The Deion Sanders effect is alive and well in Boulder.
Ahead of the 2025 college football season, the University of Colorado has doubled its season ticket sales, marking the highest total in program history and fueling unprecedented anticipation for year three under head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders.
According to athletic department officials, the Buffaloes have sold over 47,000 season tickets for the upcoming season, up from approximately 23,500 in 2023—the year Sanders first took over the program. The surge includes a waiting list of nearly 5,000 fans and a significant uptick in student ticket purchases, merchandise sales, and national media interest.
> “What we’re building here is bigger than football—it’s a movement,” Sanders said in a recent press conference. “Colorado isn’t just back. We’re making history.”
From Basement to Buzz: Colorado’s Rapid Turnaround
Two years ago, the Buffaloes were coming off a 1–11 season and widely considered a Pac-12 bottom-feeder. But Coach Prime’s arrival in December 2022 sparked an instant cultural and competitive shift, as he overhauled the roster, brought in a star-studded coaching staff, and attracted high-profile recruits and transfers.
Colorado’s 2023 season started with a 3–0 run that captured national attention, and while the team finished 5–7, the massive improvement and media buzz were undeniable.
In 2024, the Buffs went 8–4, reached a bowl game for the first time in six years, and broke multiple viewership records on national broadcasts.
Star Power Returns in 2025
Heading into the 2025 season, Colorado returns key pieces, including:
Shedeur Sanders (QB) – Coach Prime’s son and a projected first-round NFL pick
Travis Hunter (WR/CB) – A rare two-way player and Heisman dark horse
Cavin Williams (RB) – A breakout sophomore who averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2024
The team also added several blue-chip recruits and high-profile transfers through the portal, cementing its status as a Top 25 preseason team.
> “I came to Boulder because I believe in Coach Prime,” said 5-star wideout Marcus Bentley, who flipped from Florida State. “He’s real, and he knows how to win.”
Boulder Booming
The “Prime effect” extends far beyond the field. Since Sanders’ arrival:
Colorado has seen a 60% increase in national applications.
The football program generated over $45 million in revenue last year.
Boulder has experienced a boom in tourism, hotel bookings, and gameday spending.
University officials are already planning stadium renovations and a new state-of-the-art training facility to keep up with the growth.
> “What Coach Prime has done in two years would’ve taken most programs a decade,” said Colorado AD Rick George. “He’s changed the game for us, permanently.”
National Spotlight in 2025
The Buffaloes will begin the 2025 season with a prime-time home opener against Texas Tech, airing on NBC’s new “College Football Saturday Night” package.
Colorado is also scheduled for games against:
Michigan (away)
Arizona (home)
USC (home)
Nebraska (away)
Each of those matchups is expected to draw massive television audiences, with some projecting Colorado to lead the nation in average viewership for a second straight year.
