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Looking Ahead to 2026: The Red River Rivalry's Next Chapter in the SEC

• TheRedRiverRivalry.com

The Future is Here: Red River Rivalry in 2026 and Beyond

As Texas and Oklahoma settle into their new home in the Southeastern Conference, the Red River Rivalry has entered a fascinating new era. After Texas’ impressive 23-6 victory over sixth-ranked Oklahoma on October 11, 2025, all eyes now turn to what comes next: the 2026 Red River Rivalry matchup.

2026: Date, Time, and Location

The next Red River Rivalry game is expected to take place during the 2026 State Fair of Texas (September 25 - October 18, 2026), continuing the rivalry’s longstanding tradition of being played during the State Fair. The game will be played at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas—the 95th consecutive meeting at this historic neutral site.

Key Details:

  • Date: TBD (Expected during State Fair: Sept 25 - Oct 18, 2026)
  • Location: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, Texas
  • Meeting Number: 122nd in the rivalry’s history
  • Conference Setting: SEC rivalry (3rd consecutive year as SEC opponents)
  • State Fair Dates: September 25 - October 18, 2026

The Changing Landscape of College Football

The Red River Rivalry now operates within a fundamentally different college football landscape than just three years ago. Both Texas and Oklahoma are no longer Big 12 members; they’re SEC rivals, competing alongside powerhouses like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia.

This shift has profound implications:

1. Conference Prestige The SEC has long been considered the nation’s strongest conference. For the Red River Rivalry to be a conference game—rather than a Big 12 matchup—elevates the stakes immeasurably. Every SEC victory carries weight in the playoff race, and every conference loss has cascading implications for both programs.

2. Year-Round Competition Being in the same conference means Texas and Oklahoma now face each other not just once a year in this storied rivalry, but potentially more frequently through conference championship games or bowl matchups if they both qualify for important postseason events.

3. Conference Alignment Questions The 2026 game will be the third consecutive Red River Rivalry matchup as SEC members. By then, both programs will have completed a full transition to SEC football, with three years of recruiting under new conference circumstances and three years of adapting to SEC-style competition.

Historical Context: 125 Years of Tradition

The Red River Rivalry dates back to 1900, making it one of the oldest rivalry games in college football history. In 2025, Texas and Oklahoma played their 121st meeting. By 2026, that number will grow to the 122nd meeting between these historic rivals.

This longevity is remarkable in modern college sports. In an era of conference realignment and changing competitive landscapes, the Red River Rivalry has endured for over a century. The fact that these two rivals will continue to meet annually through 2036 (the contract extension just announced) speaks to the importance of this matchup for both universities and for college football as a whole.

What to Expect in 2026

Texas’ Trajectory

Texas enters the 2025 season with championship aspirations. If the Longhorns can finish strong this season and make a playoff run, they’ll enter 2026 with momentum. The question isn’t whether Texas will be competitive—it will be. The question is whether the Longhorns can establish themselves as a true SEC power that other conference competitors respect.

Texas has now beaten Oklahoma three times in the last four meetings, a dramatic shift in the rivalry’s recent balance. The Longhorns will enter 2026 as either:

  • A defending playoff team looking to repeat
  • A team hungry to return to the postseason
  • A program at a crossroads seeking a signature win

Oklahoma’s Situation

For Oklahoma, 2026 represents a crucial juncture. The Sooners have won 121 games in this rivalry but find themselves in a disadvantageous position against Texas of late. New coach Brent Venables is building Oklahoma’s program, and by 2026, his recruiting classes will be maturing.

The question for OU: Can the Sooners return to the form that made them one of the most dominant programs in college football history?

The SEC Landscape

By 2026, the SEC will be fully settled into its new composition. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma fundamentally changed the conference’s makeup. Other programs may have joined. The competitive balance will be clearer. The Red River Rivalry will exist within that context, potentially with higher stakes if both teams are conference contenders.

The Cotton Bowl’s Future: A Modern Transformation

The contract between Texas, Oklahoma, and Fair Park ensures the Red River Rivalry remains at the Cotton Bowl through 2036. This provides stability and tradition at a time when many college football traditions are changing.

The Cotton Bowl has hosted this rivalry since 1932 (with a few exceptions early in the series’ history). That 90+ year presence makes it truly one of college football’s most special neutral sites. The stadium continues to serve as the perfect neutral ground for this historic matchup, providing an unparalleled fan experience during the State Fair of Texas.

Key Storylines to Watch

1. Arch Manning’s Development By 2026, Arch Manning will be entering his senior season (if he stays for all four years). His performance against Oklahoma in 2025 was impressive, but 2026 will show whether he’s truly evolved into an elite college quarterback.

2. Transfer Portal Impact The transfer portal has reshaped college football. By 2026, both teams will have made significant portal moves. New players could dramatically shift the power balance.

3. Conference Dominance Which program becomes the true SEC power? If Texas establishes itself as a consistent playoff contender while Oklahoma struggles, that’s a massive shift in the rivalry’s narrative.

4. Recruiting Momentum In-state recruiting in Texas is crucial for both programs. How the rivalry plays out in 2025 will significantly impact recruiting for 2026 and beyond.

A Look at the Broader Landscape

The Red River Rivalry now exists in a college football world that’s fundamentally different from when this rivalry began in 1900. It’s survived:

  • Changes from college football to a playoff system
  • Conference realignments
  • NIL and transfer portal transformations
  • Expansions from 12 to 16+ team conferences

Yet the rivalry endures. Texas vs. Oklahoma will matter in 2026 just as it has for 125 years.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 Red River Rivalry will mark the 122nd meeting in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. Both teams will arrive with different levels of success from 2025. Both will be chasing SEC titles and playoff spots. Both will be desperate to claim the Golden Hat Trophy and bragging rights.

The Red River Rivalry isn’t slowing down—it’s evolving. And that evolution should make for compelling college football for years to come.

Mark your calendars: The 2026 Red River Rivalry continues in Dallas during the State Fair (Sept 25 - Oct 18, 2026). Specific game date TBD.