MIAMI — As FIU football continues its 25 Moments in 25 Seasons chronological timeline in celebration of the program's upcoming 25th season in 2026, the next moment highlights the historic announcement of FIU's partnership with Pitbull on Aug. 6, 2024, which included the naming rights for the football stadium.
International Love
August 6, 2024 proved to be a momentous day, not only in the history of FIU's Athletics Department, but in the global-sports landscape as FIU rolled out its partnership agreement with international superstar and entrepreneur Armando Christian Pérez, better known as Pitbull. This announcement and re-naming of the football stadium as Pitbull Stadium officially made FIU's home the world's first-ever athletics venue with an artist possessing the naming rights. Immediately, this collaboration put FIU on the national scene as the Panther program became synonymous with Pitbull, further elevating the reach of its brand, in both 'the 305' and beyond.
Time of Our Lives
In front of a packed crowd of media, university and athletics dignitaries, Pitbull addressed the attendees with a contagious energy. Surrounded by FIU Athletics Director Scott Carr and then-President Kenneth Jessell, Perez captivated Panther Nation with the following words, "This partnership with FIU is a true honor and a testament to what we can achieve when we work hard. Renaming the stadium isn't just about a name change. It's about inspiring the community, creating opportunities and showing the world that with determination and a clear vision, anything is possible. We're making history together, and we're just getting started. Why dream when you can live it?"
On that day, the international superstar officially locked in with the FIU program for 10 years, but this historic moment is one that will continue to define the program for generations.
Dale FIU!
25th Season Celebration
The upcoming 2026 season for the Panthers officially marks FIU's 25th season of football competition, dating back to the Panthers' first-ever season in 2002. Over that time period, FIU has qualified for six bowl games, secured six Shula Bowl victories and produced countless NFL players, including Pro Bowlers T.Y Hilton and Jonnu Smith. The program has also seen many legendary coaches and outstanding players pass through the Panther facilities throughout its history, creating a litany of incredible moments experienced by Panther Nation.
Fans can be expected to be taken on a journey back to the inception of the program all the way up to the present day, recognizing the standard set by the first teams and acknowledging how many past Panthers have helped to build on that legacy. All of this will lead up and continue through the 25th official season in 2026, the second under head coach Willie Simmons, following one of the most historic seasons on record in his first year on the sidelines.
As the campaign begins with a variety of content in the coming weeks, visit our one-stop shop for the 25th Season Celebration. In conjunction with this, fans are encouraged to follow along with the many highly-engaging pieces of content recognizing the past that will be released on FIU Football's social media channels, listed below.
Social Media
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIU.Football on Instagram and @FIUFootball on Twitter and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
