State Fair of Texas
Where College Football Meets Carnival
Texas and Oklahoma meet inside the State Fair of Texas at the Cotton Bowl. The game-day Fair crowds, split stands, and midway make this Dallas setting part of the rivalry.
About the State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is one of the largest and longest-running state fairs in the United States. Held annually at Fair Park in Dallas since 1886, the fair runs for 24 days in September and October.
Texas and Oklahoma have played at the State Fair since 1929. The 2026 game is Saturday, October 10.
Fair Facts
- • Founded: 1886
- • Duration: 24 days (Sept-Oct)
- • Attendance: 2+ million visitors
- • Size: 277 acres
- • Location: Fair Park, Dallas, TX
Game Day Special
- • Fair admission included with ticket
- • 200+ food vendors
- • 70+ rides and attractions
- • Live entertainment all day
- • Big Tex welcomes fans
Game Day Experience at the Fair
Morning: Fair Park Opens at 7:00 AM on October 10
The Fair opens early for the 2026 game. Arrive with time for Fair entry, a walk through the grounds, and a second security check at the Cotton Bowl.
- • State Fair parking and admission gates open at 7:00 AM on game day
- • Midway and outdoor concessions open at 8:00 AM; exhibit buildings open at 9:00 AM
- • Cotton Bowl gates open at 11:30 AM for the 2:30 PM kickoff
- • SEC Nation broadcasts in front of the Hall of State from 8:00 to 11:00 AM CT on October 10; arrive early if you want to join the audience
- • Try famous Fletcher's Corny Dogs for breakfast
- • Visit the auto show and other exhibits after their 9:00 AM opening
- • Take photos with Big Tex (55-foot-tall cowboy statue, rebuilt after 2012)
- • Ride the Texas Star Ferris wheel for aerial views
These are the State Fair's special October 10 game-day hours; ordinary Saturday opening times differ.
Midday: Pre-Game Activities (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
As kickoff approaches, the atmosphere intensifies. Fans in orange and crimson fill the fairgrounds.
- • Fan zones for both teams with games and activities
- • Live bands and entertainment
- • Face painting and team gear vendors
- • Last chance for fried fair food
Afternoon: The Game (2:30 PM Kickoff)
Texas and Oklahoma kick off at 2:30 PM CT on ABC. The stands are traditionally divided between burnt orange and crimson.
- • Cotton Bowl is walking distance from fair midway
- • Stadium split 50-50: orange vs crimson
- • Fair sounds provide unique backdrop
- • Ferris wheel visible from upper deck
Evening: After the Final Whistle
Allow extra time to leave the Cotton Bowl and reach your ride home. If you stay for the Fair's evening attractions, plan your return trip before joining the crowds.
- • Fair stays open until 10:00 PM
- • Victory celebrations at fan zones
- • Evening rides and attractions
- • More fried food (obviously)
- • State Fair fireworks scheduled for 7:45 PM on October 10
The final whistle is not tied to a fixed time. The Fair's evening show schedule is separate from the football game.
Plan your exit and return trip
- • Allow a buffer for crowded stadium exits, Fair Park walkways, and transit queues. Follow staff directions and keep exit routes clear.
- • If you use DART's dedicated shuttle, its game-day page lists the last return from Lot 8 at 8:00 PM. Before staying for the 7:45 PM show, check the live return plan in GoPass; finishing the show may leave too little time to reach that shuttle.
- • Keep your shuttle wristband for the return trip. If staying later, plan another DART connection or pickup before you arrive.
- • Cotton Bowl re-entry uses physical pass-outs issued only at halftime at Gates A, C, G, and J, with return through the same gate. Ask staff about Fair admission re-entry before leaving the fairgrounds; the stadium and Fair have separate entry procedures.
- • Review the Cotton Bowl bag policy before packing. Bags may be inspected; alcohol bought inside the stadium cannot be carried out into the Fair.
Check DART's game-day return guidance, our transportation guide for differing published shuttle times, and Texas's re-entry instructions.
🍔 Must-Try Fair Foods
The State Fair of Texas is legendary for its fried foods. If it exists, someone at the fair has probably tried to fry it.
Buy Food & Midway Coupons before joining a food line. Fair food, drinks, rides, and games use Coupons, valued at $1 each, rather than direct cash or card payments. Buy them online or at Fair booths with cash or a credit card; automated coupon kiosks also accept Apple Pay. Shopping exhibitors accept cash or cards and do not accept these Coupons. See the official payment FAQ. Check Cotton Bowl concession payment rules separately before entering the stadium.
🌽 Classic Must-Haves
- Fletcher's Corny Dogs
The original corn dog since 1942. A fair tradition. - Funnel Cake
Fried dough covered in powdered sugar. Simple perfection. - Turkey Leg
Giant smoked turkey legs. Feel like a medieval king. - Cotton Candy
Classic carnival treat in burnt orange or crimson.
🍗 Fried Everything
- Fried Oreos
Deep-fried cookies. Don't knock it till you try it. - Fried Butter
Yes, fried butter. This is Texas. - Chicken Fried Bacon
Bacon, battered and fried. Need we say more? - Big Tex Choice Award Winners
Annual contest for most creative fair food.
Pro Tip: Pace yourself! The fair is open before and after the game. Don't fill up on corny dogs and miss the second half.
🎢 Popular Attractions
Big Tex
The 55-foot-tall talking cowboy statue is the symbol of the State Fair. Everyone takes a photo with Big Tex saying "Howdy, folks!"
Texas Star Ferris Wheel
The 212-foot Texas Star offers elevated views of Dallas and Fair Park. Check the Fair's Midway information for current ride details.
Texas Auto Show
Browse the latest vehicles from major manufacturers. A tradition within a tradition.
Fair Park Museums
The African American Museum is in Fair Park at 3536 Grand Avenue. Check its hours and exhibition admission before visiting. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a separate trip to 2201 N. Field Street, outside Fair Park.
Why the Fair?
An Annual Fair Park Tradition Since 1929
Texas and Oklahoma played their last campus meeting in Austin in 1923. After a gap in the series, they resumed in 1929 at Fair Park during the State Fair, establishing the annual Dallas tradition.
The present stadium was built in 1930 as Fair Park Stadium. Texas and Oklahoma first played in the new stadium in 1932, according to UT's historical account. It was renamed Cotton Bowl in 1936; January 1937 marked the first Cotton Bowl Classic, not the rivalry's first game in the stadium. The start of the annual Fair Park series and the move into the new stadium are distinct milestones.
Sources: Texas's year-by-year series results, Fair Park's historical timeline, UT's account of the 1932 stadium move, and the Hall of Fame's stadium and bowl chronology.
Make time for the Fair as well as the game.
Plan your food stops, stadium entry, and ride home before arriving at Fair Park.
Experience Game Day at the Fair
Football, funnel cakes, and Ferris wheels—only at the Red River Rivalry