$550,000 to Play Idaho in 2033: Why This Cougar Rivalry Is Built to Last

Holy smokes, Cougar Nation, get ready! We just learned that Washington State is locking down the Idaho Vandals for another gridiron battle, adding them to the 2033 football schedule! This isn't just a rumor, folks. The contract is out there, confirmed by FBSchedules.com after a public records request. Get ready to mark your calendars for September 3, 2033, because the Vandals are coming to Martin Stadium in Pullman, and it's going to be absolutely electric!

The Price Tag and the History Books

You know how much these rivalry games mean, right? Well, WSU is putting some serious cash on the table to make sure this one happens. According to the contract, the Cougars are shelling out a whopping $550,000 guarantee to Idaho for playing this game. That's how much this rivalry matters! This isn't some new fling, either. The WSU-Idaho rivalry stretches way back to 1894, a tradition older than most of us can even imagine. Our Cougs hold a commanding lead in the overall series, sitting pretty at 74-17-3. Talk about bragging rights!

And let's not forget the last time these two squared off. Last season, our boys slipped by the Vandals with a tight 13-10 victory. Every single point counted in that one, proving just how intense these matchups always are. We've seen plenty of these showdowns, too. From 1998 through 2007, they played ten times, with nine of those games lighting up Pullman and one even going down in Seattle. Can you believe the last time they met at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow was all the way back in 1966? That's some serious history right there.

More Rivalry on the Horizon, Plus This Season's Kickoff!

The best part? This 2033 game isn't a standalone event. The Cougs and Vandals are already scheduled to clash again in Pullman on September 4, 2027, and then again on September 15, 2029. These rivalry games are clearly here to stay, and this 2033 announcement just solidifies that commitment. For both teams, this 2033 date marks their first scheduled non-conference contest for that season, so you know everyone will be ready to throw down!

Now, let's bring it back to the here and now, because while we're hyped for 2033, the 2026 season is practically upon us! The Washington State Cougars are set to kick off their season on Saturday, September 5, and guess what? They're on the road right here in our backyard, in Seattle, against the rival Washington Huskies! Get ready to make some noise at Lumen Field, 12s, because that's going to be a battle from the jump. Idaho starts even earlier, in Week Zero, on Friday, August 28, with an away game against the Cal Poly Mustangs. But for us here in the Emerald City, that WSU-UW opener is where it's at!

So, while we look forward to more Cougar-Vandal history in 2033 and beyond, let's focus on supporting our local teams. That WSU opener against the Huskies in Seattle? That's what's at stake right now: early season bragging rights and setting the tone for the entire year!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.