Broncos Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Andy Avalos

Team Mascot: Buster Bronco

Year Opened: 1970

Capacity: 36387

City / State: Boise / Idaho

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Boise State vs Nevada

Rival Team: Nevada Wolf Pack

Boise State’s rivalry with Nevada is one of their longest-running rivalries, as the two schools have met every year since 1971 with few exceptions. The rivalry goes back all the way to when both of these schools were D1-AA meaning there is a lot of history between these two teams. Boise State holds the all-time series lead 28-13 and has won the last four matchups.

Milk Can

Rival Team: Fresno State Bulldogs

Boise State and Fresno state have a long standing rivalry that goes back to when both of these schools were members of the WAC. One of the most famous games in this series occurred in 2001 when the Broncos first entered the WAC and knocked off #8 Fresno State 35-30. Today when these two teams bud heads the winner receives the Milk Can in addition to bragging rights over their rival. Boise State leads the all-time series 13-5 and has won four of the last five meetings including the 2014 Mountain West Championship Game.

Boise State vs BYU

Rival Team: BYU Cougars

Despite having never played in the same conference Boise State and BYU have developed a fairly strong rivalry due to the schools’ proximity and cultural similarities. These two teams are scheduled to play each other every year from now until 2023, so you should have plenty of opportunities to catch one of the early matchups in this budding rivalry.

Broncos Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

In recent years the Boise State Broncos have moved from another non-BCS conference team to one of the best teams in college football, and the tailgate atmosphere here have responded accordingly. Here at Boise State, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in a tailgate experience from tricked out tailgate vehicles to lavish spreads to a team walk they’ve got it all.

Tailgating at Boise State takes place in the parking lots around the stadium, and you’ll see a sea of orange and blue tents as you approach Albertsons Stadium. The fans get here early to tailgate with the lots opening up eight hours before kickoff on game day. You’ll want to head on down to the lots early to get the most of your game day experience, however, make sure you have a parking permit as the lots near the stadium require one.

The drinks flow freely, and there are great food and great company to be had at a Boise State Broncos Tailgate, so head on out to Boise for an excellent day of football and fun.

Traditions

Bronco Walk

One pregame tradition that everyone should check out when in Boise is the Bronco Walk. The walk takes place two and a half hours before the game and gives fans the chance to interact with the team before they take the field. The team walks down University Dr. from the Student Union Building to the football center, so make sure to get their early and secure yourself a spot.

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Bronco Bash Alumni Tailgate

The alumni tailgate provides a great place for Broncos fans of all ages to enjoy some pregame fun. The tailgate starts three hours before kickoff and is home to local dining options, beer and refreshment sales, TV’s featuring action from around college football, and fun activities for fans of all ages.

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Fisher’s Technology Tailgate

Fisher’s tailgate offers plenty of food, drinks, and fun for those of you looking to tailgate who don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up your tailgate.

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Where to tailgate

Broncos Stadium Guide

In Game

Albertsons Stadium has been a fortress of invincibility for the Broncos as they have amassed one of the best home records in the nation over the course of the program’s history. The Broncos all-time win-loss record at home is 236-51 giving them a .822 all-time winning percentage, and their record is even more impressive recently having gone 93-4 at home since 1999. This excellent home field advantage has led to Broncos fans coming out in strong numbers, as they expect a victory every time they go to a game at Albertsons Stadium.

A big component to the Broncos success at home has been the rambunctious fans that make up the crowd at Albertsons Stadium.  The crowd is so loud that they have recorded a noise level of 123 decibels. When in Boise come prepared to cheer loudly and frequently to keep up with the rest of the crowd.

Another big part of the impressive home field advantage the Broncos have built up is The Blue. The Blue is the name of the blue turf, which can only be found at Boise State. The turf can be very intimidating to opponents as it gives the playing field a weird and new feel, and has even taken on a life of its own over the years creating many myths and legends.

Finally, if you’re coming to Boise late in the season, you’ll want to bundle up as it can be quite cold for some of later October and November games. The cold weather doesn’t stop the Boise faithful from showing up and being their usually boisterous selves, though, so come bundled up and ready to cheer on the Broncos late in the season.

