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. As of last year, the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma became members of the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC), making the annual matchup between the esteemed schools even more thrilling. The Allstate® Red River Rivalry will take place Saturday, October 11, 2025, 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.
Stiffler’s Rodeo Lounge: Located on Coliseum Dr., Stiffler’s Rodeo Lounge is the latest addition to the State Fair of Texas’ lineup of the best places to catch the big game. With two 4K televisions and one jumbotron, Stiffler’s Rodeo Lounge is a great place to catch the big game and cheer on your favorite team.
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 State Fair seating area with several TVs lets you experience everything wrapped in bacon, along with their signature menu item, the Candied Pork Belly Bacon Bites. Try the 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 to savory.
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 barbecue 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 or a delicious Fernie’s Funnel Cake while you watch the teams battle it out for the Golden Hat!
Juicy’s Texas Tailgate: Enjoy a thrilling sports-themed area conveniently located next to the iconic Texas Star Ferris Wheel! At Juicy’s Texas Tailgate, enjoy mouthwatering game-time snacks and the excitement of sports while surrounded by the fairgrounds’ vibrant energy.
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.
Rousso’s Fat Bacon: Located near the Children’s Aquarium, enjoy FAT bacon-packed eats with plenty of room to gather. Take a break from the Midway excitement, catch a game on the big screen, and watch the parade roll by. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of craft beers, wine, frozen drinks, and food for the whole family!
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: Crab & Mozzarella Arancini, Best Taste – Sweet: Chill & Thrill Delight, Best Taste – Sipper: Cookie Chaos Milkshake, and Most Creative: Texas Sugar Rush Pickles, indulge in one of the Fair’s many new food items, or stick to the classics! Find more information on BigTex.com/Food.
Take a stroll down Nimitz and see where you end up
Located on the back side of the Cotton Bowl, Nimitz Circle provides a diverse selection for all fairgoers to enjoy. Take in the sights and sounds of the Fair while adventuring through one of the Fair’s most action-packed areas. Featuring over 10 food vendors, activities, and exhibits, such as face-painting, caricatures, sponsorship activations, a petting zoo, and the Embarcadero Building, as well as the Creative Arts building, Nimitz has something for everyone. The Midway is just a few steps away for even more Fair fun.
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 Cameron Allbright 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 Paul Wall at 7:45 p.m. The Chevrolet Main Stage is the perfect place to start and cap off the Allstate® Red River Rivalry with some live music. You can also watch Matt Castillo on the Bud Light Stage in front of Cotton Bowl Stadium at 7:30 p.m. or see Billy Law perform at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the Bank of Texas Stage in the Grove on Nimitz.