Cowboy Football Announces Future Schedule Change, UW to Open 2026 Season at Colorado State

Wyoming to face Colorado State in 2026 Season Opener on September 5

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Sept. 24, 2025) – The University of Wyoming announced a schedule change for the 2026 season on Wednesday morning. The Cowboys will now open the season with the “Border War” at Colorado State on September 5.

Wyoming was originally set to open the 2026 campaign by hosting North Texas, but that contest has been moved to September 9, 2034.

Also announced was a change to the future schedule with the Rams that runs from 2028 to 2036. The Pokes will now face the Rams in Laramie in back-to-back seasons in 2035 and 2036.

Dates for Contests from 2026 to 2036

Sept. 5, 2026 in Fort Collins

Sept. 23, 2028 in Fort Collins

Sept. 22, 2029 in Laramie

Sept. 7, 2030 in Fort Collins

Sept. 20, 2031 in Laramie

Sept. 25, 2032 in Fort Collins

Sept. 24, 2033 in Laramie

Sept. 23, 2034 in Fort Collins

Sept. 22, 2035 in Laramie

Sept. 6, 2036 in Laramie

The annual Wyoming-Colorado State "Border War" football game has evolved into one of the most bitterly contested rivalries in college football. The series began in 1899 and has been played in three different centuries. 

In 1968, the ROTC detachments of the respective schools initiated the "Bronze Boot", traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the contest each year.  The Boot was originally worn in Vietnam by Dan Romero, a CSU ROTC instructor. 

The "Bronze Boot" has become one of the most famous traveling trophies in college football.  This year's 2025 meeting will be the 58th time the trophy has been fought over. Since the end of World War II, Wyoming and CSU have played every season for 80 consecutive seasons from 1946 to this season. Over the past 79 consecutive meetings, dating back to the 1946 season, Wyoming leads 46-33-0. Colorado State leads the overall series 60-51-5.

2026 Non-Conference Schedule

Sept. 5                        at Colorado State

Sept. 12                      Northern Colorado

Sept. 19                      at Central Michigan

Nov. 28                       UCONN