Cal welcomed UCLA back to Berkeley on Saturday as generations of Golden Bears supporters filled Memorial Stadium for a home opener billed as the start of a new era for California’s football programme.
The meeting marked the renewal of a rivalry that had been paused since November 25, 2023, when the two former conference rivals last faced one another. It was the 95th contest between the Golden Bears and the Bruins.
The occasion also marked the beginning of Tosh Lupoi’s tenure as Cal’s head coach. Lupoi, a former California player and assistant coach, was appointed in December 2025 and returned to lead the programme at his alma mater.
UCLA arrived in Berkeley under new head coach Bob Chesney, making the fixture the first game of a fresh chapter for both teams after their move into different conferences. The Bruins had not played at Memorial Stadium since November 2022.
Cal had opened up additional areas of the stadium for the fixture, allowing thousands more supporters to attend as anticipation built around the programme’s new direction. The game also revived the Joe Roth Memorial Game, honouring the former Golden Bears quarterback who died from melanoma in 1977.
