The nationally iconic crosstown rivalry all-sports competition between USC and UCLA will have a new presenting partner and trophy starting this fall. The Southern California BMW Centers will be the exclusive sponsor of the unique rivalry series and will present the winner with the SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup, formally known as The Gauntlet.
The SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup will be awarded annually to the athletic department with the most success against the other in head-to-head matchups in all sports during an academic year. Ten points are available for each of the 19 men's and women's sports (football, men's & women's basketball, & olympic sports) in which the schools compete, with all 10 points for a single sport awarded to the winner of the most head-to-head contests in that sport (the 10 points are split if both schools win an equal amount of matchups in a sport).
The highest finisher in Pac-12 championship play will determine who gets the 10 points in sports that don't feature a head-to-head competition between the schools. Whichever university has the most points at the end of the athletic year will be the winner of the SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup.
It takes 100 points to clinch the trophy.
Only 10 miles separate USC and UCLA, making this the only rivalry in the nation that features two schools in the same city with such elite athletic traditions. While the rivalry dates back to the 1920s, the official head-to-head battle to determine an annual all-sports champion started in the 2001-02 season.
USC holds a 9-4 advantage over UCLA in the all-time standings of the competition.
"We at BMW are excited and honored to be the exclusive partner for the SoCal BMW Crosstown Cup," said Sven Wood, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, BMW of North America. "The Ultimate Driving Machine meets the ultimate college rivalry -- a perfect fit for both the Southern California BMW Centers and the BMW brand. Let the games begin!"
Fans are encouraged to use #ultimaterivalry on social media throughout the competition.
"The USC-UCLA rivalry is unlike any in college athletics, with two universities of such academic prestige and athletic tradition sharing the same city," added USC Athletic Director Pat Haden. "No matter the sport, whenever the Trojans compete against the Bruins, it is an intense battle. This unique all-sports competition between the schools has added another element to the rivalry."
"Regardless of the sport, regardless of the records, whenever UCLA and USC meet, it is larger than just a game," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "From your barber to the grocery store checker to your co-worker down the hall, as you simply go about your daily routine, you get a sense of the magnitude of this rivalry because everyone in the city is talking about it."
UCLA leads the nation with 110 NCAA team championships and 131 total national championships. USC's 100 NCAA and 122 total titles rank third and second, respectively, and the Trojans boast the most NCAA men's championships with 84.
