Mid-American Conference to participate in Puerto Rico Bowl
The new bowl game, set to be against an at-large opponent, continues the MAC's international legacy.
¡Bienvenidos a Bayamón, seguidores de MACtion!
ESPN Events, in coordination with Complete Sports Management and Discover Puerto Rico, announced on Friday afternoon the formation of the Puerto Rico Bowl, set to be played in Bayamón's Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in December 2026. The bowl's creation expands the postseason to 41 contests.
The Puerto Rico Bowl is set to feature a Mid-American Conference team against an at-large opponent.
"Through our long-standing bowl partnership with ESPN Events and Complete Sports Management, the Mid-American Conference is pleased to have an opportunity to participate in the inaugural Puerto Rico Bowl," Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said via press release. "Having the opportunity to compete in such a special place will make for a memorable event for the student-athletes and fans."
This is not the first time the MAC has been involved in bowl games outside the United States. The conference featured in the International Bowl from 2006-2009 in Toronto, Ontario, as well as the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau from 2014-2024.
The game's venue, Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel, first opened in 1973 as a baseball stadium, hosting Vaqueros de Bayamón until the team folded in 2023. The stadium now hosts Bayamón Futbol Club of Liga Puerto Rico, as well as the national men's and women's soccer teams in international play.
The new postseason contest is set to be managed by Complete Sports Management, which previously handled operations for the Bahamas Bowl.
"Puerto Rico offers world-class venues for virtually every sport, combined with seamless, passport-free travel for U.S. visitors and a tropical climate that makes year-round athletic competition possible," said Discover Puerto Rico Chief Executive Director Jorge L. Perez. "We are especially thrilled to welcome the Puerto Rico Bowl, a historic landmark event that underscores our Island's growing stature as a world-class sports destination that offers an electrifying new experience to both teams and fans alike."
More information regarding the game will be released later this summer.
