College Football Comes to Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico Bowl to Launch in 2026 Season
The 2026 college football postseason will feature the inaugural Puerto Rico Bowl, developed and managed by Complete Sports Management and ESPN Events in collaboration with Discover Puerto Rico, marking the first time Puerto Rico will host a college football bowl game. The matchup is part of the NCAA-approved expanded bowl schedule for the upcoming season, which includes 41 games.
The Puerto Rico Bowl is scheduled to take place at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón and will be nationally televised on ESPN. This milestone marks the first time the destination will host a matchup featuring a Mid-American Conference team against an opponent from another NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conference. The official December game date and kickoff time will be announced at a later time.
“Puerto Rico is simply a magical place with extraordinary people,” said Lea Miller-Tooley, President of Complete Sports Management. “This game will carry historic significance and have an extraordinary impact on sports tourism and the international visibility of one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. We are grateful to Discover Puerto Rico for its partnership and look forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come.”
Discover Puerto Rico is the Island’s official Destination Marketing Organization. Puerto Rico continues to stand out as a premier sports destination, offering the Caribbean’s largest convention center, a strategic geographic location near key markets, and a strong athletic legacy.
“Puerto Rico offers world-class facilities for virtually every sport, along with the advantage of passport-free travel for U.S. visitors and a tropical climate that allows for year-round athletic competition,” said Jorge L. Pérez, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. “We are thrilled to welcome the Puerto Rico Bowl, a historic event that further reinforces Puerto Rico’s position as a world-class sports destination while delivering an electrifying experience for both teams and fans alike.”
Creating and executing innovative events is at the core of Complete Sports Management’s mission, supported by a distinguished portfolio of events and tours. Under Miller-Tooley’s leadership, the company launched the Bahamas Bowl in 2014, the first major college football bowl game held outside the United States and Canada featuring two U.S.-based teams since the Bacardi Bowl in 1937. CSM also created the men’s Battle 4 Atlantis tournament (2011), the women’s Battle 4 Atlantis tournament (2021), and the historic Oui-Play Paris women’s doubleheader, which annually opens the college basketball season.
“Through our longstanding partnership with ESPN Events and Complete Sports Management, the Mid-American Conference is excited for the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Puerto Rico Bowl,” said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference. “Competing in such a special location will make this event an unforgettable experience for student-athletes and fans.”
Additional details regarding the 2026 Puerto Rico Bowl will be announced later this summer. Follow Complete Sports Management on X/Twitter and Instagram for updates.