History of Apple Cup in Timeline

The Apple Cup is a college football rivalry game between the University of Washington Huskies and Washington State University Cougars, the two largest universities in Washington state. Both teams were part of the Pac-12 Conference until 2024. The game is a significant event in Washington, holding considerable tradition and local importance.

1900: Inaugural Apple Cup Game

In 1900, the first Apple Cup game was played.

1900: First Apple Cup Game Result

The first Apple Cup game in 1900 resulted in a 5-5 tie.

1910: WSU Home Game at Recreation Park

In 1910, the WSU home game was played at Recreation Park in Spokane.

1934: Governor's Trophy Introduction

In 1934, the teams began playing for the Governor's Trophy, a bronze shield donated by Governor Clarence D. Martin.

1935: Apple Cup in Pullman

From 1935 to 1948, the Apple Cup games in eastern Washington were held in Pullman during mid-October.

1939: Winners Etched on Governor's Trophy

Winners from the years 1934-1939 were etched on the Governor's Trophy.

1943: Apple Cup Hiatus

In 1943, the Apple Cup was not played, marking the start of a two-year hiatus.

1944: Apple Cup Hiatus

In 1944, the Apple Cup was not played, continuing a two-year hiatus.

1945: Two Games Played in 1945

After a two-year hiatus, two Apple Cup games were played in 1945.

1946: Apple Cup Location Rotation

Since 1946, the Apple Cup game has been held in Seattle during odd years and at Washington State during even years.

1946: Last Known Awarding of the Governor's Trophy

The Governor's Trophy was awarded until at least 1946.

1948: Apple Cup at Rogers Field

In 1948, Washington State hosted the Apple Cup at Rogers Field.

1950: WSU Home Games Played in Spokane

From 1950, the WSU home games in the Apple Cup series were played in Spokane at Joe Albi Stadium.

1954: WSU Home Games Played in Spokane

From 1950 through 1954, the WSU home games in the Apple Cup series were played in Spokane at Joe Albi Stadium.

1954: Apple Cup at Rogers Field

In 1954, Washington State hosted the Apple Cup at Rogers Field.

1958: Cougars Win in Spokane

In 1958, the Cougars won against the Huskies in Spokane.

1959: WSU Name

Prior to 1959, WSU was WSC.

1962: Memorial Stadium Renamed

In 1962, Memorial Stadium was renamed Joe Albi Stadium.

1963: Inauguration of the Apple Cup Trophy

In 1963, the Apple Cup Trophy was first awarded to the winner of the game, presented by the state's governor.

1963: Big Apple Trophy Donation

In 1963, the Washington Apple Commission donated the Big Apple Trophy to the competition, which was referred to as the Apple Cup.

1968: Cougars Win in Spokane

In 1968, the Cougars won against the Huskies in Spokane.

1972: Cougars Win in Spokane

In 1972, the Cougars won against the Huskies in Spokane.

1980: WSU Home Games Played in Spokane

Through 1980, the WSU home games in the Apple Cup series were played in Spokane at Joe Albi Stadium.

1982: Apple Cup at Martin Stadium

Since 1982, Washington State has hosted the Apple Cup at Martin Stadium in Pullman.

1989: Apple as State Fruit

In 1989, the apple was recognized as Washington's state fruit during the state's centennial celebration.

1996: Overtime Introduced and UW Victory

In 1996, overtime was introduced and used for the first time in the Apple Cup in Pullman, resulting in a UW victory.

2002: UW Overtime Victory

In 2002, UW had another overtime victory in the Apple Cup, played in Pullman.

2006: NCAA Regular Season Extension

In 2006, the NCAA extended the regular season to twelve games, leading to a later date for the Apple Cup.

2006: Movement to Change Apple Cup Date

In 2006, there was a movement to change the date of the Apple Cup game due to the lengthening of the college football regular season.

2007: Apple Cup Played After Thanksgiving

The 2007 Apple Cup game was played on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the first time.

2008: WSU Overtime Victory

In 2008, WSU won the Apple Cup in overtime, played in Pullman.

2008: Apple Cup Returns to Saturday Before Thanksgiving

In 2008, the Apple Cup game was returned to the Saturday before the Thanksgiving holiday.

2008: "Crapple Cup"

The 2008 Apple Cup game won by the Cougars in Pullman was jokingly called the "Crapple Cup" due to the poor records of both teams.

2009: Apple Cup Returns to Saturday After Thanksgiving

In 2009, the Apple Cup returned to the Saturday after Thanksgiving and was played in Seattle.

2011: Apple Cup Date

From 2011, the Apple Cup was most commonly held on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

2011: Apple Cup at CenturyLink Field

The 2011 Apple Cup game in Seattle was moved to CenturyLink Field to allow for the renovation of Husky Stadium.

2012: WSU Overtime Victory

In 2012, WSU had another overtime victory in the Apple Cup, played in Pullman.

2020: 2020 Apple Cup Declared No Contest

The 2020 Apple Cup game scheduled in Pullman was declared No Contest by the league due to Washington State not having the minimum number of scholarship players available due to positive COVID-19 cases.