November 12, 2026 | Football, General
SEATTLE – November 12, 2026 – The University of Washington and Columbia Bank today announced a comprehensive 10-year partnership that will establish Columbia Bank Stadium as the official home of Washington Football beginning January 1, 2027.
The stadium naming is the cornerstone and most visible expression of a broader University relationship designed to strengthen Washington Athletics' ability to support student-athletes' long-term financial well-being and future, while creating high-impact opportunities for students, alumni and communities across all three UW campuses.
As part of the agreement, Columbia Bank will become the University's fourth Signature Partner, joining Alaska Airlines, PepsiCo and Starbucks. The partnership also establishes Columbia as an exclusive partner of Washington Athletics and the University of Washington Alumni Association in designated categories and creates a platform for collaboration across academic programming, student life, alumni engagement, workforce development and community impact.
"This is the kind of partnership great public universities should be building," UW President Robert J. Jones said. "It brings together two institutions with deep roots in Washington and creates opportunities that extend well beyond Athletics. Columbia Bank Stadium will be the most visible expression of the relationship, but the larger opportunity is to develop meaningful collaborations that benefit our students, student-athletes, alumni and communities throughout the state while responsibly growing the resources that support our mission."
The partnership reflects the University's emphasis on radical collaborations — bringing together higher education, business and community organizations to address important challenges and expand opportunity.
The UW and Columbia are developing several initiatives centered on financial health, education and career preparation, including:
For Washington Athletics, the agreement will provide long-term support for student-athlete health, development, and competitive opportunities. Areas of focus will include Fueling the Dawgs, supporting performance nutrition and student-athlete wellness; the Purple Passport Program, which expands developmental and educational experiences beyond competition; NIL to Net Worth programming; and an Olympic Sport Excellence and Opportunity Fund designed to provide flexible support for emerging student-athlete and program needs.
"This is a historic long-term partnership for Washington Athletics and the University of Washington," said Pat Chun, Director of Athletics at the University of Washington. "Columbia Bank Stadium will be the most visible expression of the relationship, but the greater opportunity is what we can build together for our student-athletes, students and communities across Washington. At a time of extraordinary change in college athletics, partnerships like this help us create sustainable resources, expand opportunities, and continue investing in the people and programs that make Washington special."
Columbia Bank President Chris Merrywell said the relationship reflects Columbia's long-term commitment to the region and the opportunity to bring the strengths of the two institutions together.
"We're incredibly proud that Columbia Bank Stadium will become such a visible part of the larger University of Washington community and the tradition of Husky athletics. Most importantly, UW leadership has a clear vision for expanding educational access and opportunity for students that our partnership will help advance," said Merrywell. "Over the next decade, we want to build something that creates lasting value for the University and Columbia, connecting our bank to the next generation of students, professionals and business leaders."
The UW worked with One Roof Sports and Entertainment to develop the partnership and its broader commercial and institutional framework.
"The strongest partnerships in sports today are about much more than putting a name on a building," Tod Leiweke, CEO of One Roof S&E, said. "The opportunity here was to create something with real scale and purpose — bringing together an iconic Washington sports property, a major Northwest institution and the University's broader mission. Columbia Bank Stadium is the cornerstone, but the strength of this agreement is everything Washington and Columbia can build around it over the next decade."
As part of the transition, Washington will thoughtfully preserve select references and heritage assets from the historic Husky Stadium name within the venue, ensuring that the legacy and traditions of Washington Football remain woven into The Greatest Setting in College Football.
The Columbia Bank Stadium name will become effective January 1, 2027, with physical signage and branding changes occurring as part of a phased implementation plan.
About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management. Columbia Bank is the principal subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB). Learn more at columbiabank.com and columbiabankingsystem.com.
About the University of Washington
Washington athletic teams have claimed 53 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship in men's rowing (2026). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 323 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
The stadium naming is the cornerstone and most visible expression of a broader University relationship designed to strengthen Washington Athletics' ability to support student-athletes' long-term financial well-being and future, while creating high-impact opportunities for students, alumni and communities across all three UW campuses.
