UCF unveils 2025 Space Game uniforms, Mission IX set for Nov. 7 vs. Houston
The ninth edition of UCF’s annual Space Game is set, and so are the threads.
UCF officially unveiled its 2025 Space Game uniforms on Tuesday, showcasing another bold, space-themed look that continues to build on one of college football’s most distinctive traditions.
The 2025 Space Game—Mission IX—will take place Friday, Nov. 7, as the Knights host Big 12 rival Houston under the lights at the Bounce House. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. with national television coverage on FS1.
UCF is undefeated in Space Games, entering this year’s matchup with a perfect 8-0 all-time record in the theme game. The Knights have outscored opponents by a combined 415-159 margin in those contests, which pay tribute to UCF’s ties to the space industry.
This year’s Mission IX theme honors the UCF HyperSpace Center, a joint initiative with the United States Air Force focused on hypersonic research, pushing the boundaries of travel at speeds up to 13,000 miles per hour. The center, which officially opened in October 2024, supports national defense capabilities and paves the way for future advancements in space exploration.
As part of the tradition, UCF will auction off game-worn uniforms following the game. Bidding opens later this month and will conclude a couple days after the Houston game.
Click here to check out UCFKnights.com for the full details on the uniform reveal.
And click here for Space Game fan merchandise, including replica jerseys, available via Fanatics.
It’s fitting this year’s Space Game will be against Houston, a school that also has ties to NASA.
In 2023, prior to the regular season finale between the two schools, former UH coach Dana Holgorsen took issue with UCF’s tradition, believing the Cougars have a stronger claim to space.
“(Oklahoma State) goes in and Central Florida has got those unis,” Holgorsen said. “I don’t know what the heck they are, but they are some blue unis… Some Space City thing. I thought we were Space City… (The launch pad) is like 45 minutes away (from Orlando). It’s not close. They don’t say, ‘Orlando, we got a problem.'”
UCF beat Houston 27-13, and Holgersen was fired afterward. The Cougars are now coached by Willie Fritz.
At Big 12 Media Day earlier this summer, UCF AD Terry Mohajir told Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle he was “open” to a possible “Space Cup” trophy between the two schools, but nothing has materialized, at least not yet.
“We’re open to it 100%,” Mohajir said. “(Former UH AD) Chris Pezman and I talked. I’m sure (new UH AD) Eddie (Nunez) and I will talk about it as well sometime. It will be fun.”
However, UCF and Houston don’t meet annually. The Knights are slated to visit Houston in 2026, but the teams are not scheduled to face each other in 2027, the latest season for which the Big 12 has released schedules.
Below is a look at UCF’s Space Game history:
- Oct. 14, 2017 – 63-21 W vs. ECU
- Nov. 1, 2018 – 52-40 W vs. Temple
- Nov. 2, 2019 – 44-29 W vs. Houston
- Oct. 24, 2020 – 51-34 W vs. Tulane
- Oct. 22, 2021 – 24-7 W vs. Memphis
- Oct. 13, 2022 – 70-13 W vs. Temple
- Nov. 11, 2023 – 45-3 W vs. No. 15 Oklahoma State
- Nov. 2, 2024 – 56-12 W vs. Arizona
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