PILLAR: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: September 9, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 7
DEPARTMENT: Park & Recreation Department
PRIORITY: N/A
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City to (1) enter into a four-year, four party agreement with Grambling State University, Prairie View A&M University, and the State Fair of Texas, which authorizes both universities to continue playing the annual State Fair Classic football game held annually at the Cotton Bowl Stadium located in Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas; (2) the City to pay Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University in an amount not to exceed $175,000.000 each school for the 2025 State Fair Classic football game at the Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair; and (3) pay Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University in an amount not to exceed $250,000,00 to each school for the State Fair Classic football game held annually at the Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair of Texas, beginning 2026 through 2029 in an amount not to exceed $2,350,000.00 - Total not to exceed $2,350,000.00 - Financing: Fair Park Fund (subject to annual appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
State Fair of Texas occupies Fair Park, which includes the Cotton Bowl Stadium, to operate the annual state fair. During the fair time, Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University agrees to play a football game between each university’s varsity football team in the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair.
On September 24, 2024, the State Fair of Texas, ALW Entertainment, Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University, entered into a four-party game agreement to continue playing the annual football game at the Cotton Bowl during the Fair. The City was inadvertently left off the agreement, as the Park and Recreation department agreed to extend this partnership until 2029.
On June 18, 2025, the City of Dallas issued a written notice to Fair Park First, of the City’s right to terminate the agreement, effective September 15, 2025. The Park and Recreation Department has taken over management of Fair Park and the responsibilities of continuing the payment obligation to both universities.
This action will authorize the City to (1) enter into a four-year, four party agreement with Grambling State University, Prairie View A&M University, and the State Fair of Texas, which authorizes both universities to continue playing the annual State Fair Classic football game held annually at the Cotton Bowl Stadium located at Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas; (2) the City to pay Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University in the amount of $175,000.000 to each school for the 2025 State Fair Classic football game at the Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair; and (3) pay Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University in the amount of $250,000,00 to each school for the State Fair Classic football game held annually at the Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair of Texas, beginning 2026 through 2029, in an amount not to exceed $2,350,000.00.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On September 1, 2004, the City Council authorized the City to provide game fees to the University of Texas, University of Oklahoma, Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University on an annual basis for five years, subject to appropriations, beginning 2004 and ending 2008, by Resolution No. 04-2501.
On May 23, 2007, the City Council authorized (1) the City’s participation as a third party to the State Fair/Texas OU Cotton Bowl Stadium Agreement by providing each university a game fee, subject to the annual University of Texas versus University of Oklahoma football game being played at the Cotton Bowl in the amount of $125,000.00 each in 2007, $425,000.00 each beginning in 2008 through 2011, and $500,000.00 each beginning in 2012 through 2015, for an amount not to exceed $7,650,000.00; and (2) the City to provide Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University a game fee, subject to the Grambling State University versus Prairie View A&M University football game being played at the Cotton Bowl, in the amount of $25,000.00 each in 2007 and $75,000.00 each beginning in 2008 through 2015, for an amount not to exceed $1,250,000.00, in a total amount not to exceed $8,900,000.00, by Resolution No. 07-1539.
On May 12, 2012, the City Council authorized the first amendment to the Cotton Bowl Stadium Agreement with State Fair of Texas, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Austin and the City of Dallas for the City’s participation as a third party beneficiary to the State Fair/Texas-OU Cotton Bowl Stadium Agreement by (1) providing each university a game fee, subject to the annual University of Texas versus University of Oklahoma football game being played at the Cotton Bowl, in the amount of $500,000.00 each beginning in 2016 through 2020, for an amount not to exceed $500,000.00; and (2) the City to provide Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University football game being played at the Cotton Bowl, in the amount of $750,000.00 and an amount not to exceed $5,750,000.00, by Resolution No. 12-1358.
On September 24, 2014, the City Council authorized a second amendment to the Cotton Bowl Stadium Agreement with the State Fair of Texas, the University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Austin and the City of Dallas for the City’s participation as a third party beneficiary to the State Fair/Texas-OU Cotton Bowl Stadium Agreement by (1) providing each university a game fee, subject to the annual University of Texas versus University of Oklahoma football game being played at the Cotton Bowl, in the amount of $500,000.00 each year beginning in 2021 through 2025 and an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00; and (2) the City to provide Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University football game being played at the Cotton Bowl, in the amount of $75,000.00 each year beginning in 2016 through 2020 in an amount not to exceed $5,750,000.00, by Resolution No. 14-1600.
On October 24, 2018, the City Council authorized a management agreement with Fair Park First (FPF) for the management and operation of Fair Park for the Park and Recreation Department for a term of twenty years. The game fees were paid through the management fee and FPF disbursed the funds to Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University on the City’s behalf by Resolution No. 18-1531.
On December 14, 2022, the City Council authorized ALW Entertainment, the promoter of the AT&T Red River Showdown, between the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma and the State Fair Classic, between Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University football games requested a $350,000.00 increase of the annual game fee from $150,000.00 annually to $500,000.00, for the State Fair Classic, allowing Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University each to receive a game fee of $250,000.00. This increase was approved in the September 25,2024 City Budget appropriations by Ordinance 32866.
On September 25, 2024, the City Council authorized adjustments to fund appropriations for the fiscal year 2023-2024, by Ordinance 32866. The ordinance authorized a $350,000.00 enhancement to the Park & Recreation Department budget.
Information about this item was provided to the Parks, Trails, and Environment Committee on September 1, 2026.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2026 |
FY 2027 |
Future Years |
|
Fair Park Fund |
$850,000.00 |
$500,000.00 |
$1,000,000.00 |
MAP
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