Montana Grizzly Football Launches North End Zone Merchandise

One of the most legendary (and best) stadium seating sections in all of the Football Championship Subdivision is letting fans show off their pride with new merchandise.

NEW MERCH AND A STORY TO TELL (YOURS)

As Washington-Grizzly Stadium prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, UM Athletics tells us that ahead of the 2026 football season, Grizzly Athletics is rolling out the North End Zone retail line so that fans can proudly rep not just the team they cheer for, but who they are.

North End Zone product – from T-shirts and hats, to mugs and tote bags – will be available for fans to purchase in August. Participating retail stores include the Go Griz Store on campus, The M Store in downtown Missoula and the Missoula SCHEELS store in Southgate Mall, as well as online. More information will come soon.

MONTANA GRIZZLIES

Throughout the 2026 season, Grizzly Athletics will continue to celebrate the North End Zone with first-hand stories and recognition during each game. To learn more, or to submit your personal North End Zone story with the chance to be featured on social media and during a game, click here.

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS?

Well, yeah, you could say that, since actual end zone seating wasn't even part of the original stadium design in 1986.

North End Zone Timeline

1986 – Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened its doors to fans for the first time during the middle of the 1986 season. At that point in time, Washington-Grizzly Stadium had a capacity of just 12,500, with the ability to increase to 15,000, when north and south end zone seating – just grassy berms at the time – were made available, based off of weather and demand.

1995 – Prior to the 1995 season, Washington-Grizzly Stadium, now entering its ninth season, experienced its first stadium expansion, adding permanent end zone seating to both the north and south ends of the stadium. This increased capacity to 18,845 and gave the North End Zone its first permanent seating.

2003 – Ahead of the 2003 season, approximately 4,000 seats were added to the North End Zone, increasing capacity to 23,117, and giving the North End Zone its current look with three center sections, flanked by the pies on each side.