How to Plan for the 2024 Red River Rivalry; What to Know Before You Go

October 10, 2024 – State Fair or Texas – 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 2024 the 95th consecutive neutral ground showdown. As of 2024, these two esteemed schools are now housed under the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC), making for an even more anticipated match up after being named the top rivalry matchup in the SEC after conference realignment. 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 bag policy – for the State Fair of Texas® and the Clear Bag Policy for 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, TWO-YEAR RENOVATION PROJECT – is currently underway that 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 that Cotton Bowl Stadium is currently undergoing these exciting renovations. While these upgrades promise to elevate future events, we appreciate your understanding as we work through the construction phase. Please keep an eye on signage to ensure a safe and smooth experience during your visit. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we create an improved experience for all fans.

Improvements to Cotton Bowl Stadium include widening concourses and adding escalators, increasing fans’ comfort level while entering and exiting the stadium. This will also include renovations to concessions and restrooms, plus increasing the number of hospitality areas and premium environments, which will enhance the speed of service for fans during events. The first phase of renovations to the west side of the stadium is to be completed by September 2025. The city is also scheduled to finish a second phase of significant renovations to the east side of the stadium by September 2034.

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.

NEW TRADITION 

Introducing a vibrant new tradition to the State Fair of Texas: the RED RIVER RIVALRY FLAG! In addition to the lights on the Top o’ Texas Tower and decorative lighting throughout the fairgrounds – like those shining on the Hall of State, Tower Building, and along Nimitz Dr. and First Ave. – fairgoers can now marvel at the massive flag featuring the previous year’s winner of this iconic college football rivalry, proudly displayed 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 and celebrates the bragging rights of each year’s winner. Depending on the outcome of the 2024 game, the flag for the winning team will be raised after the game – around 6:30 p.m. Join us in honoring the spirit of rivalry and college football fan pride. Leading into the game the following year, the prior year’s winning flag will be displayed ahead of the game until a new winner is crowned with the historic Golden Hat Trophy. Keep an eye out for the flag each year to see who reigns supreme!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO 

Below are a few reminders for those attending the game at the State Fair of Texas on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024. 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).
  • Coupon Booths and Online Coupon Pick-up Centers will open at 7:00 a.m.
    • Purchase coupons ahead of time at BigTex.com and skip the long lines. Pick up your coupon orders at a Hospitality Center instead of a Coupon Booth. Be sure the original purchaser is present, as well as the matching driver’s license and credit card used on the order. Guests will not be able to redeem their coupon vouchers if all requirements are not met.
  • 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.
  • SEC NETWORK: The State Fair of Texas is thrilled to welcome the SEC NETWORK LIVE FROM THE RED RIVER RIVALRY for the first time. Fans can join the audience in front of the HALL OF STATE INSIDE THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS on FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE PAUL FINEBAUM SHOW STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. and on SATURDAY MORNING FOR MARTY & MCGEE STARTING AT8:00 A.M. followed by SEC NATION STARTING AT 9:00 A.M., all Texas time. Fans are urged to arrive early. 
    • To kick off the weekend, on Friday, October 11, The Paul Finebaum Show presented by Johnsonville celebrates #FinebaumFriday from 2:00-6:00 p.m. CT from the SEC Nation set in front of the Hall of State inside the State Fair of Texas, as well as on SEC Network and ESPN Radio. 
    • Marty & McGee presented by Old Trapper starts your Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 a.m. CT from the same site location at the State Fair of Texas and network, as well as on SEC Network and ESPN Radio. 
    • SEC Nation presented by Regions Bank will be at the State Fair of Texas on Saturday, October 12 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. CT as well as on SEC Network and is available for streaming through the ESPN App. 
    • Fans may bring flags and signs that celebrate the Red River Rivalry for this live show through State Fair gates up until 9:00 a.m. No vulgar signs, .com, .net, .org, political, or religious signs are allowed. They must be discarded in a trash receptacle after the show before enjoying the Fair and/or entering Cotton Bowl Stadium. The State Fair of Texas reserves the right to confiscate and discard inappropriate signage. 
      • For more details on sign regulations for SEC Nation, please visit https://www.secsports.com/championships/sec-nation#faq. 
• 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 12:30 P.M.
  • Gates to the Cotton Bowl will open at 12:30 p.m. Beat the crowds and enter the stadium early for pre-game excitement. Concessions stands inside the stadium will be open.
    • Cotton Bowl Stadium is being renovated to improve the overall fan experience, so please look for special directional signage throughout the grounds to assist with guiding you to your gate into the stadium. While you won’t notice many changes to the fan experience this year, the work done so far is to prep for updates to be made over the next year ahead of the 2025 Allstate Red River Rivalry.
    • Cotton Bowl Gates A, C, G, and L will have the highest capacity.
  • BARSTOOL SPORTS: The State Fair of Texas is excited to welcome the Barstool College Football Show LIVE from the Red River Rivalry for the first time. Fans can join the audience for the BARSTOOL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOW hosted by Kayce Smith, Dave Portnoy, Dan Big Cat Katz, and Brandon Walker, with Big Ev, on the State Fair Midway – near the Top o’ Texas Tower on the Thrillway portion of the Midway – AT 12:30 P.M. TEXAS TIME.
• 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/Football 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.
  • A Clear Bag Policy is still in effect for football games inside Cotton Bowl Stadium.
  • There is a NEW bag policy for the State Fair of Texas, which includes no bags or coolers larger than 9”x10”x12”.
• 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/Football.
• After the game, stick around to enjoy the fun and attractions the State Fair of Texas has to offer.
  • Catch Keegan McInroe & Band on the Bud Light Stage in front of Cotton Bowl Stadium
  • Enjoy fireworks at the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation at 8:00 p.m. along the Esplanade or see Dingos Rock & Roll perform at 8:00 p.m. on the Yuengling Flight Stage in the Grove on Nimitz.
  • Headliner St. Paul and the Broken Bones performs on the Chevrolet Main Stage on Lone Star Boulevard at 8:30 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 Kroger Starlight Parade will not occur on Saturday, October 12.
• 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.
• For a list of Red River Rivalry-themed foods, visit BigTex.com/RRRFood.

All game tickets include admission to the State Fair of Texas. With more than 100 things to do every day, all included with admission, the State Fair of Texas is the best tailgate experience of the year. The 2024 State Fair runs through Sunday, October 20.