Next year’s annual Cortaca Jug, the storied football rivalry between SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College, will once again take place at Yankee Stadium.
The news was officially announced Wednesday Nov. 12, 2025. The game will happen on Saturday Nov. 14, 2026, and it marks a major return to the Bronx following the 2022 Cortaca Jug held there, which drew more than 40,000 fans and brought national attention to both programs.
Tickets for the 2026 game are expected to go on sale Nov. 20, 2025. The student pre-sale will begin Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m., through Ticketmaster. Fans should keep an eye on the official Cortland Athletics website and the university’s social media channels for links and information about how to purchase. The 2022 matchup at Yankee Stadium sold tens of thousands of tickets within weeks, and this year’s return is expected to generate the same level of excitement, if not more.
When the teams meet again in the Bronx it will mark another chapter in one of the most celebrated rivalries in college football. For many students this will be their first chance to witness Cortaca Jug in a professional sports venue, something that has quickly become part of the Red Dragon legacy.
Often called “the biggest little game in the nation,” the Cortaca Jug has grown from a small town rivalry into a full scale celebration of school pride and community. For students and alumni alike, it represents more than just football. It is a day that highlights tradition, spirit, and the deep connection between two historic schools.
For Cortland students, this announcement brings a wave of pride and anticipation. Many remember the stories, photos, and energy from 2022, when Cortaca took over Yankee Stadium, and now there is a chance to create those same memories all over again. It is an opportunity to represent Cortland on one of the biggest stages in the country and to show once again what it means to be a Red Dragon.
To build excitement for the announcement a new TikTok video featuring President Erik Bitterbaum was shared on campus social media. In the video, filmed inside Cortland’s Park Center, Bitterbaum takes part in a series of athletic moments, such as lining up to pitch a baseball, appearing in a media shoot, and showing his Red Dragon pride while wearing lucky number 67 in honor of the 67th annual Cortaca Jug. The short clip quickly made its way across campus feeds, sparking laughs and school spirit from students eager to relive the Yankee Stadium experience.
Whether students plan to travel to New York City or cheer from campus, the countdown to Cortaca 2026 has officially begun and the excitement is already in full swing.