Cougar Canyon: The Party Before the Game

BYU football kicks off its 2026 season at home on September 5, and for thousands of fans, the real fun starts long before kickoff — at Cougar Canyon and the Backyard.

Located directly west of LaVell Edwards Stadium on Canyon Road, Cougar Canyon opens three and a half hours before kickoff at each home game and has become the heartbeat of BYU gameday.  The street closes to traffic and transforms into a festival: live bands and DJs, free face painting, caricature artists, sponsored giveaways, BYU Radio show live, BYUtv's SportsNation Gameday show live, and a massive LED video board streaming other college football games, BYU highlights, and updates throughout the day.

Hungry fans won't have to look far. Local favorites set up shop alongside vendors selling BYU merchandise and apparel.

The signature moment comes two and a half hours before kickoff, when the team's Cougar Walk routes straight through Cougar Canyon. Players and coaches make their way to the stadium through a corridor of fans, offering high-fives, autographs, and the kind of pregame energy that sets the tone for the day.

Cougar Canyon stays open until 30 minutes before kickoff, giving fans plenty of time to file into the stadium once the party winds down.

South of the stadium, across University Parkway on Helaman Fields, fans have another option: The Backyard at Cougar Canyon. It's a more laid-back tailgate scene, anchored by REVELxp, which offers a premium, full-service tailgate experience for fans who want their gameday catered rather than DIY.

The @BYUFanEx team plans and executes these events each home game. Be sure to follow on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook to catch all the details about the special things coming each week.