What’s new at TQL Stadium? College football
The home of FC Cincinnati swaps soccer for the gridiron in Battle for the Victory BellKey points:
- TQL Stadium hosted its first college football game Sept. 19.
- The 129th Battle for the Victory Bell brought the historic rivalry back to Cincinnati’s West End for the first time in 116 years.
- The 26,000-seat home of FC Cincinnati has hosted professional soccer, concerts, community events and more.
By Shannon Russell
Since opening its doors in 2021, TQL Stadium has hosted professional soccer matches, concerts and community events.
Add college football to its resume.
The University of Cincinnati and Miami University football teams played the 129th edition of the Battle for the Victory Bell at TQL Stadium Sept. 19, marking the first time the rivalry was played at a soccer-specific stadium.
The idea of bringing the rivalry to TQL Stadium had been in the works for months. FC Cincinnati president and Co-CEO Jeff Berding highlighted the significance of the matchup during a summer press conference announcing the event.
“TQL Stadium was designed to host world-class events, and we’re proud to add this historic moment to that legacy,” Berding said.
When the teams finally took the field, the home of Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati was the backdrop for a thriller before a crowd of 19,888. The Bearcats rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit to claim a 35-31 victory and retain possession of the coveted traveling trophy awarded to the victors.
More: Five years in: TQL Stadium’s lasting impact on Cincinnati
A historic rivalry, a new setting
Cincinnati and Miami are separated by about 35 miles and have a rivalry dating to 1888, when they played the first college football game in Ohio. The series is the oldest FBS non-conference rivalry in college football.
Playing at TQL Stadium added another layer to the historic matchup. Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield and RedHawks coach Chuck Martin joined Berding in the summer press conference and praised the opportunity to be part of something special.
"These kids play a lot of football games, and in life, it's so hard to do something unique, it really is. Especially in sports,” Martin said. “Everything's been done, and having the opportunity to play a football game at a soccer venue, and a soccer venue as nice as this soccer venue, I've tried to explain it to our kids, like, how cool is it?”
The uniqueness was evident from kickoff. Miami sent a jolt through the crowd as freshman Scoop Smith returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, launching a wild start to the teams’ first meeting in Cincinnati’s West End in 116 years.
More: Five ways TQL Stadium has transformed the Cincinnati experience
A comeback to remember
Berding said FC Cincinnati has been interested in hosting football at TQL Stadium for some time and couldn’t think of a better start than the UC-Miami rivalry.
“We wanted something big to kick off the stadium and it doesn’t get any better than the Battle for the Victory Bell,” Berding said.
FC Cincinnati’s grounds crew researched how other stadiums converted from soccer to football and back in short order, then went to work making TQL Stadium football-ready. The field was updated with new 100-yard markings, end zones and temporary goalposts. Sidelines were reconfigured to accommodate benches, coaches, officials, TV operations and chain crews.
While the field was marked for football, the intimate viewing experience remained. Some fans were just 15 feet from the action.
Miami controlled the first half, but the momentum shifted to UC after halftime. Led by Cole Tabb’s six carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns, the Bearcats outscored their rival 28-3 in the second half to complete the comeback.
Celebratory UC players hoisted the Victory Bell after the clock expired, capping a memorable outing for the rivalry and the venue.
“What a game. It's fitting for this. I mean, this game has been around here a long time, and for us to go out and to win it like this in this venue – I thought it was a great atmosphere out there in TQL Stadium,” Satterfield said. “I thought our Cincinnati fans showed up and were loud. Our students and our fans. It was a cool atmosphere for a college football game and I thought it was really neat to be able to come downtown right here and play.”
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