Cotton Bowl Stadium Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas has been home to the Red River Rivalry since 1932. Here’s everything you need to know about this historic venue.

Stadium Overview

Location: Fair Park, 3750 Midway Plaza, Dallas, TX 75210

Capacity: 92,100

Built: 1930 (renovated multiple times)

Surface: Artificial turf

Notable Feature: One of the few major stadiums located within a state fairground

Getting There

Driving Directions

From Downtown Dallas:

Take I-30 East to Exit 47A
Follow signs to Fair Park
10-minute drive, traffic permitting

From DFW Airport:

I-635 South to I-30 East
Exit at Fair Park
30-40 minutes without traffic

From Austin:

I-35 North to Dallas
Merge onto I-30 East
Approximately 3 hours

From Oklahoma City:

I-35 South to Dallas
I-30 East to Fair Park
Approximately 3-3.5 hours

Parking

Parking lots open 3-4 hours before kickoff.

Options:

Lot A-F (closest to stadium): $40-60
Overflow lots: $20-35
VIP parking: $75-100

Pro Tips:

Arrive early (2+ hours before kickoff)
Prepay online for guaranteed spot
Cash may be required at some lots

Public Transportation

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit):

Green Line to Fair Park Station
Walking distance to stadium
Affordable and convenient
Avoid traffic and parking hassle

Rideshare:

Designated Uber/Lyft zones
Expect surge pricing ($50+ from downtown)
Allow extra time for pickup after game

Seating Layout

Lower Bowl

Texas Sections: 1-26 Oklahoma Sections: 101-126

Best for:

Close to action
Player-level perspective
Worth the premium

Considerations:

Limited view of replays
May miss some field action
Sun exposure in some sections

Upper Deck

Rows: Generally 30-70+

Best for:

Full field view
Budget-conscious fans
Seeing plays develop

Considerations:

Steep stairs
Higher altitude
Farther from field

Club Seating

Sections: Select midfield areas

Includes:

Climate-controlled concourse
Premium food options
Cushioned seats
Private restrooms

Cost: $2,500-5,000+

The 50-Yard Line

The stadium is split exactly in half:

Texas fans south (burnt orange sea)
Oklahoma fans north (crimson tide)
Dramatic color division
Unique photo opportunity

Stadium Amenities

Concessions

Traditional Fair Food:

Fletcher’s Corny Dogs (stadium locations)
Nachos and cheese
Hot dogs and hamburgers
Popcorn and peanuts

Drinks:

Soft drinks
Bottled water ($5-7)
Coffee
No alcohol (per Cotton Bowl policy)

Pro Tip: Eat at State Fair before game for better food variety

Restrooms

Located on all concourse levels
Expect long lines at halftime
Plan bathroom breaks strategically
Family restrooms available

WiFi and Cell Service

Stadium WiFi available (can be spotty with 90K+ users)
Cell service usually congested
Download tickets before arrival
Don’t rely on connectivity

ATMs

Multiple ATM locations throughout stadium
Expect service fees
Bring cash for Fair vendors

Prohibited Items

NOT Allowed:

Large bags (bags must be clear, 12x6x12” max)
Backpacks
Outside food/drinks
Weapons of any kind
Selfie sticks
Umbrellas (large)
Noisemakers
Alcoholic beverages

Allowed:

Clear plastic bags
Small clutch purses (4.5x6.5”)
Binoculars
Cameras
Phone chargers
Seat cushions (without pockets)
Small umbrellas

Bag Policy: Clear bag policy strictly enforced. Visit Cotton Bowl website for full details.

Accessibility

ADA Seating

Available in all sections
Elevator access to all levels
Companion seats included
Request when purchasing tickets

Mobility

Ramps and elevators throughout
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms
Service animals permitted
Golf cart transport available (limited)

Assistive Services

Closed captioning on video boards
Assistive listening devices (limited)
Contact stadium in advance

Game Day Timeline

Recommended Schedule

9:00 AM - Gates open at State Fair

Arrive early to beat crowds
Explore fairgrounds
Try corny dogs

11:00 AM - Head toward stadium area

Tailgating in full swing
Fan zones open
Pre-game activities

1:00 PM - Enter stadium

Beat the rush
Find your seats
Check out the view
Use restroom before kickoff

2:30 PM - Kickoff

Game time!
Stand for national anthem
Enjoy the rivalry

6:00 PM - Post-game

Golden Hat presentation
Victory celebrations
Exit strategically

Weather Considerations

October in Dallas

Typical Conditions:

Temperature: 70-85°F
Sunny to partly cloudy
Low chance of rain
Can be warm in direct sun

