Why the Red River Rivalry is Different: Traditions Explained

What makes the Red River Rivalry different from every other college football rivalry? The answer: everything.

It’s Played at a Neutral Site

Unlike most major rivalries that alternate between home stadiums, the Red River Rivalry has been played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas since 1932—neutral territory for both schools.

Why This Matters

Equal Atmosphere

No home field advantage
50-50 crowd split
Fair fight, always

Visual Drama

Stadium split down the middle
Texas (south): Sea of burnt orange
Oklahoma (north): Ocean of crimson
The 50-yard line divides fan bases exactly in half

Tradition Preservation

Same location for 92+ years
Generational family traditions
Predictable planning

This neutral site tradition is rare in college football. The only comparable rivalry is Georgia-Florida (also neutral site in Jacksonville).

It’s During the State Fair of Texas

The Red River Rivalry is the only major college football game played during a state fair.

The Fair Park Experience

Imagine this:

You arrive at 10 AM
Smell of corny dogs fills the air
Giant Ferris wheel looms over the stadium
Carnival music mixes with fight songs
Fair games and rides surround you

Then at 2:30 PM, you walk into a packed 92,000-seat stadium for one of college football’s biggest games.

No other rivalry offers this.

What’s Included

Your game ticket gets you:

Full State Fair admission
Access to 200+ food vendors
70+ rides and attractions
Multiple museums
Auto show
Live entertainment

It’s a football game and a festival.

The Golden Hat Trophy

Since 1941, the winner takes home a 10-gallon bronze cowboy hat painted gold.

Why It’s Perfect

Pure Texas/Oklahoma: A cowboy hat is quintessentially “Red River region.” It represents both states’ heritage and culture.

Simple but Iconic: No fancy crystal football. No sponsor logos. Just a golden hat. It’s been the same trophy for 80+ years.

Photo Opportunity: Every player wants their picture wearing it. It’s tradition.

Trophy History

Created by State Fair of Texas and University of Texas students
First awarded in 1941
Texas leads in total wins (63-51-5)
Oklahoma’s longest possession: 8 years (2000-2007)
Currently held by: Texas (as of 2024)

The Stadium Split

The Cotton Bowl’s 50-50 division creates a visual spectacle unmatched in sports.

The Colors

From above, it looks like:

South half: Solid burnt orange
North half: Solid crimson
The contrast is stunning

The Sound

Texas Side:

“Texas Fight” after every score
“Hook ‘em Horns” hand signs everywhere
Band playing burnt orange swagger

Oklahoma Side:

“Boomer Sooner” on repeat (and we mean REPEAT)
“OU” chants echo constantly
Sooner Schooner wagon after scores

The dueling fight songs create constant noise. It’s glorious chaos.

No Home Field Advantage

This creates unique dynamics:

Both Teams Travel

Texas: 195 miles from Austin
Oklahoma: 190 miles from Norman
Nearly equidistant
Both fanbases make the trip

Neutral Refs and Officials

No perceived bias
Fair officiating
Game decided on field

Hotel Drama

Both teams stay in Dallas hotels. There are stories of teams booking entire hotels, rival fans in lobbies, and pre-game tension in unexpected places.

The Red River Location

The rivalry is named after the Red River, which forms the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma.

Geographic Significance

The river literally divides the two states. Dallas sits just south of the Red River, making it perfect neutral ground.

Symbolic Battle

This isn’t just a football game—it’s a battle for state pride, played near the border that separates them.

October Timing

The game is traditionally held on the second Saturday in October during the State Fair.

Perfect Weather

Texas October: 70-85°F typically
Comfortable temperatures
Usually sunny
Ideal football weather

State Fair Peak

The fair runs September-October. Game day is always during prime fair season, ensuring maximum atmosphere.

