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 in historic Cotton Bowl Stadium. This year’s Red River Rivalry is a special one, as it marks the first time the game will be played with the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma as members of the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Allstate® Red River Rivalry will take place Saturday, October 12, 2024, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. Central Time.
We here at the State Fair of Texas, welcome you to join us in all the festivities surrounding this year’s big game. Below are just some of the many ways you can celebrate the iconic rivalry at the Most Texan Place on Earth. May the best team win!
Watch the Allstate® Red River Rivalry at the Fair
If you don’t plan on attending the game but still want to catch it amidst the State Fair atmosphere, we’ve got you covered! There are several sites across the fairgrounds where televisions will be tuned in to the annual Allstate® Red River Rivalry.
- Bluebonnet Roadhouse: Located near the Chevrolet Main Stage, the Bluebonnet Roadhouse has it all, with an indoor and outdoor bar and a large, covered patio. Several TVs are scattered throughout the eatery, making it ideal for sports fans. In addition, this eatery offers an extensive variety of craft beers, wine, frozen drinks, wine-based spirits, and a selection of bar-type foods.
- Cavalcade: Located near the Gateway Pavilion and Neon Tex, this brand-new State Fair seating area with several TVs lets you experience everything wrapped in bacon along with their new signature menu item the Candied Pork Belly Bacon Bites. Try your classic fair foods with a twist; funnel cake with brisket or spicy chicken and bacon-wrapped turkey legs. Inspired by the 1936 Texas Centennial, fairgoers can experience a variety of foods from sweet and savory to hot and cold. The Cavalcade will also have a live DJ!
- Canosaur’s Cantina: Located at Leonhardt Lagoon, Canosaur’s Cantina is a prehistoric paradise where ancient creatures and delectable delights merge to create an unforgettable experience and relaxing atmosphere for fairgoers of all ages. The Cantina will have tasty food for those young and young at heart, with items ranging from tacos and quesadillas that will fill your belly to adult beverages that will quench your thirst.
- Dickel’s Smokehouse: Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza near the Children’s Aquarium, Dickel’s Smokehouse has been a staple of the Fair for many years, this area is designed with a rustic charm, featuring circular bar seating options around trees. There will also be picnic tables for families to sit in the shade and try their traditional and modern barbeque foods.
- The Dock: Located inside the Embarcadero Building, The Dock is a great place to cool off in the air conditioning and enjoy a beverage from their fully stocked bar or a delicious Fernie’s Funnel Cake!
- Howdy’s: Located near the Children’s Aquarium, this new seating area, exclusively open on game days, will have plenty of seating and TVs to relax and watch the game. In addition, the fan-favorite game day food classics will be served here to give you a real game day experience, including pizza, wings, beer, and more!
- Magnolia Beer Garden: Located in the courtyard of the historic Magnolia Lounge, the Magnolia Beer Garden is a destination for any beer connoisseur. With a selection of Texas, craft, and international beers, there is something to please everyone’s taste.
Eat Fair foods you can’t find anywhere else
Take a bite out of the Big Tex Choice Awards finalist foods including the winners of Best Taste – Savory: Dominican Fritura Dog, Best Taste – Sweet: Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick, and Most Creative: Texas Sugar Rush Pickles, or indulge in special Texas and Oklahoma themed foods around the grounds like the Longhorn Caramel Apple or Crimson Candy Apple (Sweet Connie’s Candy Apples), Game Day Nutty Bars (Nevins Nutty Bar), Game Day Breakfast Mac (Mac Loaded), Huddle Up Honey Bun (Southside Steaks and Cakes), or the Austin Mimosa or Norman Cranberryosa! View the full list here.
Enjoy the iconic State Fair Midway
The State Fair Midway features more than 70 rides, including the Thrillway, the Kidway, the iconic 212-ft. Texas Star® Ferris wheel, the 500-ft. Top O’ Texas Tower and the 1914 Dentzel Carousel – not to mention enough Midway games to keep you entertained for hours! The State Fair Midway has something fun for fairgoers of all ages. The State Fair Midway is open on Saturday until 11:00 p.m.
Watch live music at the Chevrolet Main Stage
The concert series on the Chevrolet Main Stage is FREE with the price of admission. On Allstate® Red River Rivalry game day, you can catch Briscoe before the game at 12:00 p.m., watch the game on the big screen at 2:30 p.m., and stick around after the game to watch headliner St. Paul & The Broken Bones at 8:30 p.m. The Chevrolet Main Stage is the perfect place to start and cap off the Allstate® Red River Rivalry day with some live music. You can also watch Keegan McInroe & Band on the Bud Light Stage in front of Cotton Bowl Stadium at 7:30 p.m. or see Dingos Rock & Roll perform at 8:00 p.m. on the Yuengling Flight Stage in the Grove on Nimitz.