DAVIS, Calif. – The Big Sky Conference announced today the official student-athlete attendee list for the 2026 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend, with UC Davis football's Samuel Gbatu, Jr., and Drew Cofield joining head coach Tim Plough in Spokane, Wash., for the three-day event set to run from July 25-27 at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino.
 
It's the second-straight season that Gbatu Jr., has made the trip up to Spokane and for Cofield it will be his first visit to the conference's marquee weekend that marks the official start of the season. On Monday, July 27, Plough, Gbatu Jr., and Cofield will all be featured live on ESPN+ with the exact times the three Aggies will be scheduled to be announced closer to the event.
 
The Aggies are coming off a second-straight season where they made a run into the NCAA Division I Playoff Quarterfinals and over the past three seasons have finished inside the top eight and have hosted three playoff games. UC Davis this season will play host to ESPN2 for the first time during the regular season in program history when Eastern Washington sets the stage for Homecoming on Oct. 3 with that game set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
 
UC Davis will also be featured on the ACCNX when they visit SMU on Sept. 12 and on Scripps Sports when Montana comes to town for a Big Sky showdown on Sept. 26. The Aggies get the season started on Aug. 29 at Portland State in a Big Sky match up and open UC Davis Health Stadium on Sept. 19 when Stetson makes the cross-country trip.
 
Media looking to attend the weekend can apply for credentials to attend and cover the 2026 Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend by following this link.
 
BUY 2026 SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets start as low as $100 for new alumni (2017-26 UC Davis graduates) and $140 for the general public. And fans can expect a large collection of perks that include priority access to postseason tickets, select away games and parking. All season ticket holders get a dedicated Aggie Ticket Representative that oversees their account, flexible payment plan options and access to exclusive season ticket holder events. Get your season tickets today by heading here, emailing the Aggie Ticket Office at aggietickets@ucdavis.edu or by calling the ticket office at (530) 752-2471.

BUY 2026 GROUP TICKETS
Football group ticket discounts start at just 10 tickets, and provide a great opportunity for company outings, family gatherings, and parties to enjoy Aggie football together. Create the birthday experience of a lifetime with a player high-five tunnel or enjoy a personal tailgate space prior to the game with your colleagues that's already set up and ready for you! Give the Aggie Ticket Office a call at 530-752-2471 and we can customize an unforgettable experience for your group! Fans can head to THIS LINK to purchase their group ticket packages.
 
BUY 2026 TAILGATE/PARKING SPOTS
Fans can head to THIS LINK or reach out to Jordan Kurtz at 530-304-1433 or at jkurtz@ucdavis.edu for more information to purchase their tailgating or parking spots for the upcoming season.
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS: UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked No. 1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as No. 1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.