The 2016 game would have pitted the Pac-12's #6 team against the winner of the Mountain West Conference Football Championship Game, provided that the winner of the game does not automatically qualify for one of the College Football Playoff's six bowls as the highest-ranking member of the "Group of Five" (champions of the Mountain West, Sun Belt, American, or Mid-American Conferences, as well as the Conference USA champion comprise this group).

To heighten the profile of the game with its move to Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Bowl announced a new, five-year, alternating tie-in between the SEC and Big Ten beginning 2020.

The Big West and MAC then pulled out of Fresno and sought a new home for their conference champions.

In those days, the Christmas season was a slow period for Las Vegas hotels and casinos.

In 1995, Toledo defeated Nevada, 40–37, in the first ever overtime game in Division I-A college football.

UCLA scored first on a field goal after a fumble by BYU quarterback Max Hall.

A fumble by BYU with 19 seconds left in the first half allowed UCLA to score and cut the lead to 17–13.

The 28-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked by BYU defensive tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna and fell short giving BYU their second Vegas Bowl victory in three tries, also making the Cougars the first school to win back-to-back Las Vegas Bowls.

[9] Following the expiration of Royal Purple's sponsorship of the title from 2013 to 2015, the game became officially known as the Las Vegas Bowl.

[10] Its tie-ins (SEC and Pac-12) were transferred to the ESPN Events-owned Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.

Won (9): Arizona, Bowling Green, California, North Carolina, Northwestern, Toledo, Utah State, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Lost (7): Air Force, Arkansas, Central Michigan, Colorado State, Florida, Houston, Texas A&M Updated through the December 2024 edition (32 games, 64 total appearances).