History of Big Ten Football Championship Game in Timeline
The Big Ten Football Championship Game is an annual college football game held to determine the Big Ten Conference champion. The top two teams in the conference standings compete in the game, typically held on the first Saturday of December at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The game has been played since 2011 and is scheduled to continue at Lucas Oil Stadium through 2028. Discover Financial has been the presenting sponsor since 2017.
1990: Penn State Joins the Big Ten
In 1990, Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference, increasing the membership to 11 schools. However, the conference still fell short of the NCAA's 12-team, two-division requirement for holding a conference championship game.
December 2009: Big Ten Explores Expansion
In December 2009, Commissioner Delany announced that the Big Ten Conference would explore the potential addition of new member institutions, a move that would eventually lead to the conference's first championship game.
June 11, 2010: Nebraska Joins the Big Ten
Nebraska's application to join the Big Ten Conference was unanimously approved by the existing 11 member schools on June 11, 2010.
August 5, 2010: Big Ten Announces Lucas Oil Stadium as Potential Championship Game Site
On August 5, 2010, Big Ten Commissioner James Delany announced Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as the potential site for the first Big Ten Championship Game, pending negotiations.
September 1, 2010: Big Ten Reveals Divisional Alignment
On September 1, 2010, Commissioner Delany revealed the divisional alignment for the Big Ten Conference, a crucial step towards establishing the conference championship game.
November 17, 2010: Fox Sports Secures Broadcasting Rights
On November 17, 2010, the Big Ten Conference announced a media agreement with Fox Sports to broadcast the Big Ten Football Championship Games from 2011 to 2016. The six-year deal, estimated at $20–$25 million annually, made it one of the most lucrative conference championship games in college football.
July 1, 2011: Nebraska Officially Joins the Big Ten
Nebraska officially became a member of the Big Ten Conference on July 1, 2011, marking the conference's first expansion in 20 years.
August 4, 2011: Big Ten Announces Nine-Game Conference Schedule
On August 4, 2011, the Big Ten Conference announced a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2017, enabling schools to play four crossover opponents.
September 1, 2011: Big Ten Conference Announces Divisional Tiebreaker Procedures
On September 1, 2011, the Big Ten Conference announced the procedures for breaking ties within divisions to determine the representatives for the championship game. The standings are based on the overall conference record, excluding teams ineligible due to sanctions. In the case of a tie, the head-to-head results between the tied teams will be used as the tiebreaker. Notably, the Big Ten does not have a policy for ties due to inclement weather, unlike the Southeastern Conference.
2011: Big Ten Expands, Paving the Way for Championship Game
Prior to 2011, the Big Ten Conference determined its champion through regular season play. With only 11 members, the conference couldn't hold a championship game because the NCAA required 12 teams with two divisions.
2011: First Championship Game to Be Held at Lucas Oil Stadium
The 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game was confirmed to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and aired during prime time on Fox.
2011: First Big Ten Championship Game Planned
The Big Ten Conference planned to hold its inaugural championship game in 2011 after expanding to 12 teams, meeting the NCAA requirement for a championship game.
2011: Inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game
The first Big Ten Football Championship Game was held in 2011 after the conference expanded to 12 teams, allowing it to meet NCAA requirements for a championship game. Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis hosted the game.
November 2012: Maryland and Rutgers Set to Join Big Ten
In November 2012, the Big Ten Conference announced that Maryland and Rutgers would become members in 2014, expanding the conference to 14 schools.
2012: Future Championship Game Locations to Be Determined
The Big Ten Conference planned to evaluate potential host cities for the Big Ten Football Championship Game in 2012 and beyond, considering options like Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Green Bay, and Cleveland.
June 5, 2014: Lucas Oil Stadium to Host Through 2021
On June 5, 2014, the Big Ten Conference announced that Lucas Oil Stadium would continue to host the Big Ten Football Championship Game through the 2021 season.
2014: Maryland and Rutgers Join the Big Ten
Maryland and Rutgers officially joined the Big Ten Conference in 2014, increasing the membership to 14 schools. This expansion led to the dissolution of the "Leaders" and "Legends" divisions in favor of a geographic East-West alignment.
2014: Big Ten Adopts Geographic Divisions and Nine-Game Schedule
After Maryland and Rutgers joined in 2014, the Big Ten replaced its "Leaders" and "Legends" divisions with geographic divisions: East and West. The conference also introduced a nine-game schedule.
2016: Fox Sports to Broadcast Games Through 2016
Fox Sports secured a six-year agreement to broadcast the Big Ten Football Championship Games until 2016.
2016: Nine-Game Conference Schedule Starts
The Big Ten Conference began its nine-game conference schedule in 2016, allowing teams to play more games within the conference.
2017: Discover Financial Becomes Title Sponsor
In 2017, Discover Financial became the title sponsor of the Big Ten Football Championship Game, and the game's official title became the Big Ten College Football Championship Game Presented by Discover.
2017: Nine-Game Conference Schedule Implemented
The Big Ten Conference implemented a nine-game conference schedule in 2017, allowing for more crossover games between teams in different divisions.
December 2020: Big Ten Waives Six-Game Requirement for Championship Game
In December 2020, the Big Ten Conference waived the minimum six-game requirement for teams to be eligible for the championship game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Ohio State to participate despite playing a shortened season.
2020: Attendance Capped for 2020 Game
Attendance at the 2020 Big Ten Football Championship Game was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Big Ten Championship Game Impacted by COVID-19
In 2020, the Big Ten Football Championship Game was played on the third Saturday of December instead of the first Saturday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Lucas Oil Stadium's Hosting Agreement Extended
The Big Ten Conference extended its agreement with Lucas Oil Stadium to host the Big Ten Football Championship Game through the 2021 season.
2022: UCLA and USC Announced as Future Big Ten Members
In 2022, the Big Ten Conference announced the addition of UCLA and USC, with their membership becoming effective in 2024.
2023: Wisconsin and Ohio State Lead Appearances and Wins
As of the 2023 Big Ten Football Championship Game, Wisconsin and Ohio State have made the most appearances with six each. Ohio State holds the most championship wins with five.
2023: Division Winners Compete in Championship Game
Until the 2023 Big Ten Football Championship Game, the participants were the top-ranked teams from each of the conference's two divisions.
2024: Top Two Teams to Compete in Championship Game
Starting in 2024, the Big Ten Football Championship Game will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings, regardless of division.
2024: Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington to Join Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference is set to expand further in 2024 with the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington, bringing the total membership to 18 schools. This expansion led to the elimination of divisions.
2024: Big Ten Eliminates Divisions
With the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington in 2024, the Big Ten Conference decided to eliminate divisions entirely.
2028: Lucas Oil Stadium to Host Through 2028
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis has been the host of the Big Ten Football Championship Game since its inception in 2011 and will continue to host through 2028.