PILLAR: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: September 9, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):|910|DEPARTMENT: Park & Recreation Department
PRIORITY: N/A
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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)
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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 Par...
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