What to Bring:

Sunscreen (important!)
Hat or visor
Sunglasses
Light jacket for evening

What to Wear:

Team colors (obviously)
Comfortable shoes
Layers (temperature changes)
Consider sun position for your seats

Food and Drink Strategy

Before the Game

Eat substantial meal at State Fair
Try Texas classics:
- Fletcher’s Corny Dogs
- Fried everything
- BBQ
- Funnel cakes

During the Game

Stadium concessions are basic
Prices are high ($5-15 per item)
Lines are long
Go before halftime or wait until 3rd quarter

Stay Hydrated

Bring empty water bottle (fill inside)
Or budget $6-8 per bottled water
Texas October heat requires hydration

Photography Tips

Best Photo Spots

Stadium Split: Capture orange vs. crimson from upper deck
Big Tex: With stadium in background
Your seat view: Before game starts
Team entrance: If you arrive early
Post-game celebration: If your team wins

Video Board

Two large video boards
Great for replays
Sometimes better view than live action (upper deck)
Check it during TV timeouts

Family-Friendly Tips

Bringing Kids

Best seats for families:

Upper deck (easier bathroom access)
Aisle seats (quick exit)
Sections near concessions

Entertainment:

Fair activities before game
Mascot appearances
Halftime shows
Scoreboard games

Considerations:

It’s loud (bring ear protection for young kids)
It’s long (3+ hours)
Lots of walking
Bring snacks and entertainment

Safety and Security

Entry Checkpoints

Metal detectors at all gates
Bag checks
Ticket scans
Allow extra time

Emergency Procedures

Medical stations on all levels
Security present throughout
Emergency exits clearly marked
PA system announcements

Lost and Found

Located at main office
Report lost items immediately
Check after game

Post-Game Exit Strategy

Avoid the Crush

Option 1: Wait 15-20 minutes

Let crowds thin
Enjoy post-game atmosphere
Watch celebrations

Option 2: Leave early (if losing)

Beat traffic
Get to car first
Skip victory celebrations

Option 3: Head to Fair

Continue the party
Fair open until 10 PM
Rides and attractions

Transportation

Rideshare pickup zones congested
Public transit may have delays
Walking to distant parking can be faster than waiting

Stadium Traditions

Pre-Game

National anthem
Team introductions
Sooner Schooner appearance (OU)
Bevo on sideline (Texas)

During Game

Fight songs constantly
“Boomer Sooner” (OU side)
“Texas Fight” (Texas side)
Crowd noise battles

Post-Game

Golden Hat Trophy presentation
Victory celebration
Team stays to celebrate with fans

Insider Tips

Bathroom breaks: Go early in 2nd quarter, avoid halftime
Concessions: Upper deck lines often shorter
Sun exposure: West side gets afternoon sun
Seat cushions: Bleachers are hard, bring padding
Phone battery: Bring portable charger
Exit route: Scout it before game
Meeting spot: Establish with your group
Weather app: Check forecast game day
Cash: Some vendors still cash-only
Arrive early: Best advice for stress-free experience

Stadium History

Built in 1930, the Cotton Bowl has hosted:

92 consecutive Red River Rivalry games (since 1932)
Cotton Bowl Classic (1937-2009)
NFL games (Dallas Cowboys 1960-1971)
Multiple college football championships
International soccer matches

The stadium is a National Historic Landmark and an iconic venue in college football.

Future Renovations

Cotton Bowl undergoes periodic upgrades:

Latest renovation: 2008
Continued improvements to facilities
Commitment to host rivalry through 2036

Nearby Attractions

Before or after the game:

State Fair of Texas - Included with ticket
Fair Park Museums - Multiple options
Dallas Arboretum - 15 minutes away
Downtown Dallas - 10 minutes away
Deep Ellum - Entertainment district

Final Checklist

✅ Mobile tickets downloaded ✅ Clear bag packed ✅ Sunscreen applied ✅ Water bottle (empty for security) ✅ Portable charger ✅ Cash for Fair vendors ✅ Seat cushion ✅ Team gear ✅ Meeting spot designated ✅ Transportation planned

Bottom Line

The Cotton Bowl Stadium is more than just a venue—it’s an integral part of the Red River Rivalry experience. The unique atmosphere, split crowd, and State Fair setting create memories that last a lifetime.

Key Takeaways:

Arrive early (seriously)
Bring cash and portable charger
Follow clear bag policy
Stay hydrated
Enjoy the atmosphere

Ready to experience game day at the Cotton Bowl? Get your tickets here

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