Cotton Bowl Classic Celebrates and Supports Youth Artists, Teachers

Published on December 29, 2025

By Mike Secrest, Office of Communication

As the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl is about to kickoff at AT&T Stadium, one tradition continues to shine just as brightly as the big game itself—the Cotton Bowl Art Contest. Now in its 27th year, the art contest blends the excitement of college football with the creativity of young artists across North Texas. Each year, more than 10,000 entries pour in from students in grades 1 through 6, showcasing their talents.

The contest isn’t just about art—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences. Winners in each age group receive tickets to the game, and their artwork is displayed on the stadium’s big screen for thousands of fans to see and also displayed at the Cotton Bowl offices throughout the year. “The fun part of the job is being able to do things like this,” said Michael Konradi of the Cotton Bowl Classic. “How we can take this big game, this big brand that is the Cotton Bowl and do something positive with it.”

Teachers also play a big role in making this contest special. Any art teacher who submits 50 or more entries earns a $500 gift card to purchase art supplies for their classroom. And when winners are announced, the celebration happens right at their school. “To see the celebration that is winning the art contest, for these kids, it’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” Konradi adds.

This annual tradition proves that the Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington is more than just football—it’s a community event that inspires creativity and gives young artists a moment in the spotlight they’ll never forget.

This year’s game will take place at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, featuring the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes.