ARLINGTON, Texas – DJ Diesel, aka Shaquille O'Neal, is bringing a double dose of performances to New Year's Eve and the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

The NBA Hall of Famer and sports commentator is returning to headline the Goodyear Huddle Up Fan Fest on Wednesday, December 31, taking center stage in the West Plaza of AT&T Stadium at 4:30 p.m. CT as the feature attraction two hours prior to kickoff. After the game, DJ Diesel will ring in the New Year at Texas Live!, Arlington's premier entertainment venue, walking distance away from AT&T Stadium. His NYE Live! performance will serve as the finale to the Texas Live! all-day party, which kicks off at 9 a.m. CT.

Fans must have Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic game tickets to see DJ Diesel perform at the Goodyear Huddle Up Fan Fest. To see DJ Diesel perform at Texas Live!, fans must purchase tickets at Texas-Live.com.

Tickets for the 2025 CFP Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic via the Classic's ticket office are sold out. Secondary market tickets may be available via SeatGeek, the official ticket provider of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Suites are available for purchase by calling 817-892-4470 or sending an e-mail to suites@dallascowboys.net.
 
O'Neal's affinity for DJing began as a teenager, according to his bio. At 14, he joined 5,000 other people to see the pioneering hip-hop group Public Enemy for the first time. That performance spurred him to do odd jobs so he could buy a $200 turntable at a pawn shop.

It was not until 2014, though, that O'Neal developed a penchant for electronic music. He became hooked on the genre after hearing Tiësto, Steve Aoki and Skrillex perform at the TomorrowWorld festival in 2014.

The former college and professional basketball star compared the adrenaline rush of DJing a festival to playing in the NBA Finals in a 2023 interview with The Dallas Morning News.

"When I get done with [DJing], I feel like I just played a Game Seven — energetic crowd going up and down, everybody having fun, kids just out there jamming," said O'Neal.

Fans and followers can keep up with the latest information on Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic activities and events at GoodyearCottonBowl.com. Follow the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.