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December is every football fan's favorite month. Not just because of the holidays but because it's time for the College Football Playoffs. And one of the biggest games of the year kicks off on New Year's Eve.
The Cotton Bowl will host the CFP quarterfinals on Dec. 31. If history says anything, it's that this game will be an instant classic. Especially once the clock strikes midnight.
Last season, Ohio State defeated Texas to advance to the National championship. It was vengeance for the Buckeyes, who lost to Missouri the year before.
Regardless of who takes the field in Dallas, the Cotton Bowl is a fan favorite for a reason. With over 80,000 people filling AT&T Stadium, the Cotton Bowl is consistently one of the most exciting games of the college football bowl season.
Do you want to see the game come to life? Here's everything you need to know to get tickets to the 2025 Cotton Bowl with a breakdown of prices, start time and more.
Cotton Bowl 2025 tickets: How to buy
- Tickets: StubHub
Tickets to the 2025 Cotton Bowl are available in a variety of ways. Once participating teams are determined, fans and supporters can get passes through the teams.
However, those who want passes now before the playoffs can get tickets on second-hand sites like StubHub.
How much are 2025 Cotton Bowl tickets?
Cotton Bowl tickets start at $245 for upper concourse seats. Main level passes start at $355, mezzanine passes start at $375, loge at $400, upper club at $550 and lower club at $800.
A variety of tickets for every budget are still available for the game, but they're going fast. Prices are expected to rise as the game gets closer and CFP teams are determined.
Cotton Bowl 2025 date, time
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The 2025 Cotton Bowl will be played on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
AT&T Stadium seating chart
Below is a seating chart for the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.
Parking at Cotton Bowl 2025
Need a place to park at the Cotton Bowl? You can also buy parking passes for the game on StubHub.
Currently, passes start at just $10. For spots directly surrounding the stadium, they'll cost at least $135.
College Football Playoff 2025-26 schedule
The CFP kicks off December 19 with the first round of games. The National Championship is scheduled for a month later in Miami.
You can get tickets to every playoff game here.
| Round | Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| First round | Fri., Dec. 19 | TBD | 8 p.m. |
| First round | Sat., Dec. 20 | TBD | Noon |
| First round | Sat., Dec. 20 | TBD | 3:30 p.m. |
| First round | Sat., Dec. 20 | TBD | 7:30 p.m. |
| Quarterfinal | Wed., Dec. 31 | Cotton Bowl | 7:30 p.m. |
| Quarterfinal | Thurs., Jan. 1 | Orange Bowl | Noon |
| Quarterfinal | Thurs., Jan. 1 | Rose Bowl | 4 p.m. |
| Quarterfinal | Thurs., Jan. 1 | Sugar Bowl | 8 p.m. |
| Semifinal | Thurs., Jan. 8 | Fiesta Bowl | 7:30 p.m. |
| Semifinal | Fri., Jan. 9 | Peach Bowl | 7:30 p.m. |
| National Championship | Mon., Jan. 19 | TBD | 7:30 p.m. |
College Football Playoff 2025-26 bracket
The CFP bracket will be revealed during the selection day on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Cotton Bowl history
In last season's Cotton Bowl, Ohio State defeated Texas in the CFP semifinals.
Below is a look at the last 10 years of the game.
| Season | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024* | Ohio State | Texas | 28-14 |
| 2023 | Missouri | Ohio State | 14-3 |
| 2022 | Tulane | USC | 46-45 |
| 2021* | Alabama | Cincinnati | 27-6 |
| 2020 | Oklahoma | Florida | 55-20 |
| 2019 | Penn State | Memphis | 53-39 |
| 2018* | Clemson | Notre Dame | 30-3 |
| 2017 | Ohio State | USC | 24-7 |
| 2016 | Wisconsin | Western Michigan | 24-16 |
| 2015* | Alabama | Michigan State | 38-0 |
*CFP game