every september, the school and neighboring central community high school play a football event named the milk bowl. a traveling trophy in the shape of a traditional milk can is awarded to the winning team to hold for the following year. the event gives both schools the most profit out of all athletic games, activities, etc. and is evenly shared between both. the game's location alternates each year between the schools' football fields. mater dei high school also hosts an annual christmas basketball tournament beginning on december 26 every year since 1960.