TUCSON, Ariz. — The No. 17 Arizona Wildcats (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) will square off against the SMU Mustangs (8-4, 6-2 ACC) in the 46th annual Holiday Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2. The game will be played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego with a national television broadcast on FOX and kickoff slated for 6:00 p.m. MST.

Today's selection marks the Wildcats first bowl selection since 2023 and their third berth in the Holiday Bowl after previously participating in 2009 and 1998; both times Arizona shared the field with Nebraska. Overall, the Holiday Bowl will be Arizona's 23rd all-time bowl appearance, with the Wildcats holding a 10-11-1 mark in the previous 22.

Arizona and SMU have faced off twice previously, with prior games coming in 1938 and 1985. The series is even at 1-1 with SMU winning the 1938 matchup, 29-7, and Arizona winning the 1985 matchup, 28-6.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Holiday Bowl will be available to purchase through Ticketmaster here.

Bowl Central

For all Holiday Bowl updates, ticket information, event information and more, visit the Wildcats Holiday Bowl Central page to stay up to date.

Travel Package Information

SET Sports and Entertainment Travel will be selling a 2-night package at the official Arizona team hotel (no airfare or Holiday Bowl game tickets included). For more information or to purchase packages, please click here. The team hotel is the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. If you have questions regarding the hotel package, please contact support@wildcatclubexperiences.com.

Wildcat Nation Tailgate Information

The University of Arizona will be hosting an official pre-game tailgate for all fans before the Holiday Bowl on game day! For more information on the event and to purchase tickets please click here!