Who Plays at the Cotton Bowl? Teams and Events Explained

By Sarah Miller · October 19, 2052

The Cotton Bowl is primarily played at by college football teams, most notably during the annual Cotton Bowl Classic, which features top NCAA teams, and historically hosted the Red River Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma.

Overview of the Cotton Bowl Stadium and Its Significance

The Cotton Bowl Stadium, located in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas, has been a cornerstone of American college football since it opened in 1932. Known for its historic charm and vibrant atmosphere, the venue regularly hosts major college football matchups, including postseason bowl games and marquee regular-season contests.

Key Events Held at the Cotton Bowl

Cotton Bowl Classic: An annual NCAA-sanctioned bowl game typically featuring teams from the SEC and Big 12 conferences.
Red River Showdown: The rivalry game between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners, held annually during the State Fair of Texas.
High School Football Championships: Various state-level high school playoff games.
Soccer Matches and Special Events: Including international friendlies and concerts.

College Teams That Play at the Cotton Bowl

While no team calls the Cotton Bowl a permanent home stadium, several collegiate programs play there annually due to longstanding event agreements.

Regular Participants

The following teams are most frequently seen competing at the Cotton Bowl:

University of Texas Longhorns – Compete annually in the Red River Showdown.
University of Oklahoma Sooners – Opponent in the Red River Rivalry.
SEC and Big 12 Conference Teams – Selected annually for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, especially when part of the College Football Playoff rotation.

Year	Event	Team 1	Team 2	Attendance	Result
2023	Cotton Bowl Classic	Washington	Tennessee	78,126	Washington won 37–31
2023	Red River Showdown	Texas	Oklahoma	95,428	Texas won 34–3
2022	Cotton Bowl Classic (CFP)	TCU	Michigan	92,122	TCU won 51–45
2022	Red River Showdown	Texas	Oklahoma	92,132	Texas won 49–0
2021	Cotton Bowl Classic	Alabama	Cincinnati	84,919	Alabama won 27–6

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The attendance figures highlight the enduring popularity of games at the Cotton Bowl, with the Red River Showdown consistently drawing over 90,000 fans annually. The 2022 CFP matchup between TCU and Michigan was one of the highest-attended non-championship playoff games in recent years, reflecting the stadium’s continued relevance in major college football events.

Historical and Cultural Impact

The Cotton Bowl not only serves as a venue but also symbolizes tradition in American sports. Its role in launching the Cotton Bowl Classic in 1937 cemented its status as a New Year's Six bowl game. From 2014 to 2025, it has rotated as a host site for College Football Playoff semifinals, further elevating its prestige.

Notable Moments

First integrated Cotton Bowl game in 1948 featuring Penn State.
Hosted multiple College Football Playoff semifinals: 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025.
Annual home of the Red River Showdown since 1932, one of the most-watched regular-season college football games.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Plays at the Cotton Bowl

Who plays in the Cotton Bowl Classic every year?

The Cotton Bowl Classic typically features a top team from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) against a top team from the Big 12 Conference. When part of the College Football Playoff rotation, it hosts a semifinal matchup between two of the nation's top four ranked teams.

Do the Texas Longhorns play their home games at the Cotton Bowl?

No, the Texas Longhorns play their regular home games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. However, they play annually at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas for the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma.

Why do Texas and Oklahoma play at the Cotton Bowl instead of their home stadiums?

The Red River Showdown is held at the Cotton Bowl to maintain neutrality and tradition. The location in Dallas allows both fan bases equal access and coincides with the State Fair of Texas, creating a major cultural and economic event.

Has the Cotton Bowl hosted NFL or professional football games?

The Cotton Bowl briefly hosted the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s before they moved to Texas Stadium. It has not hosted an NFL regular-season game since 1971 but remains dedicated primarily to college football and special events.

Will the Cotton Bowl continue to host playoff games after 2025?

Yes, under the current College Football Playoff agreement through 2025, the Cotton Bowl is a designated host site for semifinal games. Future hosting beyond 2025 will depend on the structure of the expanded 12-team playoff beginning in 2026.