Arizona State sees massive influx of season ticket holders in the wake of Peach Bowl loss

The College Football Playoff kicked off the new year with an instant classic, but Arizona State ultimately fell to Texas in double overtime of the Peach Bowl. The game was wildly entertaining and offered a glimpse into the bright future the Sun Devils have under head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Dillingham's mantra since being named the head coach at his alma mater has been "Activate the Valley," a slogan aimed at breathing life into a fan base that had suffered through a national recruiting violations scandal under the previous regime. After such a phenomenal season, which included Arizona State going undefeated at home, it's easy to say that the Valley has been sufficiently activated.

Arizona State saw the proof in the pudding too, as their Peach Bowl loss brought with it a wave of people signing up for season tickets in eager anticipation of the 2025 season.

Arizona State sold 300 new season tickets in just one day, a glowing indication of how amped up fans are despite the loss. Outside of Cam Skattebo and a couple other players, the Sun Devils will return the vast majority of their starting lineup next year, primarily quarterback Sam Leavitt and receiver Jordyn Tyson.

Perhaps more important is the fact that Dillingham, the face of this miraculous turnaround, is also coming back. The coach inked a contract extension on New Year's Eve, just a few hours before midnight, ensuring that he will be around to keep the Valley activated for years to come.

While there's no guarantee that Arizona State will be back in the CFP a year from now, it's clear that the fan base at least believes in the direction of the program. Given how unstoppable the Sun Devils were at home this year, that's a massive development for Dillingham and his team.