PULLMAN, Wash. (Aug. 22, 2025) – Football Weekends for the 2025 season will have a different look on the Washington State campus this season, including new tailgate areas, Friday afternoon socials to kickoff the weekend, and a new route for the Cougar Prowl.
 
"These changes are about continuing to enhance the overall gameday environment and providing a more engaging atmosphere for our fans," said WSU Director of Athletics Anne McCoy. "We're excited to introduce new options that build on the passion that makes Cougar Football Weekends in Pullman so special."
 
Gameday enhancements fans can expect to see include a new pregame tailgate location in the Compton Union Building (CUB) Senior Ballroom, the Cougar Prowl now beginning at the Taylor Sports Complex and winding through the RV1 parking lot across from the Cougar Pride statue, and Cougville on Rogers Field. This year fans will also have the opportunity to meet with Cougar coaches, student-athletes and alumni at the Cougar Collective Friday Happy Hour Social event prior to each home game from 3-6 p.m. Fans can also head downtown the Friday night before select home games for First Down Fridays, a street fair type event with family-friendly games, a beer garden, and vendor market. Fans will also notice that Hollingbery Fieldhouse is no longer a pregame tailgate location for the public as the pregame event has moved to the CUB Senior Ballroom.
More information on each of these events is below:
 
Kickoff At The CUB
New this year is the Kickoff At The CUB tailgate, located in the CUB Senior Ballroom. Beginning three hours prior to kickoff, all fans are welcome to enjoy the pregame atmosphere with featured food and drinks – including beer, wine, soda, and cocktails - available for purchase. With multiple screens throughout the room, fans will be able to enjoy college football games from all around the country. Kickoff At The CUB will also feature an appearance from the Cougar Marching Band to build the excitement. The CUB Senior Ballroom is located on the second floor of the Compton Union Building.
 
Hollingbery Fieldhouse
New this year, Hollingbery Fieldhouse will not be open to the public. The venue  will be used to host private events for corporate partners of Cougar Athletics. Fans looking for the pregame experience found at Hollingbery Fieldhouse in previous years can now enjoy that same festive atmosphere at Kickoff At The CUB in the Compton Union Building Senior Ballroom or at Cougville on Rogers Field.
 
Cougville
Cougville, located on Rogers Field, remains one of the premier pregame tailgate spots on campus. Cougville provides fans with entertainment options for the entire family, including a beer garden for adults and a kids zone with inflatable bounce houses for young Cougar fans to enjoy. Cougville will open two hours prior to kickoff, close once the game begins, then re-open for halftime. Fans must show their game tickets to enter Cougville pregame.
 
Cougar Prowl
Don't miss this gameday tradition as fans gather to cheer on the Cougars as they make their way into Gesa Field. New for the 2025 season, the Cougar Prowl will begin two hours and 40 minutes prior to kickoff and will now start at the Taylor Sports Complex. Head Coach Jimmy Rogers will lead the Cougars through the RV1 parking lot, past the Cougar Pride Statue, and into the Northeast entrance to Gesa Field. Fans of all ages are invited to join in this celebration of welcoming the Cougs to Gesa Field each home game.
 
Cougar Collective Friday Happy Hour Socials
Each Friday before Cougar home football games, the Cougar Collective hosts an afternoon happy hour social featuring Cougar coaches and student-athletes. For the first two home weekends (Idaho and San Diego State), the Friday happy hour socials will be held at the WSU Baseball Complex patio from 3-6 p.m. Locations for the remaining happy hour socials will be announced at a later date, also 3-6 p.m. Fans can enjoy hosted appetizers and one drink ticket for each guest over 21 years of age. Additionally, fans can bid on auction items including signed memorabilia and WSU/Cougar Collective swag! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with current and former Cougs.
 
First Down Fridays
Join WSU, the Downtown Pullman Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pullman for an unforgettable evening at the First Down Friday street fair! Held from 4- 7 p.m. before select home games, fans can enjoy music, local vendors, a beer garden, family friendly fun and games - all in beautiful newly renovated Downtown Pullman.
 
Season, mini-plan and single-game tickets are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 509-335-0626, or online at wsucougars.com.