Gophers vs. Badgers: Where to Watch the Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe in Minneapolis

On Friday, November 27th, 2026, the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin's football teams will meet on the gridiron for the 136th time. It is the most played rivalry in college football. With the exception of 1906, it has been played every year since 1890. Needless to say, this matchup is a big deal.

Gophers vs Badgers games don't just have bragging rights or conference standings at stake. They are also played for one of the coolest trophies in all of college sports: Paul Bunyan's Axe. The Axe is six feet long and has the scores of every game that has been played for it along the handle. One side is red and white and one side is maroon and gold. There isn't anything quite like it.

To be clear, this is not the only Minnesota football rivalry with a special trophy. The Little Brown Jug and Floyd of Rosedale are also major prizes (contested over with Michigan and Iowa respectively), but the Wisconsin and Minnesota game remains just a bit more important than all the others.

To get you ready for the game, we'll take a look at some of the history behind the Minnesota/Wisconsin rivalry and since the game is being played in Madison this year, we want to give you some helpful advice for finding a place to watch all the action in Minneapolis.

Key Details About the 2026 Gophers-Badgers Game

The most important game in any great rivalry is the next one. So before we explore some history and look at where to watch the Gophers vs Badgers game, let's highlight the upcoming 2026 matchup. 

The game is being held at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin this year. It will take place the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27th at 6:30 PM Central Time. It will air on NBC, with a streaming simulcast on Peacock.

This game is happening late in the season, so each team's position in the conference standings will likely raise the stakes. Of course, a rivalry with as much history as this one doesn't need anything extra for the players to bring their A-game.

A Quick Look at the History of One of College Football's Greatest Rivalries

Minnesota vs Wisconsin football has been at the center of the two states' relationship since 1890. The only year without a game came in 1906, when growing concerns over player safety led to the cancellation of the annual matchup.

The all-time record stands at 64 Gopher wins, 63 Badger victories, and 8 ties. So not only is this a long-standing rivalry, it is a very balanced one. It wasn't always that way. Minnesota had a sizable lead in the overall standings until Wisconsin rattled off 14 consecutive wins in the 2000's and 2010's. The Badgers even pulled ahead for a while, but the Golden Gophers regained the lead after last year's win.

A Special Trophy for a Special Rivalry

Not every rivalry in sports has its own trophy. One of the coolest things about the Minnesota-Wisconsin football rivalry is that it has had more than one unique prize. From 1930 to 1943, the teams fought over The Slab of Bacon.

It was a piece of black walnut that could be displayed in such a way that the letter at the center could be read as either an "M" or a "W." Unfortunately, in 1943, a Wisconsin student couldn't find the Gopher that was supposed to receive the Slab after a Minnesota win and the trophy got lost until the '90s when it was found in a storage closet.

But that little mix-up turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it led to the Gophers and Badgers playing in the annual Paul Bunyan's Axe game. The Axe was introduced in 1948. It is six feet long and has the scores of every game played for it written along the handle. In fact, in the year 2000, a new Axe was made so that each year's score could still be added. The original is now displayed at The College Football Hall of Fame.

One of the best parts of the Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe is watching the winning team grab it after the final whistle and rush to the end zone, using the Axe to pretend to chop down their rival's goalpost. You can't really do that with a slab of bacon.

Something interesting about the Paul Bunyan's Axe rivalry is that, since its introduction, Wisconsin has been the more dominant side. All but 17 of the Badgers' wins against the Gophers have come since the Axe was created.

Minnesota currently holds the Axe after the Golden Gophers' 17-7 win in 2025. 

What Makes the Gophers vs Badgers Game a Must-Watch This Year?

Minnesota vs Wisconsin 2026 is shaping up to be a huge game, even by the historic standards of this rivalry. It's coming very late in the season, meaning it will likely play a major factor in the final conference standings and could make a huge difference in end-of-the-season bowl game invitations for both teams.

