ABOUT THE CLASSIC
January 1, 1937, by J. Curtis Sanford
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company became the official title sponsor of the game on November 7, 2014.
The first Cotton Bowl Classic was conceived by the late J. Curtis Sanford, a Dallas oilman and business executive. Sanford's first game promotion, a private enterprise guaranteeing each institution $10,000, matched TCU and Marquette on January 1, 1937, at Fair Park's Cotton Bowl Stadium before 17,000 fans. Starting in 1941, the Southwest Conference agreed to send its champion to the game and continued to do so until 1995. A Big 12 Conference representative played in the Classic from 1997 to 2014 and was pitted against a Southeastern Conference representative starting in 1999. The conference tie-ins ended when the Classic became a part of the College Football Playoff beginning with the 2014 regular season.
From its inception in 1937 through 2009, the Cotton Bowl Classic was played at its namesake Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The stadium was built in 1930 and was known as Fair Park Stadium prior to hosting the Cotton Bowl. Beginning with the 74th edition in 2010, the game moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Since then, the game evolved to being of the biggest postseason matchups annually. To date, the Cotton Bowl Classic has played host to the 2015 CFP National Championship, one CFP Quarterfinal as a Classic, four CFP Semifinals as Classics and the 107th Rose Bowl Game, which was a 2021 CFP Semifinal matchup.
The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association (CBAA) is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Texas to promote, sponsor and stage an annual postseason intercollegiate football game in Arlington, Texas.
Monica Christopher, Chief Philanthropy Officer, The Meadows Foundation (44th Chair serving from February 2026 to January 2028)
The 2027 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 91st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is set for Friday, January 1, 2027. Game time will be announced on Sunday, December 6.
2028 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 92nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Friday, January 14, 2028.
2029 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 93rd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Monday, January 1, 2029.
2030 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 94th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Friday, January 11, 2030.
2031 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 95th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Wednesday, January 1, 2031.
2031 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 96th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Wednesday, December 31, 2031.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (69,277)
Hellas Matrix Turf
The 12-team bracket for the 2026-27 College Football Playoff will be unveiled on Sunday, December 6, 2026 on ESPN. The game time for the 91st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will be announced as a part of the bracket announcement.
ESPN/ABC or TNT/truTV/HBO Max
ESPN Radio Network/ESPN Deportes
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Art Contest was a treasured part of the bowl experience for more than three decades. The contest ran consecutively for 23 years before taking a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Art Contest has made a triumphant return in conjunction with the 87th Classic and ran through the 90th Classic before being discontinued on an annual basis.
The Cotton Bowl Foundation pivoted from the Art Contest leading into the 91st Classic to partner with the College Football Playoff Foundation to surprise John Haley Elementary School in Irving with $50,000 for a library makeover and three $1,000 Donors Choose donations. The library makeover is set to be unveiled in December 2026.
Ticket information for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic may be obtained by clicking here, or by calling 817-892-BOWL or toll-free at 888-792-BOWL(2695). Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
Mailing Address: One AT&T Way, Arlington, Texas 76011
Email Address: coach@cottonbowl.com
For more information about the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, visit GoodyearCottonBowl.com. For more information about the Cotton Bowl Foundation, visit CottonBowlFoundation.org.
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