The Territorial Cup Series (also known as the Duel in the Desert Series) is the yearlong rivalry competition between the University of Arizona Wildcats (U of A) and the Arizona State University Sun Devils (ASU). The series began in 2009 with State Farm as the sponsor until 2012; the universities are seeking new sponsorship. Although without an official sponsor, media outlets and both universities continue to track and promote the series records. The name comes from the Territorial Cup, the trophy that is awarded to the winner of the annual football game between the two schools. The 2023–24 series will be the fifteenth and final year with both Universities as members of the Pac-12 Conference, as both will be moving to the Big 12 for the start of the 2024–25 academic year.

History

At the beginning of the 2009–10 school year, the U of A and ASU decided to start a rivalry series, since they wanted to expand the football rivalry to all sports. Each academic year points would be awarded to the winning team or school at the conclusion of 18 rival sports competitions or series. The university with the most post would earn state bragging rights, as well as being awarded a new series trophy which would be held by the winning University until the completion of the following season. From the start of 2009 until the end of the 2012 season the teams competed in 18 events that both Universities competed in at the Division 1 Level. Following the 2013 season the schools agreed to add two Men's & Women's events bringing the total to 20. The total increased to 21, with ASU adding Men's Tennis in 2018. The total increased again to 22, with U of A adding Women's triathlon in 2023. Men's Events Women's Events The first season, 2009–10 ended with Arizona winning in a 10.5–7.5 victory. In the second season, 2010–11 U of A would win its second in a row with an 11.5–6.5 victory. The third season & final season sponsored by State Farm, 2011–12, U of A would win the 3rd straight & by the largest margin in series history by a final of 12.5–5.5. In the 2012–13, Arizona would win its fourth consecutive Series title by a score of 9.5–8.5. ASU would win their first title during the 2013–14 season with an 11.5–8.5 victory. During the 2014–15 season, ASU won their second series in a row with a final score of 12.5–7.5. ASU won their third straight title during the 2015–16 season again by the final tally of 12.5–7.5. With ASU earning points in: Men's Football, Cross Country, Golf, Baseball, Indoor Track & Field and Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Soccer, Volleyball(½), Cross Country, Basketball, Golf, Tennis and Indoor Track & Field In 2016–17, ASU tied the series record with a 4th win in a row by a margin of 10.5–9.5 with ASU earning points in: Men's Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Swimming & Diving, Golf and Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Volleyball(½), Basketball(½), Indoor Track & Field, Gymnastics, Beach Volleyball(½), Tennis and Outdoor Track & Field. The following season 2017–18, U of A claimed its first victory since 2012 & 5th overall by a final score of 11–10. U of A would earn points in: Men's Cross Country, Basketball, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field & Baseball, Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Softball & Golf. ASU would reclaim the series in 2018–19 & their fifth overall win with the series ending in a 10.5–10.5 tie but ASU finished higher in the Directors' Cup 22nd to 39th. ASU earned points in: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Tennis. Women's Cross Country, Basketball(½), Swimming & Diving, Gymnastics, Tennis, and Outdoor Track & Field. The 2019–20 season ended in bizarre fashion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cut all collegiate athletics short in March 2021 but U of A would recapture the series with its 6th overall win by leading the series 7.5–4.5. U of A earned points in: Men's Cross Country, Basketball(½), Swimming & Diving and Indoor Track & Field. Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Indoor Track & Field. U of A would win their second series in a row & 7th overall during the 2020–21 season by a score of 10–9. U of A would earn points in: Men's Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball, Tennis & Golf. Women's Basketball(½), Indoor Track and Field, Cross Country, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball(½) & Soccer. Arizona State won the series in the 2021–22 season, its 6th overall by a final score of 12.5–8.5. ASU would earn points in: Men's & Women's Cross Country, Football, Women's Basketball(½), Women's Gymnastics, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Beach Volleyball(½), Men's Indoor Track and Field, Women's Indoor Track and Field, Softball, Women's Tennis, Baseball(½), Men's Golf & Men's Outdoor Track and Field. Arizona regained the series in the 2022–23 season, their 8th overall win by a final score of 11–10. Arizona would earn points in: Football, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Women's Volleyball (½), Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball (½), Softball, Women's Golf, Men's Tennis, Women's Indoor Track and Field, Men's & Women's Outdoor Track and Field. Arizona would win for the second consecutive season and 9th overall by a final score of 12–10. Arizona would earn points in: football, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball, Women's Indoor Track & Field (½), Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Golf, Baseball (½), Men's & Women's Outdoor Track and Field.

Point system

Points are awarded for all sports in which both schools maintain an intercollegiate team during the school year. Each sport is worth one point, which is awarded to the winner of the head-to-head match-up between the two teams. If the head-to-head match-up ends in a tie, each team receives half a point. In baseball and softball, all games, both conference and non-conference, count as one point combined. In swimming and diving, cross country, golf, and track and field, whichever team finishes higher in the standings at the Pac-12 championship receives one point. Should the two universities finish tied, the winner shall be decided by whichever school finishes higher in the Directors' Cup standings. If the teams finish in a tie in the Director Cup standings, the series will end in a tie.

Trophy

The winner of the series receives a silver Territorial Cup Series trophy. One university must accumulate at least 11½ points or more to win the trophy outright. When the trophy is won, the logo of the winner is featured at the top of it. If U of A wins, a block “A” logo is placed on top of the trophy. If ASU wins the trophy, a “Sparky the Sun Devil” logo (not the ASU “pitchfork” logo) will be placed. If both schools finish tied at 11 points, the series ends in a tie and the school that finishes higher in Director's Cup Standings retains the trophy. The 2019–20 year was cut short in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which resulted in the schools only playing in 12 of the 21 events. The 2020–21 season ASU Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving teams both opted out of the season, resulting in 2 fewer points & did not count towards final standings. Also during the 2020–21 season because of Covid travel restrictions, U of A & ASU Women's Gymnastics competed twice, each meet for ½ point.

Yearly results

Arizona Leads the All-time series 9–6

Points by Sport

Current standings

2024—25 schedule

Previous standings

2023—24 schedule

2022—23 schedule

2021—22 schedule

2020—21 schedule

2019—20 schedule

2018—19 schedule

2017—18 schedule

2016—17 schedule

2015—16 schedule

2014—15 schedule

2013—14 schedule

2012—13 schedule

2011—12 schedule

2010—11 schedule

2009—10 schedule

Future schedules

2025—26 schedule