SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation today announced Cactus Bowl as the new name of the annual postseason bowl game played in Tempe, Ariz.
The 26th annual bowl game will kick off on Friday, January 2, at 8:15 p.m. ESPN will air the game. Beginning this season, the Tempe-based bowl game, formerly known as the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and the Insight Bowl, will match the sixth selection from the Pac-12 Conference against the fifth pick from the Big 12 Conference, after selections by the College Football Playoff.
"Our new name represents an iconic symbol for the state of Arizona," said Mike Nealy, Cactus Bowl executive director. "The name will also resonate with the thousands of fans traveling to the Southwest to experience our great bowl game and unmatched hospitality."
The game was founded in 1989 as the Copper Bowl and spent its first 11 years at Arizona Stadium on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. In 2006, the game moved to Tempe, Ariz., and is played at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium.
