Victory Bell rivalry returns as Cincinnati and Miami prepare for 129th meeting
Cincinnati leads the historic series 61-60, with seven draws, ahead of the 19 September fixture at TQL Stadium.
The Cincinnati Bearcats and Miami University RedHawks are scheduled to contest the 129th Battle for the Victory Bell on 19 September 2026 at TQL Stadium.
The rivalry dates to 1888 and has produced 128 meetings. Cincinnati holds a narrow 61-60 advantage, with seven matches drawn, and reclaimed the Victory Bell with a 27-16 win in the 2024 meeting.
Miami ended Cincinnati’s 16-game winning streak in the series in 2023, winning 31-24 in overtime. The schools subsequently cancelled their home-and-home series, with both withdrawing from scheduled future fixtures.
The 2026 game was initially slated for Paycor Stadium. The move to TQL Stadium was reported in February and made official in June. The fixture is set to be the first American football game played at the venue on natural grass.
Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said experienced players would help new teammates understand the rivalry’s significance. The match had initially been intended as the last meeting, while a further TQL Stadium fixture could depend on the event’s economic performance.
Cincinnati also enters the game with an attributed performance marker from Pro Football Network, which graded its offensive line highest among Division I teams in Week 2 at 92.3.
