More Alamo Bowl Information

Begun as the Builders Square Alamo Bowl and later the Sylvania Alamo Bowl, this postseason NCAA face-off has officially been the MasterCard Alamo Bowl since 2002. Attendance has grown from nearly 46,000 in 1993 to over 65,000 in recent years, and you're advised to get your tickets early! You'll want to arrive in town early, too, and take part in the traditional pre-game festivities, many of which are free—to whoever can squeeze in. They include the Pep Rally at Arneson River Theatre, where you'll see the players and their school bands arrive by boat, floating along the River Walk, followed by a Battle of the Bands. The Tailgate Party at Sunset Station features more band music and interactive games.

With champion players from the Big 12 and Big Ten, you know you'll be watching future NFL stars displaying their talent. The Alamo Bowl has been one step on the way to the Super Bowl for players like Tom Brady and Matt Light of the New England Patriots, Jon Runyon and Mark Simoneau of the Philadelphia Eagles, Doug Brien of the Chicago Bears, Amani Toomer of the New York Giants, and Martin Gramatica of the Indianapolis Colts. But there has been plenty of amazing action in the Alamo Bowls themselves. Occasionally, it's a blowout like Nebraska's 66-17 victory over Northwestern in 2000, where fans got to see over 80 offensive plays by each side as well as 9 touchdowns. But sometimes the lead goes back and forth, as in 1998 when the Kansas State Wildcats pulled from behind with minutes to go only to fall victim to an 80-yard drive and a TD by Purdue with 30 seconds on the clock that left the Boilermakers ahead 37-34.