Key facts
- Venue
- AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011
- 2025 finals
- December 17-20, 2025: 12 games, 1A Six-Man through 6A
- 2025 attendance
- 191,185 for the 12 games, up 19.8% from the year before (SI)
- 2025 tickets
- $20 per day; $15 for participating schools with a school code
- 2026
- UIL announced a modified 2026 schedule in August 2026. Resale sites list games Dec 16-19, 2026 at AT&T Stadium. Confirm on uiltexas.org.
Why this trip is different
Most teams learn their championship date only after the semifinal, which leaves days, not weeks, to move players, coaches, the band, cheer and families. Games run from Wednesday to Saturday, so hotels near the stadium can fill fast on the day your game is scheduled.
Dates and 15 rooms prefilled. Change them in the booking card.
Book in this order
- Buses first. Charter coaches are the hardest thing to find on short notice in December. Get quotes the moment your semifinal is set, and check every company on FMCSA's Bus Safety Search before you sign (see charter bus vs. vans).
- Rooms for teams playing early or traveling far. Teams from West Texas or the Valley often go up the day before. Teams from the Metroplex often go and come back the same day.
- A pregame meal. A restaurant or the hotel's banquet room that can feed the whole roster at a fixed time.
- Family logistics. Share ticket links, parking advice and the itinerary in one message so the coaching staff is not answering the same questions all week.
Where to stay
| Area | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Entertainment District | Closest to the stadium, near Globe Life Field and Texas Live! | Highest demand on game days |
| Grand Prairie and the I-20 corridor | More chain hotels, easier bus parking | Short drive on game day |
| Fort Worth or Dallas | More choice for fans, dinners and sightseeing | Game-day traffic between the cities |
| DFW Airport area | Teams and families flying in | Arlington is a drive from the airport, so plan a shuttle or rental |
Budget items people forget
- Stadium parking for cars and buses (set by the venue each year)
- Driver lodging if the bus company requires an overnight
- A hotel day room or meeting room for a pregame walkthrough
- Meals for the band and cheer squad, not just the team
Plan the whole group
Put the team, band and families into one plan in the GroupVoy planner: set the headcount, pick a 56-seat coach as the vehicle and see how many buses and rooms you need, with cost per person.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the UIL football state championships played?
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The 2025 championships ran December 17-20, 2025.
How much were tickets to the UIL football state championships?
In 2025 tickets were $20 per day, and participating schools could get $15 tickets with a school code.
What are the 2026 UIL football championship dates?
UIL announced a modified 2026 championship schedule in August 2026, and resale sites list games December 16-19, 2026 at AT&T Stadium. Check uiltexas.org for the confirmed schedule.
Where should a team stay for a game at AT&T Stadium?
Hotels in the Arlington Entertainment District are closest. Grand Prairie and the I-20 corridor usually have more rooms and easier bus parking.
Sources
- Austin Sports Journal: 2025 UIL football state championships schedule and tickets
- SI: Texas state football finals notebook, 191K fans
- Dave Campbell's Texas Football: UIL announces modified 2026 championship schedule
- AT&T Stadium event listing
- FMCSA: Look Before You Book
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