The Red River Showdown – the historic gridiron clash between Texas and Oklahoma – is staying at the Cotton Bowl for at least another decade.
The football game will remain at the Fair Park icon through 2025, said Dallas civic leader Pete Schenkel, who led negotiations for the city and the State Fair of Texas. The previous deal had gone through 2020, contingent on the city making since-completed upgrades to the stadium.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is expected to formally announce the extension Tuesday afternoon at a news conference. The school’s boards of trustees must still approve the deal, but both athletic departments have signed off on the agreement, Schenkel said.
“The schools appreciate the venue,†said Schenkel, former chairman of the State Fair of Texas. “It’s more of an event, than it is a game.â€
The annual rite of fall – a highlight of the State Fair – is a marquee event for both the schools and the city.
Each school receives direct payments of $500,000 for playing in Dallas, along with a split of the ticket sales. And Dallas officials have estimated that the game provides each year an economic boost of more than $20 million in Dallas County.
But moreover, the long-term extension seems to cement a Dallas institution in Dallas.
While other of the city’s major games and events – including the Cotton Bowl’s eponymous postseason football game – have gone down Interstate 30 to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas-OU appears ready to stay in Fair Park for the long haul.
“There’s no question that’s a nice stadium out at AT&T, but we have a nice stadium, too,†Schenkel said, before pausing. “This is such a nice tradition.â€
Oklahoma and Texas have played at Fair Park since 1929.
The Cotton Bowl plays host to other noteworthy football games, including Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M and the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Given all the momentum surrounding Fair Park, Schenkel said he had a hard time seeing Texas-OU leaving the Cotton Bowl anytime soon.
“At the end at 2025, the game will be played here 97 years,†he said, looking ahead to future negotiations. “And I see no reason why we won’t go to 102 years.â€
Dallas Morning News
The football game will remain at the Fair Park icon through 2025, said Dallas civic leader Pete Schenkel, who led negotiations for the city and the State Fair of Texas. The previous deal had gone through 2020, contingent on the city making since-completed upgrades to the stadium.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is expected to formally announce the extension Tuesday afternoon at a news conference. The school’s boards of trustees must still approve the deal, but both athletic departments have signed off on the agreement, Schenkel said.
“The schools appreciate the venue,†said Schenkel, former chairman of the State Fair of Texas. “It’s more of an event, than it is a game.â€
The annual rite of fall – a highlight of the State Fair – is a marquee event for both the schools and the city.
Each school receives direct payments of $500,000 for playing in Dallas, along with a split of the ticket sales. And Dallas officials have estimated that the game provides each year an economic boost of more than $20 million in Dallas County.
But moreover, the long-term extension seems to cement a Dallas institution in Dallas.
While other of the city’s major games and events – including the Cotton Bowl’s eponymous postseason football game – have gone down Interstate 30 to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas-OU appears ready to stay in Fair Park for the long haul.
“There’s no question that’s a nice stadium out at AT&T, but we have a nice stadium, too,†Schenkel said, before pausing. “This is such a nice tradition.â€
Oklahoma and Texas have played at Fair Park since 1929.
The Cotton Bowl plays host to other noteworthy football games, including Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M and the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Given all the momentum surrounding Fair Park, Schenkel said he had a hard time seeing Texas-OU leaving the Cotton Bowl anytime soon.
“At the end at 2025, the game will be played here 97 years,†he said, looking ahead to future negotiations. “And I see no reason why we won’t go to 102 years.â€
Dallas Morning News