Show your colors: Wildcat Fridays are back
Wildcat fans can gear up at Campus Store locations and online through a 25% discount on all University of Arizona logo merchandise on the Friday before every home game.
A new academic year brings a new football season, and the return of a campus tradition. Arizona Athletics is looking to unite faculty, staff, students and the entire university community behind Wildcat red and blue through Wildcat Fridays. The effort is designed to connect fans throughout Arizona and beyond through university spirit.
Fans in Arizona and across the country can join in by wearing red and blue on the Fridays before Arizona football games, beginning Aug. 29, the day before the home opener against Hawaii. The show of spirit can extend to the workplace, where employees are invited to decorate their workspaces and display officewide pride on Wildcat Fridays.
"Wildcat Fridays are an opportunity to unify our fans across the state and across the country as we show our unwavering support for our Wildcats," said Desireé Reed-François, director of athletics. "As a proud graduate myself, we want to send a powerful message that wearing the red and blue each Friday brings us all together with the Bear Down spirit."
Desireé Reed-Francois
Gear up with a 25% Campus Store discount
The Campus Store is helping fans upgrade their Wildcat wardrobes and workspaces by offering a 25% discount on all University of Arizona logo clothing and gifts on the Friday before every home game. Discounts are available at the Campus Store's Student Union location, the A-Store at McKale Memorial Center, Campus Store Medical at 1501 N. Campbell Ave. and online.
"Wildcat Fridays are a powerful tradition that unites our students, faculty, alumni and the greater Tucson community in celebrating Wildcat pride," said Peter Neff, executive director of the Campus Store. "This is more than just a promotion – it's our way of helping the community come together, show their colors and feel connected. Whether you're on campus or in the stands, we want everyone to wear their red and blue proudly."
Each home game will feature a gameday t-shirt designed by students from colleges across the university. Students can submit design concepts to inspire the shirt for the final home game of the season on Nov. 22 vs. Baylor. The winning design concept will be on shirts sold at the Campus Store, featured on Arizona Athletics social media accounts and displayed on the videoboard during the game. The deadline to submit is Sept. 9.
Fans in Arizona and around the country are encouraged to wear Wildcat red and blue on the Fridays before Arizona football games, beginning Aug. 29, the day before the home opener against Hawaii.
Sharing the spirit statewide
The return of Wildcat Fridays supports the "Galvanizing Community" pillar of Arizona Athletics' Bear Down Blueprint strategic plan, which aims to connect with Wildcat fans of all ages.
As part of this effort, Arizona Athletics has partnered with Mission View Elementary School and Lynn-Urquides Elementary School in Tucson on a reading program, rewarding kindergarten through sixth grade students who read four qualifying books with two free tickets to the home opener. In addition, the university has provided Arizona football shirts to over 400 high school counselors at schools throughout the state and beyond to share with students.
Bear Down Bash
Arizona Athletics is also looking to elevate the gameday experience with the "Bear Down Bash" – a tailgate concert series bringing live music to Arizona Stadium on home game days, giving fans more reasons to show up early, stay late and celebrate together. The series will continue through basketball season.
Mark your calendar
This year's home football schedule is below. As game times are determined, they will be posted on the Arizona Athletics website.
- Aug. 30 vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 6 vs. Weber State, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Kansas State, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 4 vs. Oklahoma State, TBA
- Oct. 11 vs. BYU, TBA
- Nov. 8 vs. Kansas, TBA
- Nov. 22 vs. Baylor, TBA