Looks like the Cotton Bowl is about to get a serious dose of the deep freeze! With a whopping $100 million at stake, the organizers are leaving nothing to chance. They have a well-prepared game plan in place to handle any situation that may arise, ensuring that everyone stays informed throughout the process. So, with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic just around the corner, the big question is—will everything go off without a hitch, or will the storm freeze things up?

So, the 86th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Alabama and Cincinnati totally delivered on New Year’s Eve 2022. And get this straight: even an economic impact study shows it brought in almost $100 million for North Texas. That’s $54 million direct and $45 million indirect. Crazy, right? The best part is that when the game relocated to AT&T Stadium in 2010, its economic influence nearly doubled. As a result, it has now become one of the largest yearly events in the region. Pretty wild how much it’s grown!

Now fast forward to this year; it has crossed $100 million in economic impact with ticket prices of around $354. But with the snow and wintry mix of weather impact, there is an alarming situation building up ahead of the game. Now Fox Sports reporter Peyton Yager chimed in, giving an update on the game schedule, saying, “Monday statement from Cotton Bowl officials The game is still a go, but they are monitoring. Winter weather event expected to move into North Texas Thursday.”  For now, we can only hope that weather doesn’t diminish the considerable economic influence that has developed this season.

Looks like Texas is about to get pretty chilly this week. And there are also chances of the temperature dropping below freezing point; winter storm Blair is rolling in. The National Weather Service in Dallas-Fort Worth is predicting a significant snow event, stating on their website, “high confidence in at least measurable snow Wednesday night into Friday.” However, since it’s a rain-snow mix kind of situation, no one really knows how much snow we’ll get yet. But then it’s still all under control and might not affect the Cotton Bowl.

Moreover, the Cotton Bowl officials are keeping a close watch on the weather and staying in constant contact with AT&T Stadium and local officials. Plus, if conditions take a turn, they’ll make sure to keep updating every attendee. About the game, have you ever wondered the reason behind the abrupt stadium shift in 2010?

Cotton Bowl new destination

So earlier in 2010, the Cotton Bowl made a significant change by leaving the old stadium in Dallas and relocating to the modern AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It was during that year when the Ole Miss Rebels defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 21-7, marking the beginning of a new era for the game. Since then, AT&T Stadium has served as the official home of the Cotton Bowl, providing fans with a top-tier venue to enjoy all the action. It’s incredible to think about how much the game has grown since that first year in Arlington!

Well, the decision to move the Cotton Bowl to Arlington was likely influenced by the weather. The freezing temperatures in Dallas during January were becoming a concern, particularly for a bowl game that was considered a “cold-weather” event. AT&T Stadium’s retractable roof offered a practical solution, providing better protection against unpredictable weather. Since the relocation, fans have been able to enjoy a more comfortable experience, with reduced risk of harsh conditions ruining the excitement of the big game. It was a smart move, honestly. Who would want to endure a snowstorm during the Cotton Bowl?

It’s going to be an interesting matchup, knowing all the history playing a major role on the field. Coming to the bowl game, what makes it even more intriguing is that the Buckeyes have played in the prestigious Cotton Bowl four times in their history, with this being their second consecutive appearance. But the Longhorns surely win the race by holding the record for the most Cotton Bowl appearances, showing up 22 times. Now let’s just wait and see which team makes this year’s Cotton Bowl appearance count.