As part of the agreement, Columbia Bank will become the University's fourth Signature Partner, joining Alaska Airlines, PepsiCo and Starbucks. The partnership also establishes Columbia as an exclusive partner of Washington Athletics and the University of Washington Alumni Association in designated categories and creates a platform for collaboration across academic programming, student life, alumni engagement, workforce development and community impact.
"This is the kind of partnership great public universities should be building," UW President Robert J. Jones said. "It brings together two institutions with deep roots in Washington and creates opportunities that extend well beyond Athletics. Columbia Bank Stadium will be the most visible expression of the relationship, but the larger opportunity is to develop meaningful collaborations that benefit our students, student-athletes, alumni and communities throughout the state while responsibly growing the resources that support our mission."
The partnership reflects the University's emphasis on radical collaborations — bringing together higher education, business and community organizations to address important challenges and expand opportunity.
The UW and Columbia are developing several initiatives centered on financial health, education and career preparation, including:
- Debt-Free Dawgs, focused on helping students build stronger financial foundations and reducing financial barriers to education opportunities,
- Financial Literacy for Every Husky, expanding access to practical financial education and resources for all students;
- NIL to Net Worth, helping student-athletes understand how to translate short-term NIL opportunities into long-term financial health;
- Financial Health Across Washington, leveraging the University's statewide reach and Columbia's regional presence to strengthen communities; and
- Additional academic, student, workforce, and community initiatives now in development.
For Washington Athletics, the agreement will provide long-term support for student-athlete health, development, and competitive opportunities. Areas of focus will include Fueling the Dawgs, supporting performance nutrition and student-athlete wellness; the Purple Passport Program, which expands developmental and educational experiences beyond competition; NIL to Net Worth programming; and an Olympic Sport Excellence and Opportunity Fund designed to provide flexible support for emerging student-athlete and program needs.
"This is a historic long-term partnership for Washington Athletics and the University of Washington," said Pat Chun, Director of Athletics at the University of Washington. "Columbia Bank Stadium will be the most visible expression of the relationship, but the greater opportunity is what we can build together for our student-athletes, students and communities across Washington. At a time of extraordinary change in college athletics, partnerships like this help us create sustainable resources, expand opportunities, and continue investing in the people and programs that make Washington special."
Columbia Bank President Chris Merrywell said the relationship reflects Columbia's long-term commitment to the region and the opportunity to bring the strengths of the two institutions together.
"We're incredibly proud that Columbia Bank Stadium will become such a visible part of the larger University of Washington community and the tradition of Husky athletics. Most importantly, UW leadership has a clear vision for expanding educational access and opportunity for students that our partnership will help advance," said Merrywell. "Over the next decade, we want to build something that creates lasting value for the University and Columbia, connecting our bank to the next generation of students, professionals and business leaders."
The UW worked with One Roof Sports and Entertainment to develop the partnership and its broader commercial and institutional framework.
"The strongest partnerships in sports today are about much more than putting a name on a building," Tod Leiweke, CEO of One Roof S&E, said. "The opportunity here was to create something with real scale and purpose — bringing together an iconic Washington sports property, a major Northwest institution and the University's broader mission. Columbia Bank Stadium is the cornerstone, but the strength of this agreement is everything Washington and Columbia can build around it over the next decade."
As part of the transition, Washington will thoughtfully preserve select references and heritage assets from the historic Husky Stadium name within the venue, ensuring that the legacy and traditions of Washington Football remain woven into The Greatest Setting in College Football.
The Columbia Bank Stadium name will become effective January 1, 2027, with physical signage and branding changes occurring as part of a phased implementation plan.
About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management. Columbia Bank is the principal subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB). Learn more at columbiabank.com and columbiabankingsystem.com.
About the University of Washington
Washington athletic teams have claimed 53 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship in men's rowing (2026). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 323 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 12
