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Government Shutdown Could Affect Nebraska's Travel to UCLA

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 14:40 GMT by Sports Illustrated

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Nebraska Football’s 2025 Trip to UCLA Faces Uncertainty Amid Potential Government Shutdown

The University of Nebraska’s 2025 football schedule includes a high‑profile away game against the University of California, Los Angeles, set for early October at the Rose Bowl. While the Cornhuskers are excited about the opportunity to compete on a national stage, the looming threat of a federal government shutdown has raised concerns about whether the travel arrangements can be fully funded on time.

The game is part of Nebraska’s Big Ten conference schedule, but the Cornhuskers are scheduled to travel to California as part of a series of non‑conference matchups that help maintain national exposure and boost recruiting. According to the university’s travel policy, the football program typically covers the costs of flights, lodging, and ground transportation for the coaching staff, players, and a limited number of accredited fans. The total estimated cost for the trip is projected at roughly $1.2 million, which includes round‑trip airfare for 45 players and 15 staff members, hotel accommodations for 60 nights, and transportation contracts for the entire traveling party.

A government shutdown would disrupt the financial mechanism that underpins this travel. Nebraska’s athletics budget is largely funded through state appropriations, which are disbursed in accordance with the state’s annual budget cycle. The 2025 budget, as detailed on the Nebraska Legislature’s official website, earmarks $2.3 million for all athletic travel, a figure that is contingent upon the budget’s passage and the governor’s approval. In the event of a shutdown, these appropriations would be frozen, leaving the athletics department without the cash flow necessary to book flights and secure lodging.

“We are in a difficult position because the travel budget is tied to the state’s fiscal calendar,” said Athletic Director Laura Jansen in an interview. “If the government closes, we’ll have to scramble to find alternative funding or risk delaying the trip, which would affect the team’s preparation and potentially the game’s logistics.”

The issue is compounded by the fact that travel bookings for the Nebraska football team are made well in advance. According to the university’s travel office, the booking window for the 2025 UCLA trip closes in late February, when flights are locked in at the best rates. Delays in securing funds could push the team to book last‑minute flights, dramatically increasing costs and reducing flexibility in accommodation choices. The travel office is monitoring the situation closely and has already engaged with multiple airline partners to explore contingency options.

The potential impact extends beyond the team. The 2025 game is expected to draw an estimated 3,000 Nebraska fans, many of whom will arrange travel independently but rely on the university’s coordinated logistics for safety and convenience. “Fans are counting on the university to handle the travel logistics to ensure a smooth experience,” Jansen noted. “Any hiccup could not only disrupt their travel plans but also affect ticket sales and overall fan engagement.”

The University of Nebraska’s travel policy, available on its athletics website, emphasizes that all travel must comply with NCAA guidelines and state regulations. The policy also stipulates that any deviations from the approved budget must be documented and approved by the athletics director. In the event of a shutdown, the policy would require the athletics department to submit a revised budget request to the state legislature, a process that could take weeks or months.

While the university is exploring alternative funding sources, including alumni donations and corporate sponsorships, these avenues are not guaranteed to cover the entire travel cost. “We’re reaching out to our alumni network and corporate partners for emergency funding,” Jansen said. “But we want to be transparent with our fans and the community about the challenges we’re facing.”

The Nebraska Legislature’s budget committee, whose meetings are scheduled for early March, will likely address the issue of athletics funding in the context of the broader fiscal debate. If the budget is not passed before the shutdown deadline, the state’s travel funds for the athletics department could remain unfunded for the duration of the closure. The university has requested that the legislature include a provision for temporary funding to cover critical travel expenses, citing the importance of maintaining national exposure for the program.

In the meantime, the football team’s coaching staff is focusing on preparing for the game while keeping travel logistics as flexible as possible. Head Coach Matt Wells has indicated that the team will continue to practice on campus and will rely on virtual meetings with the traveling coaching staff until final arrangements are confirmed.

Nebraska’s 2025 travel to UCLA is a high‑stakes endeavor that could set the tone for the program’s future. As the state government grapples with budget negotiations, the Cornhuskers’ leadership remains vigilant, ready to adapt to any changes that may arise. Whether the government shutdown will ultimately derail the trip or be mitigated by swift legislative action remains to be seen, but the impact on the team, the fans, and the university’s financial planning is undeniable.