Texas and Oklahoma have reached an agreement to extend their historic rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl through 2036, ensuring the continuation of one of college football's most iconic matchups. The announcement, made on Wednesday, also included plans for an estimated $140 million renovation of the aging stadium in Dallas.

Since their first meeting at a neutral site at the State Fair of Texas in 1929, the Longhorns and Sooners have played every game in the Cotton Bowl, which originally opened its doors in 1930. This longstanding tradition has solidified the Cotton Bowl as a unique and sacred ground for college football.

Amidst the trend of teams playing at neutral sites in modern NFL stadiums, there had been speculation about the possibility of Texas and Oklahoma moving locations. However, both schools expressed their desire to remain at the Cotton Bowl, emphasizing the importance of preserving the history, tradition, and pageantry associated with the Allstate Red River Rivalry game.

Oklahoma's athletic director, Joe Castiglione, stated, "The relationship between the storied rivalry and the venerable Cotton Bowl is one-of-a-kind, regardless of sport. Our new agreement guarantees the legacy of this historic matchup will extend into a second century."

His counterpart at Texas, Chris Del Conte, echoed these sentiments, saying, "There is absolutely nothing like the Allstate Red River Rivalry game, and with all of its history, tradition, and pageantry, it needs to stay in the Cotton Bowl. We're excited to be continuing that long into the future."

As part of the agreement, the city of Dallas has enlisted the services of Overland Partners to undertake the stadium's renovation. The project will include sweeping enhancements such as widening concourses, installing escalators, and upgrading concessions and restrooms. The first phase of renovations, focused on the west side of the stadium, is expected to be completed by September 2026. A second phase, targeting significant renovations to the east side, is scheduled for completion by September 2034.

Additionally, the Dallas Sports Commission and Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District have committed to increasing the payout to each school, although specific terms were not disclosed. Under the previous contract, which concludes in 2025, each school received $500,000.

With this agreement, the future of the Allstate Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl is secured for another 16 years, guaranteeing fans and players alike the opportunity to create more cherished memories in the historic stadium.