There’s something about standing in a crowd of people cheering on the home team. And here in Montana, in Grizzly Country, the University of Montana is the home team (and we provide a lot to cheer for). UM has 15 NCAA intercollegiate sports*, all bringing in a crowd.

Below are the seasons and reasons to celebrate all 15 UM sports teams. But here’s a little secret – joining Zoo Crew is the best way to make the most out of UM Athletics. This exclusive student club has the loudest and proudest fans in the crowd and is privy to special events, team meets, and so much swag!

* This doesn’t include over a dozen club sports, ranging from Hockey, Lacrosse, UM Rodeo, the Woodsman’s Team and ultimate frisbee teams.

Griz Football

Regular Season: September-November

Did you know that Washington-Grizzly Stadium (capacity 25,217) transforms into Montana’s 7^th largest city during home games? You might believe it if you have ever attended a Griz Football game before, with all the noise and excitement echoing off the nearby Mount Sentinel.

The football season kicks off every year near the beginning of the Fall semester and extends through November, with the regular season ending with the Griz-Cat game, also known as the Brawl of the Wild, against our rivals, the Montana State Bobcats, (we’ve won 75 of the last 122 of these games by the way).

Learn More About Griz Football

Lady Griz Basketball

Regular Season: November-March

There’s no University of Montana without Lady Griz Basketball. This legacy sports team has represented the best of women’s basketball since its inaugural 1974-75 season. Many celebrated athletes and coaches have been a part of Lady Griz Basketball through the years, including the likes of Malia Kipp, the first Montana tribal member to play NCAA Division I women’s basketball on a full-ride scholarship – Check out the PBS documentary, “Native Ball” if you haven’t already.

Lady Griz Basketball packs the bleachers of Dahlberg Arena within The Adams Center on campus. They play on Robin Selvig Court, named after the winningest coach in the program’s history. It’s a raucous and fun affair watching Lady Griz do their thing. Lady Griz plays at least one game weekly during the regular season, switching between home and away games.

Follow Lady Griz on Facebook / X / Instagram

Men’s Basketball

Regular Season: November-March

Men’s Basketball has been a part of UM athletics since 1901 (although the first listed coach started in 1905). As you can imagine, a lot has changed in the program in this 120+ year history. Today, men’s basketball brings down the house in Dahlberg Arena within The Adams Center.  Over 3,000 Griz fans fill the stands on any average game, with those numbers increasing during post-season runs – including 11 Big Sky Conference championships wins and a dozen NCAA tournament appearances.

Follow UM Men’s Basketball on Facebook / X / Instagram

Women’s Soccer

Regular Season: August-October

If any Grizzlies roar the loudest, it’s our Women’s Soccer team. This fearless squad lays down the law at the South Campus Stadium, with outstanding views of Mount Sentinel towering above the field. UM’s soccer team has won nine Big Sky Conference Championships since their inaugural 1994 season. This impressive stat includes clinching the 2023 Big Sky Championship in dominating fashion (and a record-setting spectator attendance).

Women’s Volleyball

Regular Season: Late August-October

Montana’s Volleyball team has provided the digs, blocks and attacks since 1975, boasting an impressive win history and numerous letter-winning athletes. Today, volleyball packs Dahlberg Arena within the Adams Center, playing on the Robin Selvig Court. If you haven’t been to a Griz volleyball game yet, you’re missing out on some of the most electric atmospheres on campus.   

Follow Griz Volleyball on Facebook / X / Instagram

Men & Women’s Tennis

Regular Season: September – April

Men’s Tennis at UM spans back to the 1960s while Women’s Tennis originated in the 1980s. Today, both teams volley and serve on their homecourts at PEAK Racquet Club on Buckhouse Lane in Missoula. This facility is the largest racquet facility in the state and one of the premier indoor facilities in the Northwest.  

Women’s Softball

Regular Season: February – May

Griz Softball is the newest athletic program at UM, established in 2015. The program has had three coaches in that time and appearances in the Big Sky Conference tournament all but two years. Home games happen at the state-of-the-art Grizzly Softball Stadium, where the Griz hold an 83-51 homefield advantage (2015-2024).  

Men & Women’s Cross Country

Regular Season: September – November

Griz men and women cross country runners have been going the distance since 1990 and have produced several All-American athletes. Try and catch this speedy team at home during the annual UM Invitational as they run circles around the competition at the UM Golf Course.

Men & Women’s Track & Field (Indoors & Outdoors)

Regular Season: January – May

Track & Field is split between indoor and outdoor seasons, offering almost half of the year to Track & Field spectating. Just don’t blink too much, as you might miss some big events like steeplechase, relays and hurdles. These events and more take place at the South Campus Stadium, backdropped by beautiful views of the Sapphire Mountains.

Women’s Golf

Regular Season: September-October & February-April 

Grizzlies have been hitting the greens since 1993. Many of our Women’s Golf tournaments occur out-of-state (think Arizona and Utah). So, if you ever need a good reason to go somewhere warm, hit the road and follow Griz Golf to sunnier climates. Keep an eye out in the schedule for special Montana events, like the Griz Invitational or the Battle at Old Works in Anaconda.