So, you’re looking for the Red River Rivalry. You want to know exactly where to point your GPS or which channel to flip to.
Honestly, the answer is a lot more interesting than just a set of coordinates. If you're asking where is the Texas Oklahoma game, the short answer is Dallas. But it’s not just "Dallas" in the way a Cowboys game is in Arlington. It’s a specific, high-octane time capsule called the Cotton Bowl Stadium, sitting right in the heart of Fair Park.
The Geography of a Grudge
The game takes place at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. It’s been that way since 1929. Why Dallas? Basically, because it’s the halfway point. Austin is about 200 miles south; Norman is about 190 miles north. It’s a neutral ground that feels anything but neutral.
The stadium is located at 3750 The Midway, Dallas, TX 75215.
If you’ve never been, it’s a trip. You don’t just walk into a stadium. You walk through the State Fair of Texas. You’re dodging kids with giant stuffed pandas and smelling deep-fried butter while you head toward the kickoff. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s perfect.
Why the Location Never Changes
Most big college rivalries rotate between home stadiums. You go to Tuscaloosa one year, Auburn the next. But Texas and Oklahoma? They’ve got a "neutral site" contract that is virtually set in stone. In late 2023, both schools signed an extension to keep the game at the Cotton Bowl through 2036.
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There was a lot of talk about moving it. Some people wanted it at the fancy, air-conditioned AT&T Stadium where the Cowboys play. Fans were worried the 95-year-old Cotton Bowl was getting too "crusty."
The city of Dallas stepped up with a $140 million renovation plan. They’re adding escalators (finally), widening the concourses so you don't feel like a sardine, and fixing the bathrooms. Phase one finished in late 2024, and phase two is wrapping up just in time for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The 50-Yard Line Split
The coolest part about where the Texas Oklahoma game is played isn’t the stadium itself, but how the fans sit.
It’s a 50-50 split.
Burnt orange on one side.
Crimson on the other.
The stadium is literally divided at the 50-yard line. When a big play happens, one half of the bowl explodes, and the other half goes deathly silent. It’s a visual you don’t get anywhere else in sports.
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Upcoming Game Dates and Details
If you're planning your trip, you need the dates. The game is almost always the second Saturday in October.
- 2025 Game: October 11, 2025.
- 2026 Game: October 10, 2026.
Kickoff times are usually announced a few weeks out, but they almost always land in the "window" of 11:00 AM or 2:30 PM Central Time. Television rights usually rotate between ABC and ESPN, especially now that both teams have moved to the SEC.
How to Get There Without Losing Your Mind
Getting to Fair Park on game day is a nightmare. I’m not even kidding. If you try to drive and park at the fairgrounds, you’ll spend three hours staring at a bumper.
Pro tip: Take the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit). The Green Line drops you off right at the front gates. It’s crowded, but it’s better than paying $60 for parking and sitting in a gridlock on I-30.
If you do drive, aim for Gate 2 or Gate 15. Those tend to be the "easiest" entry points, but "easy" is a relative term when 100,000 people are trying to eat a Fletcher’s Corny Dog at the same time.
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Tickets: A Reality Check
Don’t expect to find cheap seats. Because the stadium capacity is split 50/50 between the schools, the "public" ticket pool is tiny. Most tickets go to season ticket holders first. On the secondary market (SeatGeek, StubHub), even the "nosebleeds" usually start around $400 to $600.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the "home" team gets more seats. Nope. Even though one team is technically designated as the "home" team (Texas in odd years, Oklahoma in even years), the ticket split remains exactly the same. The only thing that changes is who wears the colored jerseys and which locker room they use.
Another thing? People think the State Fair is just a backdrop. It’s not. Your game ticket actually includes admission to the fair. You can go in early, ride the Ferris wheel, look at the prize-winning livestock, and then head into the stadium.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you're actually going to be there, here is what you need to do:
- Download your tickets early. Cell service inside Fair Park is notoriously spotty because of the sheer volume of people. If your ticket is in the cloud, you might not get in. Save it to your Apple or Google Wallet before you leave the hotel.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk miles. Between the DART station, the fairgrounds, and the stadium stairs, your fitness tracker will be working overtime.
- Check the bag policy. The Cotton Bowl uses a strict clear bag policy. If your bag is bigger than a clutch and isn't see-through, you'll be hiking back to your car to leave it there.
- Eat BEFORE you enter the stadium. The food inside the Cotton Bowl is standard stadium fare. The food outside the stadium (at the fair) is legendary. Get your fried Oreos and turkey legs at the stalls before you head to your seat.
- Budget for Coupons. The State Fair uses a coupon system for food and rides. Each coupon is $1. Most meals will run you 15-20 coupons. Buy them at the kiosks near the entrance to avoid the massive lines deep inside the park.
The Red River Rivalry is more than a game; it's a bucket-list event. Now that you know where is the Texas Oklahoma game, the only thing left is to decide which side of the 50-yard line you belong on.