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While most people are preparing for midnight countdowns and champagne toasts, El Paso does New Year’s Eve differently. On December 31, 2026, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl will host its 93rd edition at Sun Bowl Stadium, continuing a tradition that stretches back to the Great Depression. Only the Rose Bowl has been around longer, making the Sun Bowl the second-oldest bowl game in America.
The first Sun Bowl was played on January 1, 1935, as a fundraiser at El Paso High School’s Jones Stadium, where the El Paso All-Stars beat Ranger 25–21. By 1936, college teams had taken over, and the game has been a fixture of the postseason ever since. Today it features a matchup between ACC and Pac-12 programs, and the list of players who have competed in El Paso is staggering — over 1,300 NFL draftees, 131 first-round picks, 114 Consensus All-Americans, and four Heisman Trophy winners: Carson Palmer, LaDainian Tomlinson, Tony Dorsett, and Jayden Daniels.
Sun Bowl Stadium is unlike any other venue in college football. Carved into the foothills on the campus of UTEP, the 51,000-seat open-air stadium offers breathtaking views of the Franklin Mountains rising behind the end zone. The dry desert climate means clear skies and mild temperatures even in late December — a welcome change for fans traveling from colder parts of the country. The stadium’s intimate bowl shape puts every seat close to the action, creating an atmosphere that belies its mid-size capacity.
El Paso itself sits on the U.S.–Mexico border, giving the Sun Bowl a distinctive cultural flavor. Fans can cross into Ciudad Juárez for authentic Mexican cuisine, explore El Paso’s vibrant downtown arts district, or hike the Franklin Mountains State Park before kickoff. It’s a bowl trip unlike any other.
Browse Sun Bowl 2027 tickets above to find your seats for the December 31 game. Every order is backed by a 100% buyer protection guarantee with no hidden fees — just straightforward pricing from verified sellers who have been trusted by fans for over two decades.
The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is set for Wednesday, December 31, 2026 at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The game has been played on or near New Year’s Eve for decades, making it one of the signature events closing out the calendar year in college football.
The Sun Bowl dates to 1935, making it the second-oldest bowl game in the country behind the Rose Bowl. What started as a high school fundraiser at El Paso High School has grown into a nationally televised event spanning over nine decades. Along with the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl, it belongs to the original class of major bowl games that helped define college football’s postseason.
The Sun Bowl traditionally features a matchup between ACC and Pac-12 conference teams. The specific programs are determined through the bowl selection process following conference championship weekend. Over the years, some of the biggest names in college football have competed in El Paso, including Texas, UCLA, Notre Dame, Stanford, Oregon, and Virginia Tech.
The 1994 Sun Bowl is widely considered the greatest game in the event’s history — Priest Holmes scored four touchdowns as Texas defeated North Carolina 35–31 in a thriller. The 2005 edition holds the record for most combined points (88), with UCLA topping Northwestern 50–38. The 2011 game is the only Sun Bowl ever decided in overtime, when Utah edged Georgia Tech 30–27.
The most recent edition saw Duke defeat Arizona State 42–39 in another high-scoring affair, cementing the Sun Bowl’s reputation for delivering exciting, down-to-the-wire finishes. Duke claimed the title of Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Champions in a game that kept fans on their feet through the fourth quarter.
Sun Bowl Stadium holds approximately 51,000 fans and is located on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The stadium is built into a natural bowl formation in the foothills, offering panoramic views of the Franklin Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert. It’s an open-air venue, but El Paso’s mild winter weather typically means comfortable game-day conditions with clear skies and temperatures in the 50s.
The Sun Bowl’s alumni list is remarkable: over 1,300 NFL draftees and 131 first-round picks have taken the field in El Paso. Four Heisman Trophy winners — Carson Palmer, LaDainian Tomlinson, Tony Dorsett, and Jayden Daniels — played in the Sun Bowl during their college careers. The game has also featured 114 Consensus All-Americans, reflecting its ability to attract top-tier talent year after year.
El Paso is a vibrant border city with a unique cultural identity. Fans can explore the El Paso Museum of Art, hike or drive through Franklin Mountains State Park (the largest urban park in the contiguous U.S.), visit the historic Plaza Theatre, or sample Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine along the city’s restaurant row. For adventurous visitors, the international bridge to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico is just minutes from downtown, offering a cross-border dining and shopping experience. Sun Bowl week also includes a parade and fan events throughout the city.
Sun Bowl Stadium is located at 2701 Sun Bowl Drive, El Paso, TX 79902 on the UTEP campus. El Paso International Airport (ELP) is about 15 minutes from the stadium. Parking is available on campus and in nearby lots, though arriving early is recommended for the best spots. Rideshare services operate throughout El Paso, and many downtown hotels are within a short drive of the venue.
The Sun Bowl is generally one of the more accessible bowl games when it comes to ticket pricing. Seat costs depend on section and demand once teams are announced. This marketplace has been trusted by fans for over 20 years with top Trustpilot ratings, and every listing displays the complete price with no hidden fees.
View all available Sun Bowl 2027 listings at the top of this page. Filter by price, section, or row to find your ideal seats at Sun Bowl Stadium for the December 31, 2026 game.
Multiple verified sellers list tickets at competitive prices, so take a few minutes to compare. Sideline seats put you closer to the action, while higher rows offer sweeping mountain views behind the stadium. Every listing shows the all-in price — no surprises.
Finalize your purchase through the secure checkout process. Each transaction includes a 100% buyer protection guarantee, and your tickets will arrive well before New Year’s Eve kickoff. Support is available if you have any questions along the way.
There’s no better way to close out 2026 than with live college football in the desert Southwest. Arrive at Sun Bowl Stadium early, take in the mountain scenery, watch two talented teams compete in one of the country’s oldest traditions, and then ring in the new year El Paso–style. The Sun Bowl has been delivering memories since 1935 — December 31, 2026 is your turn.
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