Red River Rivalry 2026 Date, Time, TV & Game Guide
Texas vs Oklahoma is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. CT in the Cotton Bowl. The game is also commonly called the Red River Showdown.
Game Information
Texas will be the away team in 2026 • Part of SEC Conference Schedule
October 10 entry and viewing times
State Fair parking and admission gates open at 7 a.m. CT. The Midway and outdoor concessions open at 8 a.m.; Cotton Bowl gates open at 11:30 a.m. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
A game ticket includes Fair admission. Save your mobile ticket before arriving and allow time for separate Fair and stadium screening. See the game-day timeline or plan your DART or parking route. The State Fair and Texas Athletics publish the early opening times.
Experience the Renovated Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl's $140 million west-side renovation debuted for the 2025 State Fair and Red River Rivalry. Fans in 2026 should continue to see those upgrades, while future east-side work remains a separate long-term phase.
New Amenities Include:
- ✓ 14 new escalators on west side
- ✓ Premium club seating areas
- ✓ Outdoor terraces with views
- ✓ Enhanced concessions
- ✓ Improved restroom facilities
- ✓ Modern WiFi infrastructure
What This Means for Fans:
- ✓ Faster entry and exit
- ✓ Better sightlines
- ✓ Luxury seating options
- ✓ Enhanced game day experience
- ✓ Modern stadium technology
How to Watch
📺 TV
Network: ABC
The SEC confirmed ABC for the 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff on October 10.
💻 Streaming
Use a TV or live-TV service that carries your local ABC station. Check your provider's current channel lineup before game day; the SEC's October 10 listing confirms the network and kickoff time.
📻 Radio
Texas: Longhorn Radio Network
Oklahoma: Sooner Radio Network
2026 Team Checkpoint
Texas Longhorns
2026 Record: 4-0, AP No. 1
Away Team in Dallas
Through September 26
Texas followed its wins over Texas State and Ohio State with a 30-6 win over UTSA and a 20-17 SEC road win at Tennessee. The Longhorns remain AP No. 1 in the October 4 poll.
Before Dallas
- • Oct. 3: open date completed
- • Oct. 10: vs Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, 2:30 p.m. CT
What changed
Texas stayed unbeaten through its first SEC game. Its road win was close, so the result is a useful checkpoint, not a guarantee for the rivalry.
Oklahoma Sooners
2026 Record: 2-2, unranked in the AP Top 25
Home Team in Dallas
Through September 26
Oklahoma beat UTEP and New Mexico, but lost at Michigan and then 41-13 at Georgia in its SEC opener. The Sooners are outside the October 4 AP Top 25.
Before Dallas
- • Oct. 3: open date completed
- • Oct. 10: vs Texas at the Cotton Bowl, 2:30 p.m. CT
What changed
Georgia converted Oklahoma turnovers into a major advantage. Ball security is a specific question for Dallas; September's road result alone cannot settle the matchup.
Recent Matchups
🏈 SEC Conference Context
Texas and Oklahoma joined the Southeastern Conference on July 1, 2024. Their first SEC season was 2024; 2025 was their second and 2026 is their third. This rivalry game counts as an SEC conference matchup with implications for:
🏆 SEC Championship
Win counts toward SEC standings and potential championship game berth
🎯 College Football Playoff
Major impact on 12-team playoff positioning and at-large bids
📊 Recruiting
Massive recruiting implications for Texas high school talent
Texas and Oklahoma are annual opponents in the SEC's nine-game conference format for 2026-2029. The SEC announced that four-season schedule on September 23, 2025; Texas's schedule announcement lists the Dallas matchup each year.
Game Day Experience in 2026
🌤️ Weather
For the October 10 afternoon game, check the latest Dallas forecast before leaving for Fair Park:
- • Look at the hourly temperature, rain chances, wind, and any alerts around the 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff
- • Bring sun protection and plan water breaks during your time outdoors
- • Recheck conditions on game morning and follow venue instructions if severe weather develops
National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas forecast and alerts →
🅿️ Parking
Cotton Bowl parking options:
- • Official State Fair parking: $25 per space
- • Gate 2: 925 S. Haskell, Dallas, TX 75223
- • RV parking uses separate rates and entry rules
- • Arrive early (2-3 hours before kickoff)
- • DART Green Line: Fair Park or MLK Jr. stations
🎡 State Fair of Texas
Your game ticket includes Fair admission!
- • 2026 Fair Dates: Sept 25 - Oct 18
- • Texas-OU's Cotton Bowl agreement runs through 2036
- • Try Fletcher's Corny Dogs
- • Check out the auto show
- • Ride the Texas Star Ferris Wheel
📋 What to Bring
- ✓ Mobile tickets
- ✓ Valid ID
- ✓ Cash or card to buy official Fair Food & Midway Coupons
- ✓ Sunscreen
- ✓ Team gear
- ✓ Clear bag no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, if needed
- ✗ Clear backpacks and larger bags
Fair food, drinks, rides, and games use Coupons rather than direct cash or card payments. Shopping exhibitors accept cash or cards, not Food & Midway Coupons. See the Fair's payment FAQ; check stadium concessions separately.
Planning Ahead for 2026?
Stay updated with the latest information and ticket details
2026 Planning FAQ
When is the 2026 Red River Rivalry?
The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
Is the Red River Showdown the same game?
Yes. Red River Showdown is another common name for the Texas vs Oklahoma Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl.
What time is kickoff?
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
Where should I go for venue details?
Use the Cotton Bowl Stadium guide for address, transit, seating, and game-day entry notes.
More quick answers are available in the Red River Rivalry FAQ.
Official 2026 planning sources Last verified: Game TV: October 5, 2026; operations: September 18, 2026
- SEC: October 10 television assignments (September 28) →
- Texas Athletics: October 10 game center (ABC) →
- Texas Athletics: 2026 football schedule →
- Oklahoma Athletics: 2026 football schedule →
- AP: October 4, 2026 Top 25 →
- Texas Athletics ticket announcement →
- Oklahoma 2026 student ticket policy →
- State Fair: sports ticket and admission FAQ →
- State Fair football and Cotton Bowl bag policy →
- State Fair 2026 FAQ, parking and admission →
- State Fair: 2026 Red River RV parking →
- DART: 2026 State Fair and rivalry game-day service →
- TRE: October 10 Red River special schedule →
Looking for the previous game? Review the 2025 Game →