Since 1929, Arizona's home football venue was always known as Arizona Stadium.
In the naming-rights era in sports, both collegiately and professionally, the Arizona athletic department is cashing in on selling the naming rights of Arizona Stadium to Casino Del Sol, an enterprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
UA announced on Monday that it reached a 20-year naming rights agreement with Casino Del Sol. The 20-year deal with Casino Del Sol is valued at more than $60 million — the largest total amount in the Big 12 and one of the largest valuations in Power 4.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said the agreement to have Casino Del Sol earn naming rights to Arizona Stadium “speaks to the momentum and it speaks to the excitement about what’s happening at Arizona right now. We’re excited, because this partnership is something new and it’s such a big deal.
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“Their commitment is telling us how much they believe in what’s happening at the University of Arizona. That’s what’s exciting about it. For someone on that level to want to partner with us and build this thing together, fantastic.”
The $3 million that Arizona receives annually for the next two decades "is one of those levers that provide comprehensive support,” said Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois.
“We keep investing in our football program, we keep investing in our student-athletes and this is the modern era of college athletics," she said on Monday. "Resources are critical. ... This partnership with Casino Del Sol is one facet in that drive for competitive resources. We’re going to keep adding and we have to be aggressive in that space.”
So, without further ado, the Casino Del Sol Stadium era is officially here — or as Arizona's defensive coordinator nicknamed it, "The Sol."
It doesn't change the nearly 100 years of history that took place within those walls, whether it's memorable victories for Arizona football, a Jay-Z concert, UA graduations or Snoop Dogg putting a chain around the winning coach of the Arizona Bowl.
Arizona's final home game of the season against Baylor on Saturday morning will be the first event at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
ӰAV offensive lineman Mickey Baucus kisses the Territorial Cup in celebration after the Wildcats beat ASU to win the Pac-12 South in 2014.
We recently sent out the and asked for Arizona fans and Tucsonans to submit their favorite memories of the venue formerly known as Arizona Stadium. Here are some of the submissions.
- Arizona defensive back Chuck Cecil's interception return against Arizona State in the 1986 Territorial Cup, which is considered the greatest play in program history.
- The Wildcats taking down top-ranked Washington in 1992 during the early stages of the "Desert Swarm" defense.
- Cornerback Antoine Cason's pick-six against a No. 8 Cal team in 2006. The Wildcats also beat Cal with a walk-off Hail Mary pass from Anu Solomon to Austin Hill — a play widely known as the "Hill Mary." The Wildcats also ended their 20-game losing streak to Cal in 2021.
- Arizona's upset win over second-ranked Oregon in 2007, spoiling the Ducks' BCS national championship hopes.
- Arizona's upset win over No. 9 Iowa in 2010 in Nick Foles' second year as the Wildcats' starting quarterback. Arizona ended the game by sacking Iowa four straight times.
- Arizona winning the Pac-12 South title and advancing to the Pac-12 Championship after beating ASU in 2014. Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III had one of the most productive seasons in UA history and became a consensus All-American.
- The parade and celebration for the UA men's basketball team that won the national championship in 1997.
Got any memories you'd like to share? Email Star UA football beat reporter at jspears@tucson.com.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports

