+ The Territorial Cup SeriesArizona (11)Arizona State (6)
The Territorial Cup Series (also known as the Duel in the Desert Series) is the yearlong rivalry competition between the University of Arizona Wildcats (U of A) and the Arizona State University Sun Devils (ASU). The series began in 2009 with State Farm as the sponsor until 2012; the universities are seeking new sponsorship. Although without an official sponsor, media outletsASU clinches fourth consecutive Territorial Cup Series undisputed title and both universitiesWildcat Wednesday – Heeke Announced As New Athletic Director – University of Arizona AthleticsSun Devils Claim Fourth Straight Territorial Cup Series Title – Arizona State University Athletics continue to track and promote the series records.
The name comes from the Territorial Cup, the trophy that is awarded to the winner of the annual football game between the two schools. The 2023–24 series was the fifteenth and final year with both Universities as members of the Pac-12 Conference, as both schools moved to the Big 12 for the start of the 2024–25 academic year.
History At the beginning of the 2009–10 school year, the U of A and ASU decided to start a rivalry series, since they wanted to expand the football rivalry to all sports. Each academic year points would be awarded to the winning team or school at the conclusion of 18 rival sports competitions or series. The university with the most post would earn state bragging rights, as well as being awarded a new series trophy which would be held by the winning University until the completion of the following season.
From the start of 2009 until the end of the 2012 season the teams competed in 18 events that both Universities competed in at the Division 1 Level. Following the 2013 season the schools agreed to add two Men's & Women's events bringing the total to 20. The total increased to 21, with ASU adding Men's Tennis in 2018. The total increased again to 22, with U of A adding Women's triathlon in 2023.
Men's Events Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Indoor Track and Field Outdoor Track and Field Swimming and Diving Tennis
Women's Events Basketball Beach Volleyball Cross Country Golf Gymnastics Indoor Track and Field Outdoor Track and Field Soccer Softball Swimming and Diving Tennis Triathlon Volleyball
The first season, 2009–10 ended with Arizona winning in a 10.5–7.5 victory. In the second season, 2010–11 U of A would win its second in a row with an 11.5–6.5 victory. The third season & final season sponsored by State Farm, 2011–12, U of A would win the 3rd straight & by the largest margin in series history by a final of 12.5–5.5. In the 2012–13, Arizona would win its fourth consecutive Series title by a score of 9.5–8.5.
ASU would win their first title during the 2013–14 season with an 11.5–8.5 victory. During the 2014–15 season, ASU won their second series in a row with a final score of 12.5–7.5. ASU won their third straight title during the 2015–16 season again by the final tally of 12.5–7.5. With ASU earning points in: Men's Football, Cross Country, Golf, Baseball, Indoor Track & Field and Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Soccer, Volleyball(½), Cross Country, Basketball, Golf, Tennis and Indoor Track & Field In 2016–17, ASU tied the series record with a 4th win in a row by a margin of 10.5–9.5 with ASU earning points in: Men's Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Swimming & Diving, Golf and Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Volleyball(½), Basketball(½), Indoor Track & Field, Gymnastics, Beach Volleyball(½), Tennis and Outdoor Track & Field.
The following season 2017–18, U of A claimed its first victory since 2012 & 5th overall by a final score of 11–10. U of A would earn points in: Men's Cross Country, Basketball, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field & Baseball, Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Softball & Golf.
ASU would reclaim the series in 2018–19 & their fifth overall win with the series ending in a 10.5–10.5 tie but ASU finished higher in the Directors' Cup 22nd to 39th. ASU earned points in: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Tennis. Women's Cross Country, Basketball(½), Swimming & Diving, Gymnastics, Tennis, and Outdoor Track & Field.
The 2019–20 season ended in bizarre fashion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cut all collegiate athletics short in March 2021 but U of A would recapture the series with its 6th overall win by leading the series 7.5–4.5. U of A earned points in: Men's Cross Country, Basketball(½), Swimming & Diving and Indoor Track & Field. Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Indoor Track & Field. U of A would win their second series in a row & 7th overall during the 2020–21 season by a score of 10–9. U of A would earn points in: Men's Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball, Tennis & Golf. Women's Basketball(½), Indoor Track and Field, Cross Country, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball(½) & Soccer.
Arizona State won the series in the 2021–22 season, its 6th overall by a final score of 12.5–8.5. ASU would earn points in: Men's & Women's Cross Country, Football, Women's Basketball(½), Women's Gymnastics, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Beach Volleyball(½), Men's Indoor Track and Field, Women's Indoor Track and Field, Softball, Women's Tennis, Baseball(½), Men's Golf & Men's Outdoor Track and Field.