Things to check out

The Blue

Albertson's Stadium is home to the only blue Astro turf in the world. Boise State started this tradition in 1986, and it has been a staple in their team’s history. Since then they have made a rule that no NFL team may use a surface color other than green and named it the Boise rule. So as you take in a game here, try and think about how it might be one of the only times you get to watch football played on an all blue field.

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Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery

If you are a true fan of the team, you will enjoy walking around the Allen Noble Hall of Fame Gallery. It has a lot of memorabilia from the team’s history and notable events. A must if you are a true Boise State or football fan.

Stueckle Sky Club

A 3 story complex on the west side of the stadium, this is a real luxury to take a game in from this area. Air conditioned areas where you can get a meal and relax with family and watch the game from pure comfort.

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Bronco Girl

Before the game and after every Boise State score, the Bronco Girl rides down the field. The ride really gets the capacity crowd up and cheering giving the Broncos an extra edge when playing at home.

Colors in the Stands

Each seating section in the stadium has an assigned color of shirt that you should wear to the game. It is either blue, orange, or white. It makes the stadium and fans pleasing to the eye for everyone around.

Buster Bronco

Buster Bronco has been the Boise State Broncos mascot since 1932 and is one of the best mascots in college football. He was ranked #3 in Sports Illustrated’s 2007 mascot power rankings and was a nominee for the Capital One Mascot of the Year in 2008-2009. Buster Bronco really revs up the crowd with his antics, so be sure to look for him when attending a Boise State game.

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Fight Songs

  1. Boise! State! Chant

    One half of the stadium chants Boise! and the other half responds with State!

    Boise!
    State!

    Boise!
    State!

    Boise!
    State!

  2. Boise State Fight Song

    Fight Broncos, celebrate the orange and blue

    Boise, we’ll stand and cheer for you
    Fight for distinction & our alma mater
    Bravely defending B-S-U!
    Fight on Courageously for Boise State
    Success and honor make her great
    Boise’s proud tradition-
    Head’s up competition-
    Glory for B-S-U
    Go! Orange!
    Go! big! blue!
    Fight! Fight! B-S-U!

Broncos Bars & Restaurants

  1. Extreme Pizza – Boise

    Extreme Pizza Boise

    At Extreme Pizza, we’re always experimenting with new ways to test the palette, to push the pizza experience to a higher level.

    590 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-947-5675

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  2. Spacebar Arcade

    Spacebar Arcade bar

    Amazing crowd with a great selection of beer and wine!

    200 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-918-0597

    Bar website

    american - $

  3. Humpin Hannah’s

    Humpin Hannahs

    When it’s been a long day and you feel like the weekend will never come, lace up your shoes and enjoy a night of drinking and dancing at Humpin’ Hannah’s!

    621 Main St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-345-7557

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Bar Gernika

    BarGernika

    Bar Gernika has been a fixture on the Basque Block since 1991 and serves authentic Basque foods, wine and desserts.

    202 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-344-2175

    Bar website

    european - $$

  5. Silly Birch

    Silly Birch

    Inspired by rich, beautiful birch wood, the Silly Birch combines Old Boise Downtown, sports fans, and an extremely friendly staff!

    507 Main St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  6. Bittercreek Alehouse

    Bittercreek Alehouse

    We curate food on the basis of flavor, distance traveled, and the relationships we have with farmers and artisanal producers who are as thoughtful about their products as we try to be with ours.

    246 N 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-429-6340

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Tom Grainey’s Sporting Pub

    Tom Graineys Sporting Pub

    Groove to live music every night in Tom Grainey’s.

    109 S 6th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-345-2505

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  8. 10 Barrel Brewing Company

    Barrel Brewing Company

    Brew beer. Drink beer. Have fun doing it.

    826 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-344-5870

    Bar website

    american - $$

  9. Taphouse

    Taphouse

    "Beer brings people together. We keep ’em coming."