On top of that, it's being played on the day after Thanksgiving on a major network — meaning that more eyes will be on the game than usual because a lot of people visiting family will be free to tune in. And what better way to unwind from a morning of doorbuster, Black Friday sales than Big Ten rivalry games?

So how do you decide where to watch such a major game?

Choosing Where to Watch The Gophers vs The Badgers in Minneapolis

When you look for a place to watch the big game, you want to be sure that you'll be able to socialize with your friends without losing track of the game. You want to have access to great food and drinks that you can share with your crew. Basically, you want a sports bar with a great atmosphere and plenty of screens.

It's also important that your whole group can get to your watch party venue easily, so an easily accessible neighborhood with plenty of parking is a must. The North Loop is one of the best neighborhoods in the Twin Cities for gatherings because it is designed for this kind of event.

The neighborhood has plenty of parking with great bars and restaurants all over the place. Plus, the North Loop is easy to access for friends coming in from the suburbs to spend time with family. You aren't going to find a better Black Friday destination for a college football watch party in Minneapolis.

But where in the North Loop should you meet for the game? That's easy. The best spot for sports in the entire neighborhood is The Rabbit Hole.

Why The Rabbit Hole is Where to Watch Gophers Football

First and foremost, The Rabbit Hole is a great place to experience Minnesota-Wisconsin football because it has dozens of big-screen TVs. You can easily see at least two screens from any seat in the house, meaning you don't have to sacrifice socializing in order to watch every minute of the game.

Also, while there are Wisconsin Badgers football fans in Minneapolis, The Rabbit Hole is a Minnesota bar through and through. From beers that come from local breweries to food made with Minnesota ingredients like the Summit beer cheese sauce that comes with our big pretzels, we are all about showing off our local pride.

Finally, The Rabbit Hole offers plenty of seating options to fit your whole group for a watch party. You can belly up to the bar with a friend, grab a table with a few folks or reserve a private or semi-private space for your entire crew.

What you need to be sure to do, though, is plan ahead. Because this is the Wisconsin football rivalry, the place will likely fill up fast. Show up with plenty of time to spare if you want a spot to sit for the game. You may be able to walk in right before kickoff and find a table, but there's no guarantee.

Of course, if you want to be sure to secure the best spot possible for you and your friends, you can make a reservation. That way, you won't have to worry about finding a backup location because all the tables were taken.

Gophers or Badgers, Rivalry Night is for the Fans

No matter who you root for, this game is a big one. So make special plans to make the most of the experience. A game this important on a day like Black Friday means you can throw a watch party you'll never forget. 

Friends and family that you don't get to see very often will be back in town for Thanksgiving and looking for something fun to do. And what's more fun than Gophers vs Badgers with Paul Bunyan's Axe on the line?

The Rabbit Hole has everything you need to make the most of your game day experience with great food, an awesome drink selection and an atmosphere that you can't get anywhere else. Just be sure to plan ahead so that you can be sure to have a great spot for a great new chapter in college football's most historic rivalry.

FAQ

When is Gophers vs. Badgers in 2026?

The game is being played on November 27th 2026 at 6:30 PM Central.

Where is the 2026 Minnesota-Wisconsin football game?

The 2026 game will be played in Madison.

What channel is Gophers vs. Badgers on?

NBC and their streaming service, Peacock, will be showing the game.

What is Paul Bunyan's Axe?

A six-foot long axe with the scores from previous Gophers-Badgers games written along the handle.

Who leads the Gophers vs. Badgers all-time series?

The Gophers have a one game lead in the all-time series, but Wisconsin has won Paul Bunyan's Axe more often since it was introduced in 1948.

Where can I watch Gophers vs. Badgers in Minneapolis?

The best place to watch the game in Minneapolis is at The Rabbit Hole (in our opinion).

Is Gophers vs. Badgers played on Black Friday in 2026?

It is! The game isn't until 6:30 PM, though, so you can still do your early morning door-buster sale shopping if that is your thing.