The Lehigh-Lafayette game is the most-played college football rivalry in the nation. This year marks the 160th meeting of the two teams.
In a break from past tradition, Lehigh will host the game for the second year in a row, as the schedule was altered to allow Lafayette to host the game for their bicentennial in 2026.
The first game was held at Lafayette College in 1884, and has been played nearly every year since.
The teams played twice a year until 1902, but played three in 1891. Lehigh won all three games that year.
To commemorate the 150th playing of The Rivalry, the 2014 game was played at Yankee Stadium to a sold-out crowd.
Rich Haas, the assistant athletic director of sales and marketing for Lehigh Sports, said the game brings people together and builds community ties.
“I think the Lehigh-Lafayette football rivalry is the single biggest event that brings the Lehigh University community together all in one place,” Haas said.
He also said the extensive history of The Rivalry makes it an exciting event each year and is one of the things that makes Lehigh so unique.
Because this is the second year in a row the game will be played at home, Hass said there is additional excitement for this game carrying over from having last year’s game on Lehigh’s campus.
“We're excited about this this November, and see what kind of momentum we can then take to Easton, you know, for the next two years,” Haas said.
Lehigh won’t host the game at home until 2027, which may have contributed to tickets selling out for this year’s game.
The 2024 rivalry game will be held at Goodman Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23 at noon.