Red River Showdown
2026

Complete Guide: Attending the Red River Showdown 2026

Getting to Cotton Bowl Stadium

Cotton Bowl Stadium is located at 3750 The Midway, Dallas, TX 75210 within Fair Park. During the State Fair, traffic and parking demand are intense. Plan accordingly:

• DART Rail: The Green Line stops at Fair Park Station, offering direct access to the fairgrounds. This is the recommended option to avoid traffic and parking hassles.
• Parking: Fair Park offers multiple lots, but they fill early on game day. Arrive by 8-9 AM for prime spots, or consider off-site parking with shuttle service.
• Rideshare: Designated drop-off zones are available, but expect surge pricing and delays near kickoff.

Seating at Cotton Bowl Stadium

The Cotton Bowl splits evenly between Texas and Oklahoma fans—each school receives approximately 46,000 tickets. The stadium is divided at the 50-yard line:

• Texas Side: East stands (burnt orange)
• Oklahoma Side: West stands (crimson and cream)
• Lower Bowl: Closest to the action with the most intense atmosphere
• Upper Deck: Excellent sightlines of the entire field; more affordable options
• End Zones: Budget-friendly seats with full views of touchdown celebrations

Quick Reference: Red River Showdown 2026

• Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
• Kickoff: Time TBA (typically 3:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM CT on ABC)
• Venue: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Fair Park, Dallas, TX
• Capacity: 92,100
• Series Record: Texas leads 65-51-5
• 2025 Result: Texas 23, Oklahoma 6
• Trophy: The Golden Hat
• Setting: State Fair of Texas

How to Buy Red River Showdown 2026 Tickets

1. Browse available inventory from verified sellers in the listings above
2. Choose your side—Texas (East) or Oklahoma (West)—and select your preferred section
3. Review all-in pricing—displayed prices include all fees with no hidden charges
4. Complete secure checkout with buyer protection guarantee
5. Receive electronic tickets delivered before game day

What Is the Red River Showdown?

The Red River Showdown (formerly known as the Red River Rivalry and Red River Shootout) is the annual college football game between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. Played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas since 1929, the game takes place at a neutral site during the State Fair of Texas. The name references the Red River, which forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma. The winner receives the Golden Hat trophy—a bronze cowboy hat painted in the winning team's colors until the following year's game.

Historic Rivalry Moments

The Red River Showdown has produced some of college football's most memorable moments:

• 1963 – Darrell Royal's Defining Win: #2 Texas defeated #1 Oklahoma 28-7, launching the Longhorns toward their first national championship.
• 2000 – The Comeback: Oklahoma erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat #11 Texas 63-14 in Bob Stoops' second year, igniting a Sooner dynasty.
• 2005 – Vince Young's Statement: Texas quarterback Vince Young led the #2 Longhorns past #24 Oklahoma 45-12 on their way to a national championship.
• 2008 – Sam Bradford's Revenge: #5 Oklahoma demolished #1 Texas 45-35, with Sam Bradford throwing five touchdowns.
• 2018 – The Kyler Murray Show: #7 Oklahoma outlasted #19 Texas 48-45 behind Heisman winner Kyler Murray's 304 passing yards and 92 rushing yards.
• 2021 – Kennedy Brooks' Walk-Off: Oklahoma's Kennedy Brooks scored a 33-yard touchdown with three seconds left to stun #21 Texas 55-48.
• 2025 – Arch Manning's Arrival: Texas defense dominated as Manning led a second-half surge to beat #6 Oklahoma 23-6.

Both Programs in 2026

Texas Longhorns

Head coach Steve Sarkisian has rebuilt Texas into a perennial playoff contender. The Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff in both 2024 and 2025, with Arch Manning emerging as one of college football's elite quarterbacks. Texas's 2026 schedule is front-loaded with home games before a brutal November stretch at Missouri, LSU, and Texas A&M. The Red River Showdown falls perfectly in the middle of the season—a chance to make a statement before the stretch run.

Oklahoma Sooners

Head coach Brent Venables enters his fifth season looking to return Oklahoma to championship form. The Sooners' 2026 schedule is among the nation's toughest, with road trips to Michigan (Sept. 12), Georgia (Sept. 26), and the Red River Showdown in Dallas before the season is three weeks old. Oklahoma closes with home games against Texas A&M and a trip to Missouri. The Sooners will need to navigate one of college football's most demanding schedules to compete for an SEC title.

