‘Rivalry renewed:’ Ticket prices skyrocket, bars prepare for big turnout

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The eyes of Texas are turning to College Station.

A day before the Texas Longhorns take on Texas A&M — a rivalry game that hasn’t been played in 13 years, with the winner advancing to the SEC Championship — fans aren’t the only ones excited.

“UT games are our big day,” bartender Ethan Blanton said.

Like many bars Rustic rooster in Austin is stocking up in anticipation of big watch parties and a post-Thanksgiving bump. When kegs were delivered, Blanton said their inventory will be double that of a normal day.

He expects their watch party to be full “all day.”

“Absolutely, without a doubt,” he said when asked if Saturday will be one of the busiest days of the year for his bar.

There’s also no doubt who this longtime Longhorns fan is rooting for — even though his cousin plays for Texas A&M.

“UT, 100%,” Blanton said. “Sorry, cousin.”

Ticket prices are rising

In a sign of how divided fans are, some bars display the flags of both schools. For those planning to travel to see the game in person, it won’t come cheap.

Between the NFL and college, this will be the most expensive regular season football ticket ever, according to TickPick, which reported an average purchase price of $1,079. A day before the game, we found a one-way ticket starting around $520 on SeatGeek and rising to almost $9,000.

The second most expensive game day ticket ever was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New England Patriots in 2021 with an average purchase price of just over $900. It was the first game Tom Brady played at Gillette Stadium against his former team and coach.

Old rivalry, new tradition

The day before the game started with a new tradition honoring an old rivalry. Wearing military ruck packs, cadets and student veterans walked and drove the football game to College Station in what is being dubbed the “Ruck Across the Brazos.”

“It honors not only this rivalry game, but also the military history of both our schools,” said US Army Cadet and UT Austin student Jacob Tegtmeier. “It feels extremely special to be the start of this tradition that will hopefully continue for years and decades to come.”

The tour ends in College Station at Kyle Field, where Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko will receive the ball just before kickoff.

“It means a lot. I think everyone has been waiting for this for so long. Just seeing it back and continuing on Kyle Field means a whole bunch in particular,” said Treacy Collier of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

“Thirteen years in the making, this is huge,” added Collier. “And then the SEC game on the line is even bigger. So that means a lot.”

‘Rivarly Renewed’

At the non-profit University Co-opnew commemorative jerseys capitalized on the excitement with slogans: “Rivalry Renewed,” “House Divided” and “Lone Star Showdown.”

“Oh, I’m nervous,” Robert Martinez said. “I’m going to be nervous all day long until it’s over and we win.”

Martinez came with her two daughters, Jackie and Katie, who graduated from UT a few years ago.

“I never got to see them play A&M when I was going here, so I’m very excited,” she said.

The Martinez family will watch the game Saturday in a house shared with their cousins, who are Aggies fans.

“They’re both great schools, so it’s just fun to watch them,” Katie said.

“No,” Jackie said, laughing. “You have to be mean. No. They stink.”

“It’s really fun, actually,” Katie said.

“We talk smack,” Jackie said.

The Co-op said all its profits went towards course material grants that helped nearly 7,000 students last academic year. This year the program expanded to include cheer and pom, the Longhorn band and all student athletes.