Two college football teams will make history in a matter of weeks, as they’re set to face off in the first edition of the sport’s newest bowl game.
Missouri State and Arkansas State will play one another in the first-ever Xbox Bowl in Frisco, Texas on December 18th.
“We’re proud to welcome Xbox as the title sponsor of this bowl game as their brand aligns perfectly with the excitement and energy of college football and especially the Bowl Season,” said Sean Johnson, the game’s executive director.
“Plus, we couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to host two great football teams to experience the Xbox Bowl.”
BOWL SEASON IS HERE 🔔 🏈 @MoStateFootball will face @AStateFB in the XBOX Bowl#BowlSeason #CFB #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/JJ9RJA3ehB
— Coca-Cola Bowl Season (@BowlSeason) December 4, 2025
What Can Fans Expect From the Xbox Bowl?
In a statement, organizers announced that there will be “Xbox-themed moments and in-venue activations” during the game, giving fans the chance to engage with one of the world’s most prominent gaming brands.
Chris Lee, vice president of Xbox marketing, says that the game is “where the thrill of game day meets the joy of play,” and that the game gives the brand an opportunity to merge the fan support shown in both sports and gaming.
Game On‼️
Arkansas State will face off against Missouri State in the first ever X-Box Bowl in Frisco, Texas. The game will be played on December 18th.#WolvesUp🐺 I #PoundTheRock🪨🔨 pic.twitter.com/NMQmteoFBQ— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) December 4, 2025
“Together we are celebrating the passion for play, on the field and in the ways people love to game, and reimagining what game day can be for lifelong players and for those experiencing the thrill for the first time,” Lee said.
Arkansas State is appearing in its 13th bowl game in program history after a 6-6 record in the regular season, while Missouri State is making its bowl debut after qualifying in its first season as an FBS program.
The Bears went 7-5 with a 5-3 conference record for their first season at the top level of college football, including a win over last season’s Sun Belt conference champion Marshall.
Which Bowl is the Xbox Bowl Replacing?
The Xbox Bowl will replace the Bahamas Bowl, which ran after nearly every college football season after its debut in 2014. Western Kentucky defeated Central Michigan in the first-ever edition of the game, coming away with a victory in a 49-48 thriller.
Teams from the MAC and Conference USA continued to compete in the event year after year, with the game not taking place in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.
The Xbox Bowl will be played at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas – the Dallas Cowboys’ state of the art