South Shore CVA Announces 2025 Albanese Candy Bowl Matchup and New Title Partnership

The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority is excited to announce the return of its annual NCAA Division II football bowl game—now officially named the Albanese Candy Bowl following a new multi-year title partnership with Albanese Confectionery. The agreement extends through 2027 and marks the sixth year of this postseason tradition, one of only two NCAA Division II bowl games in the nation.

The 2025 Albanese Candy Bowl will kick off at 1:05 pm CT on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Hobart High School’s Brickyard Stadium, a fitting home for the event. “This partnership makes perfect sense for our community,” stated Jimmy Nelson, Director of Sports for the South Shore CVA. “Hobart’s proud football tradition, combined with Albanese being right in our own backyard, makes this partnership a perfect fit. We’re excited to see the Candy Bowl take shape and look forward to it growing for many years to come.”

The bowl continues its tradition of featuring leading teams from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). This year’s matchup will showcase:

• Upper Iowa University Peacocks (GLVC) – Making their first bowl appearance, the Peacocks head to Northwest Indiana after a standout 8-3 season, including a flawless 5-0 home record.
• Hillsdale College Chargers (G-MAC) – Riding momentum from four consecutive wins to close their season at 6-5, the Chargers return for their second appearance in the South Shore’s Division II bowl.

Fans can access comprehensive game-day details online, including ticket information, merchandise, lodging options, local attractions, and updates on the bowl banquet and pregame festivities here: albanesecandybowl.com/.

This year’s contest will once again be streamed live, thanks to a new three-year broadcast agreement with Heartland Sports Network (formerly JEDtv), providing expanded access for fans near and far.