January 8, 2026 – Nashville is a premier destination for major national events — especially sporting events — and Music City was once again the center of attention for the sports world this week.
On Monday, the Football Championship Subdivision’s national championship game pitted the Illinois State Redbirds against the Montana State Bobcats at FirstBank Stadium, the home of the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Bobcats came away with a thrilling 35-34 overtime victory — the FCS’ first national championship game to reach overtime — to secure the program’s second national title, its first since 1984.
The 24,105 fans who turned FirstBank Stadium into a sea of red and blue not only saw a milestone win, but they were part of one as well: Monday night’s attendance was the largest for an FCS National Championship Game since 1996, and the 7th-largest in the game’s history.
The Stars salute the Nashville Sports Council, who worked in tandem with the Ohio Valley Conference — based in Brentwood, just south of Nashville — to stage yet another event that shone a bright light on Nashville’s sports scene.
Nashville has demonstrated its ability to host major sporting events — including Women’s Final Four games, the NFL Draft, the NHL All-Star Game and MLB Winter Meetings — and has showcased its distinct style at every turn. Congratulations to the Bobcats, and thanks to the fan bases from Montana and Illinois for cheering on their teams right here in Music City.