Nebraska season-opener against Cincinnati to be branded the Kansas City Classic
According to Arrowhead Events, Nebraska’s season-opener against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City will be branded the Kansas City Classic.
Battle Sports, an Omaha-based athletic apparel and equipment company, will be the title sponsor of the game. The Chiefs are working to make the Kansas City Classic an annual event.
“We’re proud to welcome Battle Sports as the title sponsor of the first-ever Kansas City Classic,” said Matt Kenny, Executive Vice President of Arrowhead Operations and Events for the Kansas City Chiefs. “This game represents an exciting new opportunity for Arrowhead Events as we look to establish a marquee college football tradition right here in the heart of the Kingdom. We are passionate about delivering world-class events, and with Battle Sports joining us on this journey, we’re thrilled to invite fans to experience top-tier college football at one of the most iconic venues in sports.”
“At Battle we pride ourselves on being the most authentic brand in football,” said Chris Circo, Battle Sports CEO. “We strive to meet our customer at every point in their journey. From the time they pick up a football, to their last game and beyond, we enable them to express themselves with unique and innovative products. We live and breathe the sport ourselves, so it rings true to our customer. Helping bring college football to life with Arrowhead Events aligns perfectly with our mission.”
The Huskers and Bearcats will kick off Thursday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. central time with the game being televised by ESPN. Cincinnati will be the home team.
This game was originally scheduled for 2020 as part of a home-and-home series, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans and led the two programs to reschedule for the 2025 and 2033 seasons.
The game will mark the second all-time meeting between the teams. The first matchup came in 1906 in Lincoln, and the Huskers won 41-0.
“Since arriving at Nebraska, one constant message I have heard from our fans is they miss having road football games that are within driving distance,” Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen said in December, when the shift to Kansas City was announced. “This game offers an excellent opportunity for our great fan base to make a short trip to watch the Huskers open the season and enjoy Labor Day weekend in Kansas City.”
Nebraska last played at Arrowhead in the 2006 Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma and played a regular-season game against Oklahoma State in Kansas City in 1998.
The game in Kansas City marks Nebraska’s second neutral-site opener in four seasons. In 2022, the Huskers opened with Big Ten opponent Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland. It also marks the fourth time in the past five seasons Nebraska has opened the season either in Week Zero or on a Thursday night. Nebraska opened the 2023 season at Minnesota in a Thursday night contest.
Nebraska’s 2025 season schedule:
> Thursday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.: at Cincinnati (neutral site in Kansas City)
> Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m.: vs. Akron
> Saturday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m.: vs. Houston Christian
> Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m.: vs. Michigan
> Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
> Saturday, Oct. 4: vs Michigan State
> Saturday, Oct. 11: at Maryland
> Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.: at Minnesota
> Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Northwestern
> Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. USC
> Saturday, Nov. 8: at UCLA
> Saturday, Nov. 15: BYE
> Saturday, Nov. 22: at Penn State
> Friday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m.: vs Iowa
Bolded games are at home in Lincoln