Husker Games set for April 26, what you need to know

The football spring game as we know it is no more. Instead, Nebraska introduced The Husker Games, set to take place Saturday, April 26.

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

The Hunger Games¹ The Husker Games are here.

Yes, what we’ve known for some time has become official: no more spring games for Nebraska. Instead, Nebraska introduced The Husker Games, set to take place Saturday, April 26.

It’s a full day of activities, including football, volleyball,and soccer events, as well as tours, a food truck festival and an equipment sale. And yes, the event represents a shift from the traditional Nebraska football spring game.

We knew this was coming though. Head coach Matt Rhule said as much — multiple times, in fact — and so did athletic director Troy Dannen.

“To put a game on TV, while it’s fun, while it’s something that as a player at Penn State that I loved, I’m giving away a lot of information that’s proprietary,” Rhule told  Josh Pate as part of the 2025 Pate State Speaker Series. “And new coordinators? I don’t know why I would do it. 

“On the flip side, we’re paying these guys now. It’s a violent game and we have to practice and we have to be physical but there’s something additional about a spring game, so we’ve gone back and forth on it. We’ll do something to celebrate the team. We’ll do something to celebrate the university, something to bring people together but it will not be what it has been.”

And so it’s not. Here is what it is now:

A new look for spring football

Nebraska’s spring football scrimmage has its history. It dates back to the 1920s, but had been played regularly since the 1950 season. The 2025 season changes that.

The Huskers will instead compete in a 7-on-7 tournament, skills competitions and other fan engagement activities. In addition to showcasing the 2025 team, former Nebraska players will participate in skill-based competitions. This change reflects a growing trend among major programs, with Texas, USC, and Ohio State also moving away from traditional spring games.

• Gates open: 12:30 p.m.

• Women’s flag football game: 1 p.m. (Midland University vs. Nebraska intramural all-star team)²

• Husker football events: 2 p.m.

• Tickets: $10 for adults, $1 for youth (8th grade and younger)

• Parking: $15 general admission lots (purchase in advance)

Nebraska volleyball opens spring play against Kansas

As part of the Husker Games, Nebraska Volleyball will face Kansas at 6:30 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. This will be Dani Busboom Kelly’s first match as Nebraska’s head coach.

The match will also feature Kansas’s first-year head coach, Matt Ulmer, who spent eight seasons at Oregon before joining the Jayhawks. Nebraska is coming off a 33-3 season and an NCAA Semifinals appearance, while Kansas posted a 25-5 record and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

• Tickets: $10 UNL students, $20 Standing Room, $30 C Level, $45 B Level, $60 courtside/VIP

• Doors open: 5 p.m.

• Parking: $15 general admission lots (purchase in advance)

Nebraska volleyball is expected to play another spring match on May 3 in Ord, Nebraska, continuing its tradition of playing in smaller Nebraska towns. Previous matches have been held in Kearney (2024) and Central City (2023).

Husker soccer hosts Wyoming

The Nebraska soccer team will face Wyoming at Hibner Stadium at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Husker Games. This match will provide fans with an opportunity to see the team’s progress as they prepare for the 2025 season.

• Admission: Free

• Parking: Free

Additional Husker Games events

Beyond the games, fans can participate in several other experiences throughout the day:

• Osborne Legacy Complex Tours | 8 a.m. - Noon | $50 per person

  • Includes a look at the locker room, weight room, training facilities and Tunnel Walk experience

• Husker Food Truck Festival | 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Outside East Stadium

• Husker Equipment Sale | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Hawks Championship Center

  • Discounted jerseys, helmets, apparel, and other collectibles

Ticket information

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 11, with a tiered release for Huskers Athletic Fund members before opening to the general public at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Huskers.com/tickets.

So, here we are now.

The shift away from a full-contact spring game aligns with broader changes in college football. Concerns over roster management, injuries and transfer portal scouting have led programs to rethink their approach. This new format allows Nebraska to showcase its athletes while protecting its roster ahead of the fall season.

This year’s Husker Games format is expected to serve as a test run for the future, potentially setting the tone for how Nebraska approaches spring football in the coming years. The event also serves as an opportunity to celebrate Nebraska Athletics as a whole, integrating multiple sports into a single-day experience for fans.

It’s a change, yes, and one we saw coming. It’s still understandable if that takes some time to adjust to, but we’ll see how people feel come April 26.

1. IT’S ALL I CAN THINK, I’M SORRY.

2. Not enough people are talking about this part right here. I understand I’m not talking about it enough yet either, but I will be. This is cool.