Follow Both Programs

• Texas Football: texaslonghorns.com
• Oklahoma Football: soonersports.com
• SEC Sports: secsports.com
• Texas Twitter: @TexasFootball
• Oklahoma Twitter: @OU_Football
• Cotton Bowl Stadium: fairparkdallas.com
• State Fair of Texas: bigtex.com

Frequently Asked Questions: Red River Showdown 2026

When is the Red River Showdown 2026?

The Red River Showdown 2026 will be played on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The SEC announced this date on December 11, 2025 as part of its complete 2026 schedule release. Kickoff time is typically around 2:30 PM CT (3:30 PM ET) on ABC, though exact times are announced closer to game day.

What is the Red River Showdown?

The Red River Showdown is the annual college football rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. The game has been played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas since 1929 as a neutral-site matchup during the State Fair of Texas. The name references the Red River, which forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma. It is one of college football's oldest and most intense rivalries.

Where is the Red River Showdown played?

The Red River Showdown is played at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas. The stadium has a capacity of 92,100 and splits evenly between Texas and Oklahoma fans. Fair Park is also home to the State Fair of Texas, which runs during game weekend, creating a unique atmosphere combining football and fair festivities.

What is the all-time record in the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry?

Texas leads the all-time series 65-51-5. The Longhorns won the most recent meeting in 2025 by a score of 23-6, with quarterback Arch Manning leading a dominant second-half performance. Texas has won three of the last four meetings and held Oklahoma without a touchdown in three of those four games.

What is the Golden Hat trophy?

The Golden Hat is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Red River Showdown each year. It's a bronze cowboy hat that is painted in the winning team's colors and displayed at that school until the following year's game. Texas currently holds the Golden Hat after their 2025 victory.

How much are Red River Showdown tickets?

Ticket prices vary based on section, row, and market demand. The Red River Showdown is consistently one of the most expensive regular-season games in college football due to limited supply and intense demand from both fanbases. Verified resale platforms display all-in pricing that includes all fees with no hidden charges.

How do I get to Cotton Bowl Stadium?

DART Rail's Green Line provides direct service to Fair Park Station, which is the recommended option during game day. For drivers, Fair Park offers multiple parking lots that fill early on game day—arrive by 8-9 AM for best availability. Rideshare services have designated drop-off zones but expect surge pricing near kickoff.

Which side is Texas and which side is Oklahoma?

The Cotton Bowl splits evenly at the 50-yard line. Texas fans sit on the East side of the stadium (burnt orange), while Oklahoma fans occupy the West side (crimson and cream). Each school receives approximately 46,000 tickets. When purchasing resale tickets, pay attention to section numbers to ensure you're sitting with your preferred fanbase.

Is the State Fair of Texas open during the game?

Yes, the State Fair of Texas runs during Red River Showdown weekend. Fans can enjoy fair food, rides, and attractions before and after the game. Fair admission is separate from game tickets. Many fans make a full weekend trip to experience both the game and the fair.

What time do gates open at Cotton Bowl?

Gates at Cotton Bowl Stadium typically open two hours before kickoff. Given the State Fair crowds and limited parking, plan to arrive early. Many fans spend the morning at the fair before heading to the stadium.

Is Texas vs Oklahoma still a Big 12 game?

No. Both Texas and Oklahoma joined the SEC in 2024. The Red River Showdown is now an SEC conference game, though it remains a protected annual rivalry that will continue to be played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The 2026 game will be the third meeting between the schools as SEC opponents.

Who are the head coaches in 2026?

Steve Sarkisian leads the Texas Longhorns, while Brent Venables coaches the Oklahoma Sooners. Sarkisian took over at Texas in 2021 and has led the program to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. Venables, a former Clemson defensive coordinator, is in his fifth year at Oklahoma.

Who won the 2025 Red River Showdown?

Texas won the 2025 Red River Showdown 23-6 over No. 6 Oklahoma. Quarterback Arch Manning completed 21 of 27 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while the Texas defense intercepted Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer three times. Ryan Niblett returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory.

Why should I buy from a ticket reseller?

Verified ticket resellers provide access to sold-out events and premium seating options unavailable through primary sellers. Trusted platforms like BigStub offer buyer protection, verified seller authentication, and all-in pricing with no hidden fees—backed by over 20 years of industry experience and the highest Trustpilot ratings among ticket sellers.

Can I attend both the State Fair and the game?

Yes, many fans do both. State Fair admission is separate from game tickets. The fair opens in the morning, allowing fans to enjoy food and attractions before heading to the stadium. After the game, the fair continues into the evening. Plan for a full day in Dallas to get the complete Red River Showdown experience.