SEC · Austin, TX
SEC · Norman, OK
The Red River Rivalry returns to Dallas for the 122nd meeting. Half burnt orange, half crimson — the Cotton Bowl split perfectly down the middle for one of college football's most electric and unique atmospheres. Xenia handles everything for fans coming from both sides.
2026 Red River Rivalry at a Glance
🏆 The Red River Rivalry
Dating back to 1900, Texas and Oklahoma have been meeting every October at the neutral Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas — making it one of the longest-running and most storied matchups in college football. The game has produced 11 combined national championships between the two programs and has been a defining October tradition for over a century.
How Xenia Can Help
We serve fans from both sides — Longhorn and Sooner
🏟️ Cotton Bowl Stadium — A Truly Unique Setting
Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park in Dallas has hosted this rivalry every October since 1932 — over 90 consecutive years at the same neutral site. The stadium is split exactly down the 50-yard line: burnt orange fills the north stands, crimson fills the south. The result is one of the most visually striking and atmospherically electric environments in all of college football. There is nothing else quite like it.
The Cotton Bowl contract between Texas, Oklahoma, and the City of Dallas runs through 2036, ensuring this tradition stays exactly where it belongs.
Your Game Day Experience
Whether you bleed burnt orange or crimson — Xenia has you covered
🧡 Texas Longhorns Fans
- North stands — the burnt orange side of the Cotton Bowl
- Texas is the "away" team in even-numbered years (2026)
- Driving from Austin? It's 3 hours north on I-35
- Flying? DFW and Love Field both 20–30 min from Fair Park
- Texas leads the all-time series 65–51–5
- Longhorns won the last meeting 23–6 in October 2025
- Hook 'Em visible from every corner of the north stands
❤️ Oklahoma Sooners Fans
- South stands — the crimson side of the Cotton Bowl
- Oklahoma is the "home" team in even-numbered years (2026)
- Driving from Norman? It's 3 hours south on I-35
- OU ticket will-call is outside Gates A and J
- Sooners need a bounce-back after 2025 loss in Dallas
- Boomer Sooner echoes loudest from the south tunnel
- Oklahoma looking to reclaim the Golden Hat trophy
🎡 The State Fair of Texas: More Than Just a Game
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs September 25 through October 18 — and the Red River Rivalry on October 10 falls squarely in the middle of it. Cotton Bowl Stadium sits inside Fair Park, which means walking to your seats takes you through Big Tex, award-winning fried food, rides, live music, and over 2 million square feet of Texas-sized entertainment. Arrive early and make a full day of it.
Dallas Game Weekend Guide
Everything you need to know for a Red River Rivalry trip
✈️ Getting to Dallas
- DFW International Airport — major hub, 30 min to Fair Park
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) — 20 min, Southwest Airlines hub
- Direct flights available from most US cities
- Driving: Austin 3 hrs south, Norman 3 hrs north on I-35
- Book flights early — October in Dallas is peak travel
🏨 Where to Stay in Dallas
- Downtown Dallas — central, close to DART rail to Fair Park
- Uptown Dallas — top restaurants, bars, and hotel options
- Deep Ellum — music and dining district, 5 min from Fair Park
- Hotels near Fair Park fill out weeks before game day
- Xenia books early and secures the best available options
🤘 For Longhorn Fans Traveling to Dallas
- Austin to Dallas: ~3 hours north on I-35
- Fly into DFW or Love Field — both under 30 min to Fair Park
- Texas is "away" in even years — tickets through UT Athletics
- North stands: arrive early to set the tone before kickoff
- Texas has won the last two meetings — momentum on the Horns' side
🅾️ For Sooner Fans Traveling to Dallas
- Norman to Dallas: ~3 hours south on I-35
- Oklahoma is "home" in even years — tickets through OU Athletics
- OU ticket will-call outside Gates A and J
- South stands — the crimson side of the Cotton Bowl
- DFW is the most convenient airport flying in from out of state
🚗 Getting to the Cotton Bowl
- Cotton Bowl Stadium: 3750 Robert B Cullum Blvd, Dallas 75210
- DART Green Line to Fair Park Station — easiest option
- Fairgrounds parking: $20/space, first-come first-served
- No tent/open flame tailgating permitted on Fair lots
- Arrive 2–3 hours early to walk the Fair before kickoff
🍖 Dining & Nightlife
- Deep Ellum: best pre and post-game bar scene in Dallas
- Pecan Lodge — legendary Dallas BBQ, reserve in advance
- Uptown: restaurants and bars packed on game weekends
- Bishop Arts District — eclectic dining neighborhood nearby
- State Fair food: Fletcher's Corny Dogs are an institution
What Our Clients Say
Ready for the 2026 Red River Rivalry?
122 years of history, one of college football's most electric neutral-site atmospheres, and the State Fair of Texas as the backdrop. Dallas hotels and Cotton Bowl tickets go fast on Red River weekend. Contact us now for tickets, hotel options, and a custom package — built for Longhorn and Sooner fans alike.