Pre-Game Traditions

Tailgating with a Twist

Instead of parking lot tailgates, fans explore the State Fair:

Corny dogs instead of BBQ
Ferris wheel instead of cornhole
Fried Oreos instead of chips and dip

It’s tailgating meets carnival.

Big Tex

The 52-foot-tall talking cowboy statue welcomes fans. Everyone takes a photo with Big Tex before the game. It’s non-negotiable.

Fair Food Ritual

Eating a Fletcher’s Corny Dog before the game is tradition. If you haven’t had one, did you really attend the Red River Rivalry?

In-Game Traditions

The National Anthem

One of the few moments both sides unite. Then it’s back to war.

Mascots on Sideline

Bevo (Texas):

Live longhorn steer
Massive and intimidating
Stands on Texas sideline

Sooner Schooner (Oklahoma):

Covered wagon pulled by horses
Races onto field after OU scores
Once tipped over (1985—legendary moment)

Constant Fight Songs

“Boomer Sooner” vs. “Texas Fight” creates a battle of sound. Oklahoma’s band plays their fight song a lot. We mean a lot. Like, you’ll hear it in your sleep.

Post-Game Traditions

Golden Hat Ceremony

The trophy is presented on the field immediately after the game:

Winner gathers at midfield
Coach or captain hoists the hat
Team takes turns wearing it
Photos with trophy
Victory celebration

Locker Room Celebration

The Golden Hat travels to the winning locker room where real celebration begins.

Fair Celebration/Consolation

Winners: Return to fair for victory party
Losers: Drown sorrows in funnel cakes
Either way: The fair continues until 10 PM

What Makes It Special

Here’s what players and coaches say:

From Players

“You can play in NFL championships, but beating Oklahoma with 90,000 people split down the middle is something you never forget.” - Former Texas player

“The smell of corny dogs mixed with the roar of the crowd… there’s nothing like it in college football.” - Former Oklahoma player

From Coaches

“Managing your team’s emotions at the State Fair, in a neutral site, with the Golden Hat on the line… it’s coaching at its highest level.” - Anonymous coach

Modern Traditions

#RedRiverRivalry trends annually
Players trash talk respectfully
Fans share memories
Viral moments created

Recruiting Impact

High school recruits attend the game:

See atmosphere firsthand
Meet fans and alumni
Experience tradition
Often affects college choice

Family Traditions

Families pass down rituals:

Same parking spot for 30 years
Same fair food order
Same pre-game routine
Multi-generational attendance

There are families who haven’t missed a Red River Rivalry in decades.

Why It Works

The Formula:

Historic rivalry (120+ years)
Neutral site (fairness)
State Fair (unique atmosphere)
Golden Hat (iconic trophy)
Perfect timing (October weather)
Equal fanbases (50-50 split)
Geographic significance (border states)

No other rivalry has all these elements.

The Future

The game is contracted to stay at the Cotton Bowl through 2036. The tradition continues.

Commitment to Preservation

Both schools and the State Fair understand what they have. This isn’t just a football game—it’s a cultural institution.

Experience It Yourself

Reading about it doesn’t do it justice. You have to:

See the stadium split
Smell the corny dogs
Hear the dueling fight songs
Feel the October sun
Witness the Golden Hat presentation

It’s on every college football fan’s bucket list for a reason.

Comparison to Other Rivalries

Army-Navy: Great tradition, but played at different sites Michigan-Ohio State: Intense, but home-and-home Georgia-Florida: Also neutral site, but no state fair Alabama-Auburn: Home-and-home, different atmosphere

Red River Rivalry: Combines the best elements of all rivalries plus unique additions.

Bottom Line

The Red River Rivalry isn’t just different—it’s in a category of its own.

The neutral site. The State Fair. The Golden Hat. The stadium split. The October timing. All of it combines to create college football’s most unique experience.

Understanding the traditions helps you appreciate why fans, players, and coaches consider this game special.

Experience it once, and you’ll understand. Experience it in person, and you’ll never forget.

Explore More: