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BREAKING NEWS: 25 Photos of Historic Cotton Bowl Stadium Abandoned as Ohio State-Texas Played Elsewhere.giang

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The Cotton Bowl is one of the most historic games in American sports – but the namesake stadium has long been abandoned as the host of the contest.

The 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic will see Texas face Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal with a spot in the National Championship Game on the line. The Dallas Cowboys’ state-of-the-art AT&T Stadium will play host to the contest, with a capacity crowd expected in the 80,000 stadium.

Since 2010, the Cowboys’ stadium has hosted the Cotton Bowl Classic. Prior to that, the Cotton Bowl, located nearby at the site of the State Fair of Texas, was the venue for some of college football’s biggest moments. Opened in 1930, it hosted the Cotton Bowl Classic from 1937 to 2009.

Nowadays, it remains less regularly used, but still hosts the Red River Rivalry Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma. The 1994 FIFA World Cup soccer stadium is still standing proud, with its tradition and history a stark contrast to the modern wonder of AT&T Stadium. Mirror U.S. Sports takes a look at the Cotton Bowl through the years as the game of its name takes place elsewhere after being abandoned by organizers.

  1. A general view of the Cotton Bowl taken in 2013 shows the iconic exterior which is still standing, 95 years after the stadium originally opened in 19301 of 25

    Piece of history

    A general view of the Cotton Bowl taken in 2013 shows the iconic exterior which is still standing, 95 years after the stadium originally opened in 1930

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    Image:

    Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  2. An old aerial photo shows the Cotton Bowl packed as fans still stream into the stands at the site, located on the site of the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.2 of 25

    From the skies

    An old aerial photo shows the Cotton Bowl packed as fans still stream into the stands at the site, located on the site of the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

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    Image:

    Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

  3. Syracuse player James Ridlon leads the Orangemen into the Cotton Bowl to face TCU on New Year's Day, 1957. TCU won 28-27 in front of 68,000 people in Jim Brown's last college game.3 of 25

    Running into battle

    Syracuse player James Ridlon leads the Orangemen into the Cotton Bowl to face TCU on New Year’s Day, 1957. TCU won 28-27 in front of 68,000 people in Jim Brown’s last college game.

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    Image:

    Marvin E. Newman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

  4. Syracuse entered the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Day as the unanimous national champions after an undefeated season. Featuring future Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ernie Davis, the Orangemen beat Texas 23-14 to live up to its tag as favorites.4 of 25

    National champions

    Syracuse entered the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year’s Day as the unanimous national champions after an undefeated season. Featuring future Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ernie Davis, the Orangemen beat Texas 23-14 to live up to its tag as favorites.

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    Image:

    Marvin E. Newman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

  5. Arkansas beat Nebraska in the 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic, winning its first national championship as a result. Bobby Burnett (33) is pictured scoring the game-winning touchdown as fans go wild in the stands.5 of 25

    Arkansas glory

    Arkansas beat Nebraska in the 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic, winning its first national championship as a result. Bobby Burnett (33) is pictured scoring the game-winning touchdown as fans go wild in the stands.

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    Image:

    Herb Scharfman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

  1. Legendary Texas head coach Darrell Royal enjoyed some iconic moments at the Cotton Bowl. He's pictured being carried off the field after leading them to a 17-13 victory over Alabama in the 1973 Cotton Bowl Classic.6 of 25

    Royal’s big win

    Legendary Texas head coach Darrell Royal enjoyed some iconic moments at the Cotton Bowl. He’s pictured being carried off the field after leading them to a 17-13 victory over Alabama in the 1973 Cotton Bowl Classic.

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    Image:

    Getty Images)

  2. The Cotton Bowl Stadium is pictured back in 1955, with fans packed in and stood in the sunshine watching the No.3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners beat Texas 20-0 on October 8.7 of 25

    Early days

    The Cotton Bowl Stadium is pictured back in 1955, with fans packed in and stood in the sunshine watching the No.3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners beat Texas 20-0 on October 8.

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    Image:

    Hy Peskin/Getty Images)

  3. Fans watch on at the Cotton Bowl in 1955, when Texas and Oklahoma were establishing themselves among the powerhouses of college football.8 of 25

    Texas powerhouse

    Fans watch on at the Cotton Bowl in 1955, when Texas and Oklahoma were establishing themselves among the powerhouses of college football.

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    Image:

    Hy Peskin/Getty Images)

  4. The Texas A&M Marching Band is pictured entering the field as the Aggies and Maryland Terrapins warmed up ahead of a game at the Cotton Bowl in 1957. The Aggies won the game 21-13 with running back John David Crow on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy that season.9 of 25

    Marching band

    The Texas A&M Marching Band is pictured entering the field as the Aggies and Maryland Terrapins warmed up ahead of a game at the Cotton Bowl in 1957. The Aggies won the game 21-13 with running back John David Crow on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy that season.

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    Image:

    Hy Peskin/Getty Images)

  5. Georgia stunned Texas 10-9 in the 1984 Cotton Bowl Classic. Quarterback John Lastinger is pictured celebrating with teammates after scoring the final touchdown of a close contest.10 of 25

    Georgia stunner

    Georgia stunned Texas 10-9 in the 1984 Cotton Bowl Classic. Quarterback John Lastinger is pictured celebrating with teammates after scoring the final touchdown of a close contest.

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    Image:

    John Iacono/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

  1. New Year's Day, 1992 saw the 56th Cotton Bowl Classic held in Dallas. Florida State emerged as 10-2 winners against Texas A&M in front of a crowd of 73,728.11 of 25

    90s memories

    New Year’s Day, 1992 saw the 56th Cotton Bowl Classic held in Dallas. Florida State emerged as 10-2 winners against Texas A&M in front of a crowd of 73,728.

