Boise State, Idaho Vandals to Renew Football Rivalry in 2031

Idaho Governor orders schools to resume annual matchup after over 20-year hiatus

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After a long absence, the football rivalry between Boise State University and the University of Idaho will be renewed in 2031, at the order of Idaho Governor Brad Little. The two schools have not played each other since 2010, when the president of Boise State made disparaging comments about Idaho fans being "nasty and inebriated". Fans in Idaho have long called the discontinued rivalry a "missed opportunity", and are excited for the historic matchup to return.

Why it matters

The Boise State-Idaho rivalry is one of the longest-running and most heated college football rivalries in the Pacific Northwest. Renewing the annual game will reignite state pride and provide a boost to the local economy through increased ticket sales and tourism. However, the schools' past animosity could lead to an intense and potentially unruly atmosphere at the games.

The details

The Boise State-Idaho football rivalry dates back to 1971, with the two schools playing each other annually until 2010. In the last matchup that year, the president of Boise State University made disparaging comments about Idaho fans, calling them "nasty and inebriated". This led to the rivalry being discontinued, much to the dismay of fans across the state. Now, Idaho Governor Brad Little has ordered the schools to resume the annual game, which is scheduled to take place on September 6, 2031.

  • The last Boise State-Idaho football game was played in 2010.
  • The rivalry will be renewed on September 6, 2031.

The players

Brad Little

The Governor of Idaho, who ordered Boise State and the University of Idaho to resume their annual football rivalry.

Boise State University

A public research university located in Boise, Idaho, and one of the participants in the renewed football rivalry.

University of Idaho

A public research university located in Moscow, Idaho, and the other participant in the renewed football rivalry.

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What’s next

Fans will have to wait over a decade for the rivalry to be renewed, as the next Boise State-Idaho football game is scheduled for September 6, 2031.

The takeaway

The return of the Boise State-Idaho football rivalry, after more than 20 years of absence, will reignite state pride and provide an economic boost, but also has the potential to revive the schools' past animosity and create an intense, possibly unruly, atmosphere at the games.