Upcoming BYU Cougars Football dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
BYU football in brief: the 1984 champions and a Big 12 newcomer
BYU plays its home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo, Utah, and the regular season runs from late August or early September through late November. The program began in 1922 and moved through the Rocky Mountain, Skyline, Western Athletic and Mountain West conferences before spending 2011 through 2022 as an independent. It joined the Big 12 in 2023.
BYU's identity was built under coach LaVell Edwards, who led the program from 1972 to 2000 and won 19 of its conference titles. The peak came in 1984, when a 13–0 team won the national championship. Quarterback Ty Detmer won the Heisman Trophy in 1990, the school's only winner.
The colors are blue and white, the mascot is Cosmo the Cougar, and the fight song is "The Cougar Song." The university is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which shapes much of the gameday atmosphere. Rosters and staff change, so check BYU's official site for the current coaching staff.
Where to sit at LaVell Edwards Stadium
The stadium opened on October 2, 1964, as Cougar Stadium and was renamed for Edwards in 2000. Capacity has changed with renovations: 65,000 from 1982 to 2002, 63,470 from 2011 to 2023, and 62,073 since 2024. The record crowd is 66,247, set against Notre Dame in 1993. The field is natural Kentucky bluegrass, runs north to south, and sits at about 4,649 feet above sea level.
East vs. west sideline
The press box is on the west sideline. Because the field runs north to south, the afternoon sun moves into the western sky: west-side seats have it at their backs, while the east sideline faces into it late in the day. For early-season afternoon kickoffs, the west side is the more comfortable choice; for night games, either side works.
Sideline vs. end zone
Sideline seats between the 30-yard lines give the best view, and the middle of the lower bowl is the sweet spot. Seats in the curved end zones are the cheaper way in and put you close to goal-line plays, but the far end of the field looks flat from there. The upper rows of the bowl offer wide views of the Wasatch Range, which is part of the experience in Provo.
The student section
BYU consolidated its student section into one area in 2013. Students get in through the ROC Pass program. If you are a visiting fan, sit away from the student area; if you want energy, sit near it.
The Holy War and the BYU games that sell out
BYU's biggest home game is the Holy War against Utah, played for the Beehive Boot. The two schools disagree on the series start: Utah counts games from 1896, when BYU was Brigham Young Academy, while BYU counts from 1922. Utah leads either way. With Utah's arrival in the Big 12 in 2024, the game is a conference matchup again for the first time since 2010, and BYU won close games in both 2024 and 2025.
- Utah: the top-demand game of any season, hardest to get when it is in Provo.
- Utah State: the in-state rivalry for the Old Wagon Wheel.
- Big 12 opponents: ranked conference teams, homecoming and night games on national television draw the next tier of demand.
- Notre Dame and other national brands: historically among the biggest crowds; the stadium record came against the Irish.
Lower-profile nonconference games in September are the easiest tickets to find.
Gameday in Provo: altitude, weather and traditions
Provo is about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City International Airport, reached via I-15 to the University Parkway exit. At 4,649 feet, the air is thinner and drier than most visitors expect: drink water, and bring layers for night games, when temperatures drop quickly after sunset, especially in November.
Ticket, parking and bag rules change, so check BYU's ticket policies and the athletics site before you go. BYU also maps its campus parking online; lots fill early for rivalry and night games.
How BYU football tickets work
BYU sells season tickets first, with location priority tied to giving to the athletic department's donor program. Students buy the ROC Pass, which covers student admission. Single-game tickets go on sale after season tickets are placed, and BYU delivers tickets through a mobile ticket system.
For most September games, primary tickets remain available into game week. For Utah, ranked Big 12 opponents and prime-time games, the primary supply runs out, and the resale market becomes the way most fans get in. Resale prices track the team's record, the opponent, the kickoff time and the forecast, often easing late for lesser games and rising for marquee matchups.
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BYU history and notable moments
Before the 1984 title, BYU announced itself with the 1980 Holiday Bowl against SMU, known as the "Miracle Bowl": trailing 45–25 with about four minutes left, the Cougars rallied to win 46–45. That game and the national title two seasons later made the program a national name outside the major conferences.
The stadium itself grew with the program, from 28,812 seats at its opening to 35,000 in 1968 and 65,000 after a 1982 expansion, then trimmed in later renovations that added premium seating.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the BYU Cougars play home football games?
BYU plays at LaVell Edwards Stadium on campus in Provo, Utah. It opened in 1964 as Cougar Stadium and has a capacity of 62,073.
Which side of LaVell Edwards Stadium is in the shade?
The field runs north to south, so during afternoon games the west sideline has the sun at its back while the east sideline faces it. The press box is on the west side.
What is the Holy War?
It is BYU's rivalry with the University of Utah, played for the Beehive Boot. Both schools are in the Big 12, so it is a conference game again.
What conference is BYU football in?
BYU joined the Big 12 in 2023 after spending 2011 through 2022 as an independent. It previously played in the Mountain West and the WAC.
How high is LaVell Edwards Stadium?
The stadium sits at about 4,649 feet above sea level. Visitors should drink water and bring layers for evening games.