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The University of Oklahoma Sooners are set to clash with the University of Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Oct. 10, in the 2026 Allstate Red River Rivalry. For the 97th straight year, the iconic matchup will take place at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, nestled within the bustling State Fair of Texas.
Before heading to the game, fans are urged to review safety and security protocols to ensure a smooth experience.
What to Know Before the Red River Rivalry Game
- Arrive early and allow extra time for traffic, parking, and security screening.
- The State Fair of Texas opens at 7:00 a.m. on game day.
- Game tickets grant entry to both the State Fair and the Cotton Bowl Stadium.
- Tickets can be downloaded and saved to mobile devices.
- Official State Fair parking lots are at Gates 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 15.
- Rideshare drop-off and pick-up (taxi, Uber, Lyft, Alto, etc.) is at Gate 1 Cotton Bowl.
Safety and Security Measures
- Cotton Bowl gates open at 11:30 a.m.
- Pay close attention to directional, section, and seat signage to locate your seats.
- All tickets are accepted at any gate.
- For seats in the newly renovated west tower (formerly the press box), use the elevators on the sides of Gate A to have tickets scanned.
- A clear bag policy is enforced for all events at Cotton Bowl Stadium.
- DART trains and buses are available for transportation.
- All guests will be screened for weapons upon entering the State Fair.
- Bags, purses, coolers, and similar containers will be screened and subject to search.
SEC Network Information
Fans can join the SEC Network LIVE 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 p.m., and on Saturday morning for SEC Nation starting at 8 a.m. Fans may bring appropriate flags and signs that celebrate the Red River Rivalry for this live show through State Fair gates up until 9:00 a.m.
Red River Rivalry Flag Tradition
For a third consecutive year, fairgoers can marvel at the massive flag display on the State Fair Midway near the 500-foot-tall Top o Texas Tower. The tradition showcases the competition between the Sooners and the Longhorns. The State of Texas flag will fly in honor of the Lone Star State and its love of college football. Once a new winner is crowned and the Golden Hat Trophy is awarded, the flag of the victorious team will be raised around 6:30 p.m. to celebrate their win.
Links to Frequently Asked Questions and More
- Fairs Guest Code of Conduct: BigTex.com/CodeofConduct
- List of items allowed and not allowed: BigTex.com/FAQ
- List of prohibited items inside the Cotton Bowl: BigTex.com/Sports
- Map of the fairgrounds: BigTex.com/Map
- Full schedule of events: BigTex.com/Schedule
- List of locations on the fairgrounds to watch the game: BigTex.com/Blog
- DART schedules: DART.org/StateFair
- Details on sign regulations for SEC Nation: https://www.secsports.com/championships/sec-nation#faq
Originally reported by news9.