FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 27, 2026) – University of Idaho mascot Joe Vandal successfully defended his crown and won the 2026 Big Sky Conference Mascot Challenge, presented by
Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company, as the mascot racked up nearly 25,000 votes this past month.
All 13 of the league's football mascots took part in the 2026 Big Sky Mascot Challenge, with nearly 70,000 votes being cast throughout the four rounds of intense competition.
Joe Vandal once again captured the hearts and minds of a nation, as he edged out Champ from Montana State University in the final round of voting this week. The voting, which took place on @BigSkyConf's Instagram, Facebook, and X accounts, saw Joe Vandal win by a 51.5% to 48.5% margin to claim the top mascot title.
Joe's path to the title started out with a pair of dominating performances, as the Vandal won over 80% of the vote in back-to-back matches against the University of Northern Colorado's Klawz and University of California, Davis' Gunrock. The final two matches were more challenging for the defending champ, as Joe Vandal downed his Treasure State foes by a margin of less than 7%.
Now in its fifth year, the Big Sky Mascot Challenge offers fans from around the conference a chance to voice their support for their favorite furry friend ahead of the upcoming football season. Prior to Joe Vandal's back-to-back titles, the University of Montana's Monte had won the first three challenges, including the inaugural vote in the summer of 2022.
As part of his victory, Joe will be honored as the Big Sky Mascot Champion in Boise during Starch Madness this March. The 2027 Big Sky Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will tip off on Friday, March 5 from Idaho Central Arena, with champions being crown on Wednesday, March 10. Tickets for the tournament will go on sale later this fall.
Joe will root on his Vandals this Friday night, as Idaho travels to Cal Poly to kick off the 2026 football season on ESPN. The Big Sky will have six conference games in Week 0, with all 13 football teams in action to start the season this weekend. For more on Week 0,
click here.
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league.
2026 Big Sky Mascot Challenge Voting
Round 1
No. 8 Swoop (Eastern Washington) - 42.8%
No. 9 Musty (Cal Poly) - 57.2%
No. 4 Benny (Idaho State) - 54.9%
No. 13 Brooks (Utah Tech) - 45.1%
No. 5 Louie (Northern Arizona) - 58.3%
No. 12 Victor (Portland State) - 41.7%
No. 7 Thor (Southern Utah) - 48.3%
No. 10 Waldo (Weber State) - 51.7%
No. 6 Joe (Idaho) - 82.6%
No. 11 Klawz (Northern Colorado) - 17.4%
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Champ (Montana State) - 66.1%
No. 9 Musty (Cal Poly) - 33.9%
No. 4 Benny (Idaho State) - 64.4%
No. 5 Louie (Northern Arizona) - 35.6%
No. 2 Monte (Montana) - 57.4%
No. 10 Waldo (Weber State) - 42.6%
No. 3 Gunrock (UC Davis) - 16.1%
No. 6 Joe (Idaho) - 83.9%
Semifinals
No. 1 Champ (Montana State) - 58.5%
No. 4 Benny (Idaho State) - 41.5%
No. 2 Monte (Montana) - 46.9%
No. 6 Joe (Idaho) - 53.1%
Finals
No. 1 Champ (Montana State) - 48.5%
No. 6 Joe (Idaho) - 51.5%
Seedings based on 2026 Big Sky Football Preseason Media Poll