2025 Red River Rivalry: Parking, tickets, and State Fair guide

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: A general view of the Red River Rivalry logo at Cotton Bowl Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Are you a Sooner? Maybe you're a diehard Longhorns fan and are hopeful that Arch Manning can open a can of you-know-what on Oklahoma on Saturday.

The Red River Rivalry game is Saturday as Texas will face No. 6 Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

If you're taking a trip to Dallas for the Red River Rivalry, you'll need to know how to get around, where to park, and more.

If you didn't get tickets for the game or you're not there for football, that's OK. The State Fair of Texas is there, too.

Here is a guide to navigating your time at the Cotton Bowl and the Texas State Fair:

Where is the Texas vs. OU game?

The Red River Rivalry game is played annually at Dallas' Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, at 3750 The Midway, Dallas, Texas 75215. This will be the 120th game these teams will play in their long rivalry.

Here's a map to help you find the stadium:

What time does the Texas vs. OU game start?

The Texas-OU game has a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff. According to WFAA, the game is typically played at 11 a.m., so this marks a change.

From 1950 to 1972, the game started from 2 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. and later changed in the 80s and 90s to kickoffs between 11:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.

Where to park at the Cotton Bowl Stadium?

The State Fair of Texas will open at 7 a.m., so fans can arrive and enjoy the fair before game time.

For entry into the State Fair and Cotton Bowl Stadium, your game ticket serves as your admission pass. To avoid connectivity problems caused by large crowds at the fairgrounds, download and save your game tickets to your phone before arriving.

Here is a map of where you can park at the Cotton Bowl stadium.

What is the Cotton Bowl bag policy 2025?

The Cotton Bowl has a clear bag policy that can be seen here.

Bags that are clear and approved include:

• Bags or totes that are clear plastic and do not exceed 12” X 6” X 12”
• One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags
• Small clutch bags or purses do not have to be clear but can't exceed 4.5" X 6.5"

Prohibited bags include:

• Fanny Packs
• Mesh bags
• Straw bags
• bags
• Backpacks (clear backpacks are prohibited)
• Cases
• Large tote bags
• Diaper bags
• Large purses (4.5" X 6.5")

How many attendees does the Cotton Bowl hold?

According to FairParkDallas.com, the Cotton Bowl holds 91,000 seats.

Prior to the renovated stadium, when the old Cotton Bowl opened in 1930, it seated 46,000.

The Cotton Bowl, initially called Fair Park Stadium, was the centerpiece of Fair Park, an educational and entertainment hub constructed in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition. Fair Park is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. From the NFL Championship on January 1, 1967, to showcasing 23 Heisman Trophy winners, Cotton Bowl Stadium has witnessed many highlights over its 90-plus years.

See interactive map of Cotton Bowl Stadium

The Fair Park Dallas website has an interactive seating chart of the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Showdown, click here to see the map.

When does the State Fair of Texas end?

The 2025 State Fair of Texas runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 19.

Where is the Texas State Fair?

The State Fair of Texas is at the historic Fair Park, located at 3809 Grand Ave. in South Dallas. The 277-acre complex hosts over 1,200 activities annually and has the world's largest collection of art deco exhibit buildings, according to its website.

What time does the State Fair open? See hours

The State Fair of Texas opens early on Saturday to allow football fans to experience festivities before the game. Gates will open at 7 a.m. Due to the 2:30 p.m. kickoff time, organizers expect larger crowds and encourage attendees to plan travel to the fairgrounds accordingly.

State Fair Will Call opens at 7 a.m. The Will Call booth can be found just outside of the fairgrounds at 816 S. Second Ave., across from the Music Hall at Fair Park. Booths for coupons, hospitality and information also open at 7 a.m.

Guests can skip the long lines by purchasing coupons ahead of time at BigTex.com. Coupon orders should be picked up at a hospitality center within the fairgrounds, not a coupon booth. The personal who originally purchased the tickets must be there, and they must have the driver's license and credit card used on the order. Guests who cannot meet all requirements will be unable to redeem their coupon vouchers.

How much do Texas State Fair tickets cost?

Ticket prices also vary by age, and seniors half-price ($5) every Thursday:

• General admission: $15-$25
• Child (age 3 to 12): $10-$18
• Child (age 2 and younger): FREE
• Senior (age 60 and older): $10-$18

The State Fair of Texas also has daily discounts, available online or at the gate:

• Military Discount: $10-$15 (with ID)
• First Responder Discount: $10-$15 (with ID)
• McDonald's Voucher Discount: $10-$15

What is the Texas State Fair bag policy 2025?

A new policy implemented this year limits the size of bags guests are allowed to bring onto fairgrounds. All permitted bags are subject to search.

Approved bags include:

• Bags and soft-shell coolers cannot exceed 9 by 10 by 12 inches. Coolers must use ice packs or clear bagged ice; loose ice is no longer allowed.
• Medical bags and parenting/childcare bags can be larger but will be searched at all entry gates. Medical bags may contain medically necessary items, including but not limited to insulin, medication, portable oxygen, small soft pack coolers and breast pumps.

Prohibited items include:

• Bags and soft-shell coolers larger than 9 by 10 by 12 inches.
• Loose ice
• All firearms, clubs, explosive devices, ammunition, chemical dispensing devices, replicas or hoaxes, or other weapons of any kind
• Knives that are prohibited by state law

The State Fair does not have lockers or bag checks. Prohibited items or bags must be returned to vehicles or properly discarded. Security, staff and volunteers will not hold items.

Can you bring a gun to the State Fair of Texas?

You cannot bring a gun into the fairgrounds. The fair's weapons policy applies to all guests regardless of License to Carry, Constitutional Carry, Concealed Carry, and Open Carry of firearms anywhere on fairgrounds, including Cotton Bowl Stadium. This does not apply to current peace officers or qualified retired peace officers, whose credentials will be verified by Dallas Police Department officers during the screening process.