Viva Las Vegas: Cats, Griz to play in Vegas

Cats and Bison, Griz and Jacks. 

ESPN Events on Monday announced a pair of future Vegas Kickoff Classic games at Allegiant Stadium that match up the top FCS programs from the Big Sky Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference.  
Montana State will take on North Dakota State in 2027, and Montana will face South Dakota State in 2029. Both games will be played during Labor Day weekend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the game dates, times and networks to be announced at a later time.

“We’re thrilled to have Montana, Montana State and Big Sky football showcased on ESPN as part of the Vegas Kickoff Classic,” commissioner Tom Wistrcill said in a release from the conference. “Labor Day Weekend is one of college football’s great traditions, and these games will demonstrate that the FCS can deliver marquee matchups in world-class destinations like Las Vegas, while creating a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans.”

Last year saw the largest crowd in Allegiant Stadium history (63,969) treated to USC’s 27-20 win over LSU in the second Vegas Kickoff Classic. The FCS editions of the Vegas Kickoff Classic should draw well, with the four fan bases ranking in the Top 5 for attendance last season. 

Montana and Montana State ranked first and second in FCS attendance last year, while North Dakota State and South Dakota State ranked fourth and fifth. The four teams have figured in the last two NCAA Division I Championships: North Dakota State defeated MSU 35-32 in January; South Dakota State topped the Grizzlies 23-3 for the 2023 title. 

“This is another great opportunity to increase exposure for the University of Montana and provide outstanding experiences for our student-athletes,” UM athletic director Kent…

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Publish date : 2025-08-20 02:16:00

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