BRONX, NY (607NewsNow) – Ahead of the 66th Cortaca Jug football game this weekend, the schools are making plans for the 67th.
On November 12, officials announced that next year’s game is headed back to Yankee Stadium.
It will be the third time the historic matchup between Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland, billed as the “biggest little game in the nation” by Sports Illustrated, will be played in a professional sports venue in the New York City area. The Bombers and Red Dragons last played in the Bronx in 2022, drawing over 40,000 fans in a 34-17 victory for IC. The attendance at the game was the second highest in Division III history, trailing only the 45,161 fans the two teams drew to MetLife Stadium in 2019.
“Both institutions won when Yankee Stadium hosted us in 2022, and we’re looking forward to reaching new heights next year,” said SUNY Cortland President Erik Bitterbaum.
In 2026, the Red Dragons, who went on to win the Division III National Championship in 2023, will serve as the designated home team at the stadium, which also hosts the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl among other marquee college football games.
“We couldn’t be more excited to host the Cortaca Jug matchup for a second time at Yankee Stadium,” said Yankees Vice President of Non-Baseball Sports Events Mark Holtzman. “The 2022 game was a perfect college football afternoon filled with tremendous warmth and energy from the students, alumni and fans of both schools. As soon as the game was concluded, we wanted to do it again, and we deeply appreciate that the administrations of SUNY Cortland and Ithaca felt the same way.
In the meantime, the 66th Cortaca Jug takes place this Saturday at Butterfield Stadium in Ithaca. Kickoff is at noon.
If you missed out on tickets, the game will be streamed live on ICTV, or head to The Cortland Beer Company for watch party.
In related news, both schools are squaring off in the 2025 Cortaca Can Collection Competition. Whomever collects the most money in the can-and-bottle drive wins. All funds raised will be donated to Cortland ReUse and Finger Lakes ReUse.