Arizona regained the series in the 2022–23 season, their 8th overall win by a final score of 11–10. Arizona would earn points in: Football, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Women's Volleyball (½), Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball (½), Softball, Women's Golf, Men's Tennis, Women's Indoor Track and Field, Men's & Women's Outdoor Track and Field.
Arizona would win for the second consecutive season and 9th overall by a final score of 12–10. Arizona would earn points in: football, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball, Women's Indoor Track & Field (½), Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Golf, Baseball (½), Men's & Women's Outdoor Track and Field.
Arizona won the overall season series for the third consecutive season and 10th overall by a final score of 14–8. Arizona earned points in: Soccer, Men's Cross Country, Women's Triathlon, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball, Softball, Women's Tennis, Men's Tennis, Baseball, Women's Golf and Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field.
Arizona won the overall season series for the fourth consecutive season and 11th overall by a final score of 13.5–8. Arizona earned points in: Soccer(½), Men's & Women's Cross Country, Women's Triathlon, Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Gymnastics, Men's & Women's Indoor Track and Field, Softball, Men's Tennis, Men's Golf and Men's & Women's Indoor Track and Field.
Point system
Points are awarded for all sports in which both schools maintain an intercollegiate team during the school year. Each sport is worth one point, which is awarded to the winner of the head-to-head match-up between the two teams. If the head-to-head match-up ends in a tie, each team receives half a point. In baseball and softball, all games, both conference and non-conference, count as one point combined. In swimming and diving, cross country, golf, and track and field, whichever team finishes higher in the standings at the Pac-12 championship receives one point. Should the two universities finish tied, the winner shall be decided by whichever school finishes higher in the Directors' Cup standings. If the teams finish in a tie in the Director Cup standings, the series will end in a tie.
Trophy The winner of the series receives a silver Territorial Cup Series trophy. One university must accumulate at least 11½ points or more to win the trophy outright. When the trophy is won, the logo of the winner is featured at the top of it. If U of A wins, a block “A” logo is placed on top of the trophy. If ASU wins the trophy, a “Sparky the Sun Devil” logo (not the ASU “pitchfork” logo) will be placed. If both schools finish tied at 11 points, the series ends in a tie and the school that finishes higher in Director's Cup Standings retains the trophy. The 2019–20 year was cut short in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which resulted in the schools only playing in 12 of the 21 events. The 2020–21 season ASU Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving teams both opted out of the season, resulting in 2 fewer points & did not count towards final standings. Also during the 2020–21 season because of Covid travel restrictions, U of A & ASU Women's Gymnastics competed twice, each meet for ½ point.
Yearly results Arizona Leads the All-time series 11–6 School year Winner Total pointsDirector Cup StandingsRef. 2009–10 Arizona 10½–7½ — 2010–11 Arizona 11½–6½ — 2011–12 Arizona 12½–5½ — 2012–13 Arizona 9½–8½ — 2013–14 Arizona State 11½–8½ — 2014–15 Arizona State 12½–7½ — 2015–16 Arizona State 12½–7½ — 2016–17 Arizona State 10½–9½ — 2017–18 Arizona 11–10 — 2018–19 Arizona State 10½–10½† U of A – 41st, ASU – 19th 2019–20 Arizona 7½–4½‡ — 2020–21 Arizona 10–9₳ — 2021–22 Arizona State12½–8½ — 2022–23 Arizona 11–10 — 2023–24 Arizona 12–10 — 2024–25 Arizona 14–8 —2025–26 Arizona 13½–8½—2026–27TBDTBD † ASU clinched victory due to higher finish in Directors' Cup standings. ‡ 2019–20 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Arizona was declared winner with the most points. ₳ 2020–21 season ASU Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving both opted out of the season, resulting in 2 fewer points.
Points by sport + Sport Arizona points Arizona State points Baseball 7 8 Men's Basketball 14 4 Women's Basketball 7 10 Beach Volleyball 6 6 Men's Cross Country 9 8 Women's Cross Country 11 6 Football 7 10 Men's Golf 4 12 Women's Golf 13 3 Gymnastics 7½ 9½ Men's Indoor Track & Field 4½ 8½ Women's Indoor Track & Field 9 8 Men's Outdoor Track & Field 9 7 Women's Outdoor Track & Field 9 7 Women's Soccer 10½ 6½ Softball 10 6 Men's Swimming & Diving 9 7 Women's Swimming & Diving 9 7 Men's Tennis 6 2 Women's Tennis 3 13 Women's Triathlon 2 1 Women's Volleyball 9½ 8½ All Sport Totals 176 158
Current standings 2026–27 schedule Arizona victories Arizona State victories