First played in 1900, 125 years ago,[2][3][4] the matchup was traditionally the final game of the regular season for both teams and generally took place on the Saturday preceding Thanksgiving.

[5] As a non-conference game for the first time in 63 years, the 2024 edition was played early in the season, on September 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle.

First awarded in 1963,[10] the Apple Cup Trophy is presented to the winner by the state's governor at the conclusion of the game.

When the college football regular season was lengthened from eleven to twelve games in 2006, there was a movement to change the date of the game from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the weekend following, which would have allowed a bye week for both teams during the season.

The media joked that the 2008 game won by the Cougars in Pullman was the "Crapple Cup" and "full of worms," because WSU (1–10) hosted winless UW (0–10).

The 2011 game in Seattle was moved to CenturyLink Field to allow an early start on the renovation of Husky Stadium.