The 116th Apple Cup between the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars will take place at Seattle's Lumen Field, marking the first time the game will be played at a neutral site and outside of a conference rivalry since 1961. This year's game, scheduled for Saturday, comes amid significant changes due to the Pac-12 conference's reduction to just two teams. Despite the early scheduling in September, the intense rivalry and fans' enthusiasm remain strong. Both teams have shown promising performances this season, and ticket sales have been split evenly between the schools, although overall sales have struggled. The game continues to hold significant cultural and financial importance for both universities, particularly WSU, which faces financial difficulties.