football Showdown
UArizona Pays NAU $550K for 2026 Football Showdown
4 Sep
Summary
- Arizona Wildcats will pay Northern Arizona Lumberjacks $550,000 for a 2026 game.
- NAU's athletics relies significantly on institutional support and student fees.
- Arizona aims for a 30+ point win against NAU in the upcoming season opener.
The University of Arizona Wildcats will kick off their 2026 college football season on Saturday, September 5th, facing the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson. Arizona is heavily favored to win, with projections suggesting a margin of over 30 points.
Arizona has agreed to pay NAU $550,000 to play in this season opener, a substantial revenue source for NAU athletics. This payment is part of a long-standing arrangement where larger FBS programs in Arizona host the FCS Lumberjacks to keep athletic revenue within the state. Arizona will also host NAU in 2027 and for several years between 2030 and 2033, while ASU is scheduled to host in 2028 and 2029.
The Wildcats boast a strong team, returning 18 starters from their 9-4 record last season, led by senior quarterback Noah Fifita. Meanwhile, NAU has already played one game, securing a 34-27 comeback victory against Eastern Washington. Arizona historically dominates the series, holding a 17-2 record against NAU, including the last two matchups.
