How to Plan for the 2025 Allstate Red River Rivalry; Things to Know Before You Go

By State Fair of Texas | October 7, 2025

A time-honored tradition at the State Fair of Texas, the Allstate® Red River Rivalry between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners, has been played at the State Fair since 1929 – making 2025 the 96th consecutive neutral ground showdown. With a 2:30 p.m. Central Time kick-off, the State Fair is urging fans to arrive early to make sure they have plenty of time to go through security, not only into the fairgrounds but also into Cotton Bowl® Stadium for the game, and enjoy the State Fair of Texas along the way. The State Fair is also urging fans to be aware of updated safety and security measures – including a new clear bag policy – for the State Fair of Texas® and the Cotton Bowl Stadium by visiting BigTex.com/KnowBeforeYouGo.

Cotton Bowl Stadium Renovations

The single largest investment in Cotton Bowl Stadium’s history – an estimated $140 million renovation project – is well underway, with the first phase now complete. This phase honors the Stadium’s celebrated legacy and distinctive architecture with sweeping enhancements, elevating the fan experience. While visiting the State Fair of Texas and attending the Allstate Red River Rivalry this year, you will notice improvements to Cotton Bowl Stadium, including widened concourses and new escalators, increasing fans’ comfort level while entering and exiting the stadium. You will also see renovations to concessions and restrooms, plus an increase in the number of hospitality areas and premium environments, enhancing the speed of service for fans during events. The city also has plans for a second phase of significant renovations to the east side of the stadium in the future.

The University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma have agreed to a contract extension with the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas that will keep the historic Allstate® Red River Rivalry football game at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas through 2036.

Red River Rivalry Flag Tradition

We’re bringing back a new State Fair tradition for its second year: the Red River Rivalry Flag! In addition to the lights on the Top o’ Texas Tower and decorative lighting throughout the fairgrounds – including those illuminating the Hall of State, Tower Building, and along Nimitz Dr. and First Ave. – fairgoers can once again marvel at the massive flag display on the State Fair Midway near the 500-foot-tall Top o’ Texas Tower.

This dynamic tribute celebrates the fierce competition between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Leading up to the big game, the State of Texas flag will fly proudly in honor of the Lone Star State and its love of college football. Then, once a new winner is crowned and the Golden Hat Trophy awarded, the flag of the victorious team will be raised around 6:30 p.m. to celebrate their win.

Join us in honoring the spirit of rivalry, tradition, and Texas pride — and be sure to look up to see which team claims bragging rights this year!

Know Before You Go

Below are a few reminders for those attending the game at the State Fair of Texas on Saturday, October 11, 2025. All times are Central Time.

  • Due to a 2:30 p.m. local kick-off, larger crowds may already be out enjoying the Fair, so plan your travel to the fairgrounds accordingly.
  • The State Fair of Texas will open early – at 7:00 a.m. – to allow fans to arrive and enjoy the Fair before game time, so plan your travel to the fairgrounds accordingly.
  • All game tickets include admission to the most iconic pre-game party of the year on game day, the State Fair of Texas!
  • As a reminder, your game ticket will be your ticket to enter the State Fair and Cotton Bowl Stadium. Be sure to download your game tickets and save them to your phone before arriving at the fairgrounds in case of any connectivity issues due to the large crowds.
  • Opening at 7:00 a.m.:
  • State Fair Will Call opens at 7:00 a.m. The Will Call booth is located just outside of the fairgrounds at 816 S. Second Ave., across from the Music Hall at Fair Park.
  • Official State Fair parking lots are located at Gates 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15. All gates will open at 7:00 a.m.
  • The Fair encourages fans to take exit 48A towards Haskell Avenue off I-30 for quicker parking lot access.
  • Rideshare (taxi, Uber, Lyft, Alto, etc.) drop-off and pick-up will be located at Gate 1, which is located at Gurley Ave & S. Haskell Ave. (4200 block of Gurley Avenue).
  • Admission Gates will open at 7:00 a.m.
  • Coupon Booths and Online Coupon Pick-up Centers will open at 7:00 a.m.
  • Hospitality Centers and Information Booths will open at 7:00 a.m.
  • Opening at 8:00 a.m.:
  • Outdoor concessions, in addition to concessions inside the Tower Building Food Court, will open at 8:00 a.m.
  • The State Fair of Texas Midway will open at 8:00 a.m.
  • Opening at 9:00 a.m.:
  • All exhibit buildings, outdoor exhibits, and indoor concessions (except the Tower Building, which opens earlier) will open at 9:00 a.m.
  • Opening at 11:30 a.m.
  • Gates to the Cotton Bowl will open at 11:30 a.m. Beat the crowds and enter the stadium early for pre-game excitement. Concession stands inside the stadium will be open.
  • Cotton Bowl Stadium has completed phase one of renovations to improve the overall fan experience. You may be in awe as you walk into the newly updated west side of the stadium; however, please pay close attention to directional, section, and seat signage to help you quickly find your way to your seats. While not all renovations are complete, the work done so far marks the first phase of enhancements, with additional updates planned for the future.
  • Please note that all tickets are accepted at any gate, so you may enter through whichever gate is most convenient.
  • If your seats are in the newly renovated west tower (formerly press box), you should go to the elevators on the sides of Gate A to have your tickets scanned and enter.
  • We remind all fans and fairgoers to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen throughout the day.
  • For the safety of all game attendees, a clear bag policy is in effect for all events at Cotton Bowl Stadium within Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com/Sports for more details.
  • DART trains and buses will become more crowded as game-time approaches and at locations closer to Fair Park. For DART schedules, visit DART.org/StateFair.
  • All guests will be screened for weapons as they enter the State Fair. Bags, purses, coolers, and similar containers are screened as well and subject to search. Please read any signage and listen to gate attendants for directions upon entry.
  • There is a NEW Clear Bag Policy for the State Fair of Texas that requires clear bags upon entry to the event. Exceptions to this policy will be made for medical bags, parenting bags, and soft-shell coolers after proper inspection. Please visit BigTex.com/FAQ for the full policy.
  • A Clear Bag Policy is still in effect for football games inside Cotton Bowl Stadium.
  • We encourage all guests to read the Fair’s Guest Code of Conduct before entering the grounds, visit BigTex.com/CodeofConduct.
  • For a list of items allowed and not allowed at the Fair, visit BigTex.com/FAQ.
  • For a list of prohibited items inside the Cotton Bowl, visit BigTex.com/Sports.
  • After the game, stick around to enjoy the fun and attractions the State Fair of Texas has to offer.
  • Catch Matt Castillo on the Bud Light Stage in front of Cotton Bowl Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
  • Enjoy fireworks at the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation at 7:35 p.m. along the Esplanade or see Billy Law perform at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the Bank of Texas Stage in the Grove on Nimitz.
  • Headliner Paul Wall performs on the Chevrolet Main Stage on Lone Star Boulevard at 7:45 p.m.
  • The State Fair Midway is open on Saturday until 11:00 p.m.
  • Note: Buildings close at 9:00 p.m., except the Tower Building, which closes at 10:00 p.m.
  • For safety reasons, due to the anticipated large crowd, the nightly Drive Like a Texan Starlight Parade will not occur on Saturday, October 11.
  • For a map of the fairgrounds, visit BigTex.com/Map.
  • For a full schedule of events, visit BigTex.com/Schedule.
  • For a list of locations on the fairgrounds to watch the game, visit BigTex.com/WatchParty.

Author: KSST Webmaster

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