5 Must‑See Football Showdowns This Fall in Dallas
September heralds the kickoff of the football season, and Dallas is primed with a lineup of high‑stakes games every weekend. From Friday night lights to iconic State Fair matchups and storied college rivalries, here are the five matchups you can’t afford to miss this fall.
1. AdvoCare Classic
The AdvoCare Classic—formerly the Cowboys Classic—was launched in 2009 to pit two of college football’s elite programs against one another. This season, the AT&T Stadium will host the LSU Tigers versus the Miami Hurricanes, a face‑off last seen in 2005. Both teams are ranked in the Top 25, promising a battle to the finish.
2. Cotton Bowl Stadium Prep Showcase
High school football in Texas is a tradition, and the Cotton Bowl Stadium Prep Showcase on September 7‑8 showcases eight area high‑school teams in four action‑packed games. Check the schedule and purchase tickets at the gate or through the participating schools.
3. State Fair Classic
The State Fair of Texas has long hosted college games during its run, featuring a matchup nearly every year since the early 1910s. On September 29, watch Prairie View A&M face Grambling State in a historic HBCU duel at the State Fair Classic. Don’t miss the halftime battle of the bands, a staple of the event.
4. Red River Showdown
Experience one of college football’s biggest rivalries as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma Sooners on October 6 at the Cotton Bowl for the AT&T Red River Showdown. For over eight decades, these teams have met in a spectacle that electrifies the crowd, regardless of who you root for.
5. State Fair Showdown
October 20 introduces the inaugural State Fair Showdown, featuring Southern University versus Texas Southern University in another thrilling HBCU clash. The event will also showcase a battle of the bands, a Greek step show, a college fair, a parade, and more.
