Locals’ Guide to the San Antonio Valero Alamo Bowl

On December 29, San Antonio will be overrun by college football fans from different parts of the United States. It’s college football bowl season once again, and it’s time for the city of San Antonio to host the annual Valero Alamo Bowl. If you’ll be in town for the game and you’re thinking about attending, follow our Locals’ Guide to the Valero Alamo Bowl for inside tips on events and activities leading up to game day.

The Teams: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. University of Colorado Buffalos

This year’s matchup at the Valero Alamo Bowl includes two top-25 ranked teams: the 12th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3) and the 10th ranked University of Colorado Buffalos (10-3).

Coming into this year’s game, the Cowboys may be the underdog, but they’re no strangers to the Alamo Bowl. In 2010, they played the University of Arizona, taking home the Alamo Bowl trophy thanks to a 36-10 victory over the Wildcats. The Cowboys also made an appearance in the 2004 Alamo Bowl, falling short to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Just one Alamo Bowl appearance behind Oklahoma State, Colorado made their last trip to San Antonio back in 2002 against the University of Wisconsin Badgers. Unfortuntely for the Buffalos, they feel short that year, losing 31-28 in overtime.

Despite both of their prior records in the Alamo Bowl, this year’s a whole new ballgame for both teams. In only his fourth season, Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre was named this year’s AP Coach of the Year after leading his team to victory during the final six games of the regular-season. On the other sideline, Oklahoma State is led by Head Coach Mike Gundy, whose in his 12th season with the Cowboys. According to Valero Alamo Bowl sources, Oklahoma State’s starting line-up also includes “five San Antonio high school products, including strong safety Jordan Sterns, a product of this years’ state semi-finalist Steele High School.” With stars on both sides of the field, this year’s game is sure to be a close matchup between these nationally ranked opponents.

The Stadium: The Alamodome

Since its first inaugural game in 1993, the Alamo Bowl has called the Alamodome home. Located in downtown San Antonio, the Alamodome has a capacity of 65,000 fans and is normally the home stadium for the UTSA Roadrunners of Conference USA. For the last 10 years, the Alamo Bowl has filled 97% of seats in the Alamodome each December.

Fans in attendance at the Alamodome this year can also look forward to the halftime show, which is said to pull together a “cast of over 1,000 high school musicians, dancers and cheerleaders from across America courtesy of WorldStrides Heritage Performance programs.”

Pep Rally, Bowl Bash & Fan Zone

The Valero Alamo Bowl hosts a number of events leading up to the big game. Three of the most popular events include the Pep Rally, Bowl Bash and Fan Zone.

Days before the game, Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally will take place at the Arneson River Theater on December 27 starting at 5pm. According to bowl game sources, “the head coaches, football players, pep bands and cheerleaders from Oklahoma State and Colorado show their colors as they face off in a spirited pep rally. This is a ‘must see’ event during bowl week that gives fans a chance to see the players and pep bands make their grand entrance on San Antonio’s famous river barges.”

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

On December 28 starting at 7pm, fans can prepare for the game the next day by celebrating at the Valero Alamo Bowl Bash, which is hosted at the Marriott Rivercenter. Fans will “experience Texas-sized hospitality with five gourmet action food stations, open bars, fan interaction activities, live music and casino games with chances to win great prizes including signed team memorabilia.”

Tickets to the Bowl Bash start at $275.00 per person.

On game day, December 29, the fun starts hours before kickoff at the Valero Alamo Bowl Fan Zone, located at Sunset Station (right near the stadium). Fan Zone opens at 2pm and admission is free. Fans can participate in a variety of interactive games, including testing their football skills, receiving face painting, collect the official game program and merchandise, in addition to enjoying plenty of food and drinks.

For more information about all Valero Alamo Bowl affiliated events, visit the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Additional Information: Parking & Transportation

The following information was retrieved from the official Valero Alamo Bowl website:

• The stadium parking lots open at 10am on game day. Alamodome lots are pre-paid parking only. Click here to view a parking map of the stadium.
• Public Transportation to the stadium is available via Bus Service starting 5pm on game day. It is $5 round-trip Park N Ride from Crossroads Mall, Blossom Athletic Center and Madla Transit. Park N Ride shuttles run every 30 minutes. Fans are dropped off at the North entrance of the Alamodome. Downtown Shuttles run every 10 minutes and is $1.20 each way. For more information, visit www.viainfo.net.
• Fans can utilize ride share to come and leave the Alamodome. First time Uber riders can use promo code VABOWL16 to receive a free ride up to $20 off.
• Downtown San Antonio has over 30,000 parking spaces at a variety of parking garages and surface lots where fans can park and get to the game. In general, Interstate 281/37 will be congested several hours prior to kick off. If you don’t have an Alamodome parking pass, do not try to exit near the facility. The most congested exits are 281/37 at Houston, Commerce and Cesar Chavez.

Tickets & Merchandise

The 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl kicks off on December 29 at 8pm CST at the Alamodome. Doors to the stadium open at 6pm. Tickets are available at www.alamobowl.com or the Alamodome Box Office.

Official Valero Alamo Bowl merchandise can be purchased at bowl game-affiliated events, at the stadium, or online.

For more information, be sure to visit the Valero Alamo Bowl website and check out the Official Fan Guide.