Big Game (American Football)

Big Game (American Football)

The Big Game is an American college football rivalry game played by the California Golden Bears football team of the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford Cardinal football team of Stanford University. It is typically played in late November or early December. The first Big Game was held on March 19, 1892 on San Francisco's Haight Street Grounds when Stanford beat Cal 14–10. It is the tenth longest rivalry in NCAA Division I FBS football. Stanford leads the series record at 58–46–11 (wins–losses–ties). The location of the Big Game alternates between the two universities every year. In even-numbered years, the game is played at Berkeley, while in odd-numbered years, it is played at Stanford. The 115th Big Game took place at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday, October 20, 2012, and was won by Stanford, 21-3.

In the week before the game, both schools celebrate the occasion with rallies, reunions, and luncheons. Cal students hold a traditional pep rally and bonfire at the Hearst Greek Theatre on the eve of the game, while Stanford students stage the Gaieties, a theatrical production that both celebrates and pokes fun at the rivalry. The week also includes various other athletic events including "The Big Splash" (water polo), "The Big Spike" (volleyball), "The Big Sweep" (Quidditch), "The Big Freeze" (ice hockey), and the Ink Bowl, a touch football game between the members of the two schools' newspapers. In addition, the two schools compete in a blood drive called "Rivals for Life."