The University of California, Berkeley, has embarked on a determined, strategic effort to build a football program that consistently competes for championships on both the ACC and national stage. This effort is guided by an aligned vision shared by leadership across campus, including an extraordinary trio of UC Berkeley alumni: Chancellor Rich Lyons, Cal football general manager Ron Rivera, and Travers Family Head Football Coach Tosh Lupoi. Together, they are leading the work that's needed to build the foundations for a sustainable championship culture. With sights set firmly on the 2026 season, Cal intends to take its place as a competitive force in the year ahead. 

This momentum would not be possible without the extraordinary engagement and support of the Cal community through, among other things, the recent Fight For California campaign - a weeklong $1.5 million matching challenge. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous Cal football alum and the San Francisco Grid Club, every dollar was matched, propelling the challenge to an incredible $2.25 million raised in just one week. This response underscores the collective belief in Cal football's future and the power of unified support. 

This surge of generosity and dedication extends well beyond the challenge. Cal football also recently received a $11 million anonymous cash gift, a $6.5 million commitment, two $1 million  gifts, and several commitments of $500k+ in the past few months, reinforcing the foundation being built. Together, these gifts are an extraordinary statement of belief in Cal football's vision.

Equally important has been the Cal community's collective investment in creating NIL opportunities for Cal student-athletes. A significant investment by Cal-affiliated companies has supported these efforts, directly fueling a modern, competitive approach to roster construction and talent acquisition. As a result, Cal football has secured a top-15 transfer portal recruiting class and the No. 2 portal class in the ACC.

The impact of this generosity is significant. After raising $5.2 million last year, Cal football is now tracking toward more than $25 million this year, representing a remarkable 381% increase. This historic growth is a direct reflection of the passion, pride, and commitment of the Cal community, and it signals a turning point for the program. But these efforts are just the beginning. Rivera has a goal - raise $100 million over the next three years to build the financial foundation Cal football needs to win championships. These funds will make recruiting and retaining top-performing student-athletes and elite coaching staff possible in an increasingly competitive environment. 

"Building a $100 million foundation isn't about spending for today," Rivera said. "It's about creating sustained excellence, giving our program the resources it needs to compete, develop, and ultimately bring championships back to Berkeley."

At the center of this new chapter is the return of Lupoi as head coach, a proud Cal alum whose roots run deep in the Bay Area. Lupoi's homecoming represents more than a coaching hire - it is a recommitment to Cal's identity, values, and competitive aspirations. Alongside Rivera, Lupoi is assembling the infrastructure necessary to compete at the highest level in today's college football landscape. 

While the generosity of our Cal family has been instrumental in driving this progress, the work is far from finished. Continued investment is essential to ensure Lupoi, Rivera, and the entire program have the resources needed to sustain success and compete nationally. Cal Athletics is incredibly thankful to all the supporters, including the Calgorithm, that have helped ignite a renewed energy in Berkeley.

To support Cal football, please consider making a gift here. In addition, businesses interested in partnering with Cal student-athletes through NIL opportunities are encouraged to contact Justin DiTolla at jditolla@berkeley.edu or through memberships with TheLinkU. Together, these efforts - both philanthropic and NIL opportunities - are essential to remaining competitive in recruiting and retaining student-athletes in this new era of college sports.