Territorial Cup
What is the Territorial Cup?
The heated in-state rivalry between ASU and the University of Arizona football is highlighted yearly during the Territorial Cup, the oldest trophy awarded in the sport. Also known as the Duel in the Desert, this rivalry is a major cultural event in Arizona, with fans, alumni and students deeply invested in the outcome. The rivalry extends beyond football into other sports, but football remains the biggest showdown.
Did you know?
- The Territorial Cup was first awarded in 1899 in the Arizona Territory, nearly 13 years before Arizona became a state in 1912.
- The Arizona Normal School (now ASU) won the first-ever Territorial Cup game on November 30, 1899, defeating the University of Arizona 11-2 in Tucson.
- The two teams have met every year since 1946 and it is often considered the most crucial game of the season for both schools.
- After disappearing for decades, the original trophy was found in the ASU Alumni Association’s basement in 1980. The NCAA later recognized it as the oldest rivalry trophy in college football.
A deeper dive into Territorial Cup history and rivalry
The rivalry between the Arizona schools dates back to when Arizona was still a U.S. territory. In the early days, resentment grew between the cities of Phoenix and Tucson. The University of Arizona was founded in 1885 as the state’s first university. That same year, Tempe Normal School was established as a small teachers' college in the farming community of Tempe, just east of Phoenix. Over the years, it evolved into Arizona State Teacher’s College, then Arizona State College at Tempe and eventually Arizona State University.
Early football history
The football rivalry between the two schools spans more than century. In 1899, the Arizona Territorial Normal School football team claimed the original Territorial Cup by winning the Arizona Territorial Football League Championship after a season of three games. The Normals, as they were then known, were undefeated, beating:
Phoenix Union High School (6–0)
- Phoenix Indian School (6–0)
- University of Arizona (11–2)
The first "Big Game" against the University of Arizona took place on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1899, at Carillo Gardens Field in Tucson, drawing a vocal crowd of 300 fans. Newspaper accounts suggest it was the University team's first game. The Normal team was reported to be physically larger and better conditioned. The atmosphere was one of genuine sportsmanship. University students met the Normal squad at the train station, hosted them in a dormitory, and offered a post-game Thanksgiving feast.
The 1950s
The rivalry, however, takes a less friendly turn at a pivotal moment in the 1950s. At the time, Arizona State College was pushing to become Arizona State University, a change that seemed inevitable given Phoenix’s rapid growth. But the University of Arizona, which had been the state’s only university for decades, strongly opposed it.
In 1958, Proposition 200 appeared on the ballot to officially change ASC’s name to ASU. On the day of the first game at Sun Devil Stadium, some UA fans broke in and burned “No on 200” into the grass, marking the turning point.
Proposition 200 passed easily, and later that season ASU went down to Tucson and crushed UA 47–0. While other events have added fuel to the fire over the years, that moment set the tone for the bitterness that’s defined the rivalry ever since.
The ‘Ultimatum Bowl’
Another notably heated game came in 1968. The contest was expected to decide which team would go on to the Sun Bowl, but before the game, Arizona coach Darrell Mudra issued an ultimatum to the Sun Bowl committee that his team would not play in the bowl unless they were selected regardless of who won.
The committee chose Arizona, who promptly lost to Arizona State by a score of 30-7 in what became known as the "Ultimatum Bowl." The events led to the creation of the Fiesta Bowl as a default bowl for Arizona State should they receive no other bids. The Fiesta Bowl went on to become part of the highly lucrative Bowl Championship Series and is now part of the College Football Playoff system.
In the modern era of the game, the Territorial Cup has often been played on the day after Thanksgiving. Starting with the 2009-2010 school year, State Farm became the presenting sponsor for the State Farm Territorial Cup Series. This series encompasses each of the 20 varsity intercollegiate sports that Arizona and Arizona State compete head to head in.
Each sport is worth one point in the year-long competition. The school that wins the most head to head competitions is awarded the new Territorial Cup Series Trophy.
The trophy goes missing
The Territorial Cup stands out not only as the oldest existing rivalry trophy in the country, but also because of its unusual history. The trophy soon disappeared after its inaugural season — and remained missing for nearly 80 years.
It was eventually discovered in the early 1980s in the basement of a church. Once found, the cup was put on display in the Alumni Association headquarters and then the ASU Archives. It was later authenticated as the original cup by the NCAA, making it the oldest rivalry game trophy in college football.
In 2000, Arizona contacted Arizona State about displaying the cup on their campus. The following year, then ASU President Lattie Coor ordered that the Territorial Cup be shared as a traveling trophy, to be displayed by each year's winner. Coor and then UA President Peter Likins signed a protocol governing the cup's use and care. Each year the tradition is celebrated at a pre-game reception for boosters. A replica version was also made and is the trophy presented to the winner after the game.
