Frisco Means Football

The buildup to football season is peaking and the anticipation in Frisco is palpable. From the star-studded NFL experience to the high school teams, cheerleaders, and bands showing out, the season is here, and it is everything. Just as pre-season brings the anticipation and in-season play carries the momentum, there is high-level, end-of-season action in Frisco to satiate the football appetite for alumni, students, families, and fans from all over the country. Think all-star high school and college football at The Star, college bowl energy under the lights at Toyota Stadium, and championship competition bringing college rivalries to the forefront. It’s all in Frisco, so make your plans to be here.

Frisco’s lineup of marquee games to round out the football season: 

U.S. Army Bowl 
Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at Ford Center and televised on Bally Sports

Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl
Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. at Toyota Stadium and televised on ESPN 

FCS Championship
Jan. 7, 2024 at 1 p.m.Toyota Stadium and televised on ABC

East-West Shrine Bowl
Feb. 1, 2024 at 7 p.m. at Ford Center and televised on NFL Network

U.S. Army Bowl 

The U.S. Army Bowl brings the top high school football players in the country together for an East vs. West game at Ford Center at The Star and airs on Bally Sports Network. Legendary college coach Noel Mazzone heads up the National Selection Committee looking at the top players, and the Top 80 get the official invite to play in the U.S. Army Bowl.

The U.S. Army Bowl was created by Rich McGuinness more than 20 years ago, and he continues to take pride in the legacy, the alumni, and the unique experience it provides to players, families, and fans throughout the week of robust football activities.

We’re talking a ‘cradle to canton’ lineup including a 5v5 flag and 7v7 tournament (December 18), national combine for middle and high schoolers (December 16-18), and the Takis National Signing Day (Wednesday, December 20) with the All-Americans announcing their college commitments.

McGuinness says, “We believe Frisco is the epicenter of football in the world, truly. Besides the Dallas Cowboys brand that’s been the great power in professional football and valued brand in the NFL, the culture is amazing. If you are going to run the biggest football week in America, you gotta do it where football is celebrated. The Cowboys have built a village around football so why not bring the world's best players to a place that loves and celebrates football.”

US Army Bowl Trivia: The 2023 game will be the second time played in Frisco.

Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl

For a pure college bowl game experience, it’s the natural grass field under the lights of Toyota Stadium on Tuesday, December 19 at 8:00 p.m. for classic Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) action at the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl.

When the college football season starts, 65 different teams have the opportunity to make it to Frisco. The pool of potential teams comes from the Group of Five’s American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and Sun Belt Conference, plus Independents. Owned and operated by ESPN Events, Frisco Bowl’s roster history includes Louisiana Tech University, Southern Methodist University, Ohio University, Kent State University, Utah State University, UTSA, and San Diego State University. The 2022 Frisco Bowl matched up Boise State and UNT in a record high offensive showdown. The Boise State Broncos prevailed in the back-and-forth 35-32 victory. Selection Sunday is December 3rd.

In 2023, the matchup is the UTSA Roadrunners and the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Part of the great environment of the bowl games at Toyota Stadium is the pre-game scene. Arrive early and come prepared to enjoy your favorite pre-game eats and drinks as you find your fellow fans in the designated parking lots and meet new ones along the way.

Frisco Bowl Trivia: A total of 85 Frisco Bowl participants have been drafted or signed a free agent contract with the NFL.

NCAA Division I Football Championship (FCS)

Champions are made in Frisco. It’s not hyperbole. The NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is one of Frisco’s highly anticipated and eagerly attended games. 

Toyota Stadium is home to the best championship memories in college football, let alone filled with the loud and loyal alumni and fans who circle the date on their calendar to make the trip to Frisco. The defending FCS Champion, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, are joined by these teams who have also hoisted the trophy in the 13 years Frisco has hosted: North Dakota State, Sam Houston State University, James Madison University, and Eastern Washington University. 

“We make a point to buy tickets whether our team is playing or not,” says Frisco resident and longtime North Dakota State University fan, Ann Anderson. “How often do you get the chance to go to a national championship football game in your own town? The fans are great, the band, the cheerleaders, and the entire experience is really amazing.”  

How are the teams determined to vie for this title? The FCS Playoff Selection Committee selects and seeds teams from these 14 conferences: Big Sky, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association, Independent, Ivy, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Pioneer Football League, Southern, Southland, and Southwestern. When the 24-team bracket is set, they face off in a single-elimination bracket-style playoff. As winners advance, they get one step closer to their ticket to Frisco on January 7, 2024. 

FCS Trivia: North Dakota State is a nine-time FCS Champion

East-West Shrine Bowl

Watch 130 of the best college seniors from around the country show their talents to NFL scouts, agents, and media at the East-West Shrine Bowl. What better place to host this game than the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff at Ford Center at The Star is 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024 and airs on NFL Network.

As the longest running college all-star football game in the United States, some of the notable names who've participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl include Tom Brady, John Elway, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Don Shula, and Dick Vermeil.

Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl's mission, through elevating the profile and understanding of Shriners Children's, has been to provide specialty care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay for services. In fact, the game's iconic logo reflects the moment a 2-year-old patient walked alongside football player Mike Esposito during a team hospital visit in 1974, reminding fans of the special bond between football and Shriners Children's. 

East-West Shrine Bowl Trivia: The 99th playing of this historic game happens in Frisco for the first time in 2024

Play and Stay in Frisco 

Clearly, Frisco is the place to be for football fans across the country to bring the season to a close in style. Come for the football. Stay a while in The City That Plays to experience all of Frisco’s offerings from wining and dining, events, and entertainment, shopping, and accommodations. For updates on these games, sign up for our e-newsletter.