    760 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-336-6991

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  10. The Matador

    The Matador

    The Matador was created to offer an experience like no other! Featuring made from scratch Mexican cuisine and hand crafted cocktails along with the most diverse selection of Tequilas anywhere!

    215 N 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-342-9988

    Bar website

    american - mexican - $$

  11. Boise Brewing

    Boise Brewing

    Nestled halfway between the campus and the capital, in the heart of downtown Boise; Boise Brewing believes in great beer and good times over all else!

    521 W Broad St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-342-7655

    Bar website

    american - $

  12. Suds Tavern

    Suds Tavern

    Suds Tavern is a neighborhood college bar across from Bronco Stadium that offers top-notch service with original specials and a comfortable atmosphere.

    1024 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706, USA

    208-345-9656

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  13. R Bar

    R Bar

    R Bar is next to Newt & Harold's on Broadway. We're a stones throw from BSU's stadium so come check us out on gamedays, we'll have almost any other game you can think of on our TVs as well.

    1041 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706, USA

    208-629-0029

    Bar website

    american - $

  14. The End Zone

    The End Zone

    Just a Hail Mary pass from Bronco Stadium, The End Zone is Boise State’s premier college dive bar.

    1010 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706, USA

    208-384-0613

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  15. Red Feather Lounge

    Red Feather Lounge

    We curate food on the basis of flavor, distance traveled, and the relationships we have with farmers and artisanal producers who are as thoughtful about their products as we try to be with ours.

    246 N 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-429-6340

    Bar website

    american - $$

  16. Reef

    Reef

    An exotic place of forbidden drink, fine food, enchanted sounds and worship of Tiki and the Mai Tai Gods. Long Live Tiki!

    105 S 6th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-287-9200

    Bar website

    american - $$

  17. Bacon Boise

    Bacon Boise

    We are BACON, an all day breakfast & brunch bistro with coffee, full bar & the awesome Bacon Bloody Mary!...plus 5 kinds of bacon.

    121 N 9th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  18. Boise Fry Company

    Boise Fry Company burger

    Hand cut fries are the main course, while our burgers come on the side!

    204 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  19. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

    Ruths Chris Steakhouse

    At Ruth's Chris, your last bite is just as good as your first.

    800 W Main St #110, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    407-333-7440

    Bar website

    steakhouse - $$$$

  20. Pie Hole

    Pie Hole pizza

    Thin Crust pizza in Boise, ID!

    1016 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706, USA

    208-424-2225

    Bar website

    pizza - $

  21. Deli George

    Deli George salad

    "Real Food for Real People"

    220 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83712, USA

    208-323-2582

    Bar website

    italian - $

  22. Tin Roof Tacos

    Tin Roof Tacos

    Tacos sticks to the staples of a street taco: simplicity, size and most importantly, made from scratch.

    115 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-336-6461

    Bar website

    mexican - $

  23. Fork

    Fork

    Fork offers American cuisine inspired from the great Northwest region made with fresh locally sourced ingredients.

    199 N 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-287-1700

    Bar website

    american - $$

  24. Big Jud’s

    Big Jud burger

    World Famous Burgers. We Proudly Serve the Best Burgers in Boise.

    1289 S Protest Rd, Boise, ID 83706, USA

    208-343-4439

    Bar website

    american - $

  25. The Brickyard

    The Brickyard

    With it’s exceptional service, great deals, fantastic cuisine, and top shelf cocktails- The BrickYard will fulfill any of your desires!

    601 Main St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-287-2121

    Bar website

    steakhouse - $$$

  26. Solid Grill and Bar

    Solid Grill and Bar

    There‘s something for every taste on their ever-changing menu.

    405 S 8th St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-345-6620

    Bar website

    american - $$

  27. Bardenay Restaurant

    Bardenay Restaurant

    Their commitment to your satisfaction doesn’t stop at the bar. This commitment makes Bardenay the perfect place to meet friends or colleagues for drinks and appetizers.

    610 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702, USA

    208-426-0538

    Bar website

    american - $$