Remarkably, it wasn’t officially presented to the winner of the rivalry game until 2001. That journey adds a unique layer to its legacy, not just because of its age, but because of the unexpected path it took to become a symbol of the rivalry.
About the trophy
The original Territorial Cup is silver-plated over a britannia base metal, manufactured by Reed and Barton of Taunton, Massachusetts. Priced at $20 in their 1910 catalog (about $440 in 2007 dollars), the inscription reads:
“Arizona Foot League Championship 1899 Normal”
*Historical data courtesy of University Archives, ASU Libraries.
Territorial Cup scoring
Arizona State University and University of Arizona sports teams compete against one another in 19 common varsity intercollegiate sports during the academic year. For a school to be the winner of the Territorial Cup series trophy, it must accumulate 11 points.
Each sport will be worth one point.
- The point is awarded to the team that wins a season series.
- If the teams play once in a given season (football), that game counts as one point.
- For baseball and softball, all regular-season games, including the non-conference games, count towards the season series tally.
- For cross country, golf, and track and field only, one point is awarded to whichever team finishes higher in the conference Championship.
- If teams split the regular season match-ups, then each team receives a half-point for that sport.
- In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaker will be used: the university with the higher finish in the Directors' Cup Standings.
- In the event of a tie after the Directors' Cup standings are used the TCS will end in a tie.
Territorial Cup year-by-year scoring
2024-25: Territorial Cup heads back to Tucson
- October 9, 2024: Volleyball takes first points in Big 12 era. ASU earns half point, ASU leads 0.5-0
- October 24, 2024: Make it eight: Volleyball wins at Arizona. ASU earns half point, ASU leads 1-0
- October 25, 2024: Sun Devils unable to find equalizer against Arizona. Arizona earns one point, standings tied 1-1
- November 1, 2024: Cross Country splits at Big 12 championship. ASU earns one point, Arizona earns one point, standings tied 2-2
- November 9, 2024: Sun Devil Triathlon takes second in the national championship. Arizona earns one point, Arizona leads 3-2
- November 30, 2024: The Territorial Cup returns home. ASU earns one point, standings tied 3-3
- January 26, 2025: Gym Devils see season high at home opener. Arizona earns one point, Arizona leads 4-3
- February 1, 2025: Men’s hoops can’t mount comeback against Wildcats. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 4.5-3
- February 8, 2025: Women’s basketball gives inspired effort in loss at Arizona. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 5-3
- March 1, 2025: Men and women’s swim take home Big 12 titles. ASU earns two points, series tied 5-5
- March 1, 2025: Women’s basketball unable to claim rivalry win. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 5.5-5
- March 4, 2025: Triple-digit offensive output not enough not enough for men’s basketball. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 6-5
- March 23, 2025: Softball closes with one win. Arizona earns one point, Arizona leads 7-5
- March 26, 2025: Sand Devils sweep the Wildcats. ASU earns half a point, Arizona leads 7-5.5
- March 29, 2025: Women’s tennis falls to the team from down south. Arizona earns one point, Arizona earns 8- 5.5
- April 4, 2025: Queens of the beach. ASU earns half point, Arizona leads 8-6
- April 6, 2025: Baseball wins one in home Wildcats series. Arizona earns one point, Arizona leads 9-6
- April 12, 2025: Men’s tennis drops senior day match. Arizona earns one point, Arizona leads 10-6.
2022-23 season: Territorial Cup goes to Tucson
- September 21, 2022: Sun Devil Volleyball down Cats 3-1 in Tucson. ASU earns half point, leads 0.5-0
- October 28, 2022: Men and women’s cross country finish 8th and 11th respectively. Arizona earns points for men’s and women finishes in Pac-12 Championships, Arizona leads 2.0-.5
- November 25, 2022: Football comes up short to Arizona in Tucson. Arizona earns full point, Arizona leads 3-1.5
- November 26, 2022: Volleyball splits Territorial Cup series in season finale. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 3.5-1.5
- December 29, 2022: Women’s basketball falls short to Arizona. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 4-1.5
- December 31, 2022: Second half comeback falls short for men’s basketball. Arizona earns half point, Arizona leads 4.5-1.5
- January 22, 2023: Women’s Basketball comes up short in Tempe. Arizona earns half point and takes the sport, Arizona leads -5-1.5
- January 28, 2023: Season high drives Gym Devils to seventh straight over Wildcats. ASU earns a point, Arizona leads 5-2.5
