The Territorial Cup
The Territorial Cup is more than a trophy—it is a symbol of Arizona’s oldest athletic rivalry and one of the longest-running traditions in college football. Its history stretches back to the very beginnings of University of Arizona football and continues to unite generations of Wildcats through competition, pride, and tradition.
How It Began
The story of the Territorial Cup begins in 1899, the same year the University of Arizona fielded its first football team. That inaugural era laid the foundation for a rivalry that remains one of the defining traditions in Arizona athletics.
Who Owns the Trophy
The trophy was originally awarded to Arizona Territorial Normal School—today's Arizona State University—after it won the Arizona Territorial Football League championship in 1899. While the trophy is shared by both institutions today, its earliest chapter belongs to the state's pre-statehood era and the schools that helped shape Arizona's educational history.
Lost and Found
After its presentation in 1899, the Territorial Cup vanished for more than 80 years. In one of college sports' great pieces of trophy lore, it was rediscovered in a church basement in Tempe in 1980, returning a long-lost piece of Arizona history to public view
Rivalry Renewed: Modern Era
In 2001, the presidents of the University of Arizona and Arizona State University agreed that the winner of the annual football rivalry game—known as the Duel in the Desert—would take possession of the Territorial Cup for the following year. The tradition continues today, adding even greater meaning to one of college football's most passionate rivalries.
What the Territorial Cup Represents
The Territorial Cup represents more than wins and losses. It reflects shared history, school pride, and a competitive spirit that has connected Arizona students and alumni for more than a century. As the oldest rivalry trophy in college football, it stands as a reminder that great traditions endure across generations.