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    Image:

    Mike Powell/ALLSPORT)

  2. The Cotton Bowl was transformed into a soccer stadium for the 1994 World Cup Finals. It hosted six games in the tournament, including Brazil beating the Netherlands 3-2 in the quarterfinals.12 of 25

    Soccer transformation

    The Cotton Bowl was transformed into a soccer stadium for the 1994 World Cup Finals. It hosted six games in the tournament, including Brazil beating the Netherlands 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

  3. Oklahoma State Cowboys fans watch the 2004 Cotton Bowl. They ended up losing the game 31-28 to Ole Miss in front of an attendance of 73,928.13 of 25

    Cowboys come to town

    Oklahoma State Cowboys fans watch the 2004 Cotton Bowl. They ended up losing the game 31-28 to Ole Miss in front of an attendance of 73,928.

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    Image:

    Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

  4. The Red River Shootout in October 2006 saw Texas, the reigning national champions, beat Oklahoma 28-10 at the Cotton Bowl. Texas flag bearers are seen waving their Burnt Orange and White flags in the end zone before the game.14 of 25

    Texas takeover

    The Red River Shootout in October 2006 saw Texas, the reigning national champions, beat Oklahoma 28-10 at the Cotton Bowl. Texas flag bearers are seen waving their Burnt Orange and White flags in the end zone before the game.

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    Image:

    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  5. New Year's Day, 2008 saw the Arkansas Razorbacks lose 38-7 to the Missouri Tigers. This photo was taken at 0-0 in the first quarter as the scoreboard stands tall against the clear blue winter skies.15 of 25

    Scoreboard stands tall

    New Year’s Day, 2008 saw the Arkansas Razorbacks lose 38-7 to the Missouri Tigers. This photo was taken at 0-0 in the first quarter as the scoreboard stands tall against the clear blue winter skies.

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    Image:

    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  1. The Cotton Bowl plays a prominent role in the popular TV series "Friday Night Lights". The fictional East Dillon High team is pictured entering the stadium for its fictional State Championship Game.16 of 25

    ‘Friday Night Lights’

    The Cotton Bowl plays a prominent role in the popular TV series “Friday Night Lights”. The fictional East Dillon High team is pictured entering the stadium for its fictional State Championship Game.

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    Image:

    Bill Records/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

  2. A view of the Dallas skyline can be seen beyond Texas Longhorns fans packed into the Cotton Bowl stands watching them take on the Oklahoma Sooners on October 11, 2008.17 of 25

    City skyline

    A view of the Dallas skyline can be seen beyond Texas Longhorns fans packed into the Cotton Bowl stands watching them take on the Oklahoma Sooners on October 11, 2008.

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    Image:

    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  3. The Red River Rivalry game has remained a huge occasion at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. The 2012 edition saw Oklahoma defeat Texas 63-21 on October 13.18 of 25

    Red River shootout

    The Red River Rivalry game has remained a huge occasion at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. The 2012 edition saw Oklahoma defeat Texas 63-21 on October 13.

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    Image:

    John Rhodes/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

  4. Fans are seen packed into the historic stands during one of many games between Texas and Oklahoma played in the Dallas sunshine.19 of 25

    Fans flock to rivalry game

    Fans are seen packed into the historic stands during one of many games between Texas and Oklahoma played in the Dallas sunshine.

  5. Texas fans are pictured at the Cotton Bowl watching the Longhorns face Oklahoma in the 2015 Red River Rivalry. They pulled off an upset, beating the No.10 ranked Sooners, with Baker Mayfield at QB, 24-17.20 of 25

    Texas upset

    Texas fans are pictured at the Cotton Bowl watching the Longhorns face Oklahoma in the 2015 Red River Rivalry. They pulled off an upset, beating the No.10 ranked Sooners, with Baker Mayfield at QB, 24-17.

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    Image:

    John Korduner/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

  1. Fans gather outside of a concessions stand outside of the Cotton Bowl ahead of a Texas game played at the stadium in 2016.21 of 25

    Soaking up the atmosphere

    Fans gather outside of a concessions stand outside of the Cotton Bowl ahead of a Texas game played at the stadium in 2016.

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    Image:

    Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

  2. A general view outside the Cotton Bowl shows fans taking shade from the sunshine and soaking up the atmosphere under the shadows of the stadium's iconic exterior.22 of 25

    Site of history

    A general view outside the Cotton Bowl shows fans taking shade from the sunshine and soaking up the atmosphere under the shadows of the stadium’s iconic exterior.

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    Image:

    Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

  3. A member of the Oklahoma RUF/Neks spirit squad is pictured on the field during the 2019 Red River Showdown supporting the Sooners. Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb led the Sooners to a 34-27 win.23 of 25

    Go Sooners

    A member of the Oklahoma RUF/Neks spirit squad is pictured on the field during the 2019 Red River Showdown supporting the Sooners. Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb led the Sooners to a 34-27 win.

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    Image:

    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  4. The Cotton Bowl hasn't just hosted football, and in recent years it branched out to hockey, hosting the 2020 NHL Winter Classic with a ring installed in the center of the field.24 of 25

    Hockey comes to town

    The Cotton Bowl hasn’t just hosted football, and in recent years it branched out to hockey, hosting the 2020 NHL Winter Classic with a ring installed in the center of the field.

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    Image:

    Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  5. The Red River Rivalry is the biggest game annually held at the Cotton Bowl these days, as shown by this picture of Oklahoma fans cheering the Sooners on as recently as 2023.25 of 25

    Still going strong

    The Red River Rivalry is the biggest game annually held at the Cotton Bowl these days, as shown by this picture of Oklahoma fans cheering the Sooners on as recently as 2023.

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    Image:

    Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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