- February 25, 2023: Men’s hoops silences McKale, down the Wildcats 89-88. ASU earns half a point, Arizona leads 5-3
- February 25, 2023: Women’s swim and dive places fifth at Pac-12 Championships. ASU takes the sport and point, Arizona leads 5-4
- March 4, 2023: Men’s swim and dive wins first Pac-12 championship. ASU takes sports and point, Territorial Cup is tied 5-5
- March 4, 2023: Men’s swim and dive wins first Pac-12 championship. ASU takes sports and point, Territorial Cup is tied 5-5
- March 12, 2023: Washington, Robinson and 4x400 earn All-America honors at NCAA indoor championships ASU earns point for men’s track; Arizona earns point for women’s track, Territorial Cup is tied 6-6
- March 10, 2023: Arizona Softball takes the series, Sun Devils pick up win in finale. Arizona takes the sport and point, Arizona leads 7-6
- March 24, 2023: Sun Devil Baseball sweeps Arizona. ASU takes the sport and point, Territorial Cup is tied 7-7
- March 29, 2023: Sand Devils rally to upset No. 18 Arizona. ASU earns half a point, ASU leads 7.5-7
- April 19, 2023: Beth Coulter finishes second at Pac-12 championships. Arizona takes the sports and point, Arizona leads 8-7.5
- April 21, 2023: Another comeback complete as Sand Devils upset No. 19 Arizona. ASU takes the sport and half point, Territorial Cup is tied 8-8
- April 22, 2023: No. 21 Sun Devils sweep Wildcats in season finale. ASU takes the sport and point, ASU leads 9-8
- April 30, 2023: Sun Devil Men’s Golf finishes second at Pac-12 Championships. ASU takes the sports and point, ASU leads 10-9
- May 14, 2023: Two Pac-12 champions not enough to bring home Territorial Cup. Arizona takes sports and points, wins the Territorial Cup 11-10
2018-19 season: Sun Devils capture 2018-19 Territorial Cup Series
2017-18 season: Arizona tops ASU 11-10 in Rivalry Series
- September 21, 2017: Volleyball falls to Arizona in three sets. Arizona earns half point
- October 20, 2017: Men’s cross country finishes ninth at Pac-12 Championship. Arizona earns one point
- October 27, 2017: Albertson claims All-Conference honor at Pac-12 women’s cross country championships. Arizona earns one point
- November 2, 2017: Sun Devil Soccer edged by Arizona 2-1 in Tucson. Arizona earns one point
- November 25, 2017: Comeback reclaims Territorial Cup for Sun Devil Football. ASU earns one point
- November 25, 2017: Volleyball’s Harker makes history in season finale. Arizona earns half point
- December 30, 2017: Men’s basketball falls in up-and-down game, 84-78. Arizona earns one point
- February 15, 2018: Sun Devil Men’s Hoops climbs back from 18-point deficit, falls short to Arizona 77-70. Arizona earns half point
- February 16, 2018: Sun Devil Women’s Basketball takes round one of Territorial Cup Series behind Ryan’s career night. ASU earns one point
- February 18, 2018: Sun Devil Women’s Basketball Claims Territorial Cup Series point after completing season sweep of Arizona. ASU earns one point
- February 24, 2018: Sun Devil Women Track and Field’s Ewen lifts Devils to Territorial Cup point at MPSF Championships; Men’s Hughes finishes sixth. ASU earns one point. Arizona earns one point
- February 24, 2018: No. 17 Gym Devils capture Territorial Cup point courtesy of historic effort. ASU earns one point
- February 24, 2018: Women’s swimming and diving’s Aiacoboae wins Pac-12 title, captures Territorial Cup point. ASU earns one point
- March 3, 2018: Men’s swimming and diving capture Territorial Cup series point. ASU earns one point
- April 6, 2018: Sun Devil Beach Volleyball takes down Colorado Mesa at the Wildcat Spring Invitational. Arizona earns one point
- April 18, 2018: Sand Devils fall to No. 14 Arizona in regular season finale
- April 20, 2018: Sun Devil Softball tops Arizona in walk-off thriller
- April 21, 2018: Sun Devils drop game two to Wildcats
- April 21, 2018: Sun Devil Women’s Tennis secure Territorial Cup series point with win in Tucson. ASU earns one point
- April 21, 2018: Men’s tennis sweeps Arizona 4-0 in Territorial Cup matchup. ASU earns one point
- April 22, 2018: Sun Devils fall to Wildcats in series finale. Arizona earns one point
- April 24, 2018: Women’s golf’s Mehaffey finishes top-5, Olmos shoots career low at Pac-12 Championships. Arizona earns one point
- April 25, 2018: Men’s golf first year student-athlete Ishika notches sixth place Pac-12 finish. ASU earns one point
- May 13, 2018: Sun Devil Women Track and Field’s Ewen claims Athlete of the Meet at Pac-12 Championships; Men’s Riddle claims fourth. ASU earns one point. Arizona earns one point
- May 17, 2018: Torkelson launches homer No. 23 in 6-4 loss at Arizona. Arizona earns one point
- May 18, 2018: Bishop's five RBIs and a ‘Tork Bomb’ lead ASU past Arizona, 10-5
- May 19, 2018: Sun Devil long balls not enough in extra inning loss at Arizona