After several cancelations from both sides, only the 2026 matchup at Paycor Stadium remains on the schedule between the longtime rivals.
Tradition seems to be nothing more than a bygone conclusion and buzzword in today’s college football world. The lost rivalries resulting from the never-ending realignment cycle are countless. On Friday, this cabal gained another member.
In what was once unthinkable, Miami (OH) and Cincinnati mutually canceled every future meeting of the Victory Bell series between the two except this year’s matchup and the 2026 game at Paycor Stadium. The rivalry survived a whopping three conference moves. When Cincinnati finally joined a conference during Conference USA’s creation, the Victory Bell lived on. When the Bearcats moved to the BCS automatic qualifying Big East, they were not too “big-time” for the Victory Bell. The same appeared to be true when the Bearcats clawed their way back to a Power Conference and shifted to the Big 12. Until now.
Sure, the Victory Bell did not have national renown of Army-Navy or Ohio State-Michigan, but the Victory Bell represented everything good about college football and everything the game is abandoning. The two schools began playing one another in 1888 and have 127 meetings in total. It is tied for the oldest and it is the fourth most-played rivalry in college football, and now just two meetings remain. With conferences nationalizing, in-state games between conference members are at a premium and non-conference rivalries are becoming endangered. The longevity of Miami vs. Cincinnati was a welcome constant in a changing world.
The strangest aspect of this situation is it appears the Power Four school, Cincinnati, was not the one to cancel the series. Miami initially canceled its trips to Nippert Stadium in 2025 and 2028, and then Cincinnati responded by canceling its trips to Yager Stadium in 2027 and 2029. Usually, it is the other way around where the Power Four school decides they do not need their “lesser” rival.
BREAKING: Sources tell @BearcatJournal that the football series with Miami is coming to an end. I’m told Miami forced the issue by cancelling trips to Nippert Stadium in 2025 and 28. As a result Cincinnati decided to do the same with trips to Oxford in 2027 and 29.
— Chad Brendel (@ChadBrendel) July 26, 2024
Both athletic directors released statements regarding the rivalry.
Miami athletic director David Sayler stated, “Fans will undoubtedly notice no game with Cincinnati on the 2025 schedule, however we look forward to squaring off against them in 2026 on a neutral field. I am optimistic, based on some preliminary conversations, that we will continue to play into the future and look forward to working with the UC Administration to make that happen.”
Cincinnati athletic director stated, “We understand the importance of this historic rivalry to our fans and college football, and we are disappointed Miami University will not be coming to Nippert Stadium next season. However, we look forward to facing the RedHawks at Yager Stadium in the Battle for the Victory Bell this fall and at Paycor Stadium in 2026. We will continue to explore opportunities to play Miami in the future. We thank Miami for the many memorable moments over the years.”
One would like to think a solution could have been worked out. Oregon vs. Oregon State and Washington vs. Washington State will continue as early-season non-conference games amidst realignment. Miami vs. Cincinnati originally looked as if the Bearcats’ move to a nine-game conference schedule in the Big 12 was no obstacle to the tried and true rivalry, but now that appears false.
The move hurts fans from both schools immensely. They were perennial, geographically-convenient rivals located roughly 40 miles apart who shared hatred due to proximity. Now who will fill that hole of hatred left open by one another? Miami can look to Ohio and the Battle of the Bricks as their primary rival, but the game’s history and renown pales in comparison to the Victory Bell.
Cincinnati has a tougher time finding an archrival. The Bearcats have always a vagabond, spending their recent football existence traveling between Conference USA, the American Athletic Conference, and now the Big 12. The Big 12 is their ticket to the big-time, in a conference spanning from sea-to-shining sea from Orlando to Tucson, who is there for the Bearcats to hate? Perhaps the renewal with their old Big East foe West Virginia and their budding rivalry with UCF can fill some of the void left by the absence of Miami on the schedule.
The Big Ten and ACC are planting roots in California. A century-old conference dissolving. Nothing should be surprising to college football fans anymore. Now, the Victory Bell game is gone. After initial shock, anything is possible in this changing college football landscape. However, just because there is less surprise in events like this, does not mean it pains college football fans less.