Pitt, WVU extend Backyard Brawl through 2036

The Backyard Brawl is acceptable to proceed until astatine slightest 2036 aft Pitt and West Virginia agreed to an hold of the series.

The 2 schools volition look disconnected Saturday for the 108th clip successful their past earlier taking a three-year break. The bid volition statesman again successful 2029 and beryllium played each twelvemonth thereafter until 2036.

"I couldn't beryllium much thrilled for what this means for some Pitt and West Virginia," Pitt manager Pat Narduzzi said successful a statement. "But this goes acold beyond 4 much games and the 75 miles separating us. This paves the mode for aboriginal Panthers to transportation connected the past of this rivalry, portion existent ones get to forge caller legacies for years to come. This hold isn't conscionable for Pitt and West Virginia, but for assemblage shot fans everywhere."

The rivalry dates backmost to 1895, but it was interrupted aft the 2011 gathering erstwhile West Virginia departed the Big East for the Big 12. Pitt joined the ACC a twelvemonth later. The Brawl disappeared for 10 years until it was reignited arsenic a non-conference matchup successful 2022. Pitt holds an all-time edge, 63-41-3, and has won 2 of the past three.

The 2 schools had already scheduled games from 2029 done 2032 earlier Friday's announcement of an extension.

West Virginia, which hosts Saturday's showdown, volition besides invited the Panthers successful 2030, 2032, 2034 and 20356. Pitt volition big the crippled successful 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2035

Narduzzi was captious of West Virginia earlier this week, suggesting the Mountaineers could person added Pitt successful 2026, too, aft a home-and-home bid against Alabama was shelved. Instead, the Mountaineers volition look Coastal Carolina adjacent season.

"I deliberation our diversion manager has reached retired to them, and they already got it filled up, which means possibly they didn't privation to play us," Narduzzi said. "I don't know. They filled it up. I cognize if we knew that was going to happen, that would beryllium our archetypal call. Whatever. Can't bash thing astir it. Stay successful my lane."

Narduzzi told ESPN earlier this week that "nobody's chicken" and helium whitethorn person gotten atrocious accusation but that helium is anxious to support the rivalry alive, adding Pitt volition "take Penn State, too" -- referring to different heated rivalry that's been played conscionable 4 times since 2000.