There’s no place like the Glass Bowl on a fall Saturday in Toledo. With MAC title ambitions and fan energy at an all-time high, the 2025 Toledo Rockets season promises more than elite football—it guarantees one of college sports’ most unforgettable gameday experiences.
Written by: Eric Strayer
8/20/2025
Building on a stellar 2024 that included wins over two Power Five programs, Toledo returns 52 letter winners, including four All-MAC selections, while adding a talented recruiting class and impactful veteran transfers. Under Jason Candle, the Rockets are primed for another deep run in the MAC Championship hunt.
This season, the University of Toledo Athletic Department is unveiling exciting new gameday promotions designed to bring fans closer to the action and celebrate the traditions that make Toledo Football truly special. From VIP Rocket Walk access to sideline photos with Rocky and Rocksy, the all-new Gameday Upgrades offer unforgettable ways to experience the Glass Bowl. Combined with iconic traditions like the booming Toledo Cannon, the thunderous Touchdown Tank, family-friendly zones, and lively beer gardens, the Glass Bowl isn’t just where the Rockets play—it’s where lasting memories are made.
2025 Home Games at the Glass Bowl
Kick things off with the season opener on Saturday, September 6 at the Biggest Party in Toledo. The Rockets will face off against Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. Get your tickets now at UTRockets.com
- Sep 13 (Sat) | Morgan State | 3:30 PM | Gold Out & Senior Day
- Sep 27 (Sat) | Akron | 3:30 PM | Homecoming
- Oct 18 (Sat) | Kent State | TBA | Hall of Fame Weekend
- Nov 5 (Wed) | Northern Illinois | TBA | Salute to Service
- Nov 22 (Sat) | Ball State | TBA | Fan Appreciation Day
Gameday Traditions That Set the Glass Bowl Apart
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, Toledo’s home gameday atmosphere is unmatched in the MAC:
- The Cannon: A Civil War-era replica fires at kickoff, halftime, and every Rocket touchdown.
- The Touchdown Dunk Tank: Fans take the plunge in celebration after big Rocket plays.
- Lot 10 Beer Garden & Live Music: Craft brews and tunes create the perfect pregame vibe.
- Brown Honda Kids Zone (now at the Varsity Tennis Courts): Inflatable fun for the youngest Rocket fans.
- Rocket Walk: Greet the team as they arrive and fuel their fire before kickoff.
- Big Screen Tailgate TV in Lot 10: Never miss a snap while soaking in the tailgate scene.
Exclusive Gameday Upgrades
New for 2025, fans can upgrade their gameday like never before with limited-availability Gameday Upgrade, available online starting five days before each home game at utrockets.com/gamedayupgrades.
- Custom Video Board Messages – Celebrate a big moment on the big screen.
- Rocket Walk VIP – Walk with the team and be part of the tradition.
- Pregame Sideline Access – Feel the field-level energy up close.
- Sideline Proposal – Pop the question in unforgettable fashion.
- Mascot Sideline Photos – Snap a picture with Rocky & Rocksy.
- Marching Band VIP – Lead the band as guest drum major.
- Kids Club Spotlight – One young fan becomes the star each game.
Where History and Gameday Magic Collide
The Glass Bowl was built in 1936 by a 300-man crew with only picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows, carved out of a natural ravine as a New Deal-era project. First known as University Stadium, it was reborn in 1946 after a wartime pause, rebuilt with glass blocks and an illuminated scoreboard honoring Toledo’s glass industry—and renamed the Glass Bowl. That same year, night football games began, sparking a tradition that still excites Rocket fans today.
From its original 8,000 seats, the stadium has grown into a modern 26,000-seat facility. Milestones include Astroturf in 1974, a major renovation in 1990, the Larimer Athletic Complex, a giant video scoreboard in 1999, and Field Turf in 2008. Yet its original stone towers, outer wall, and the roar of Rocket fans keep its soul intact.
With more than 75% home wins since the 1990 renovation, the Glass Bowl remains one of college football’s toughest home fields. The 2025 season is set to add another unforgettable chapter to this storied legacy.
Whether you’re coming for the game, the traditions, or the atmosphere, there’s nothing like Rocket Football at the Glass Bowl. Come early. Stay loud. And let’s make 2025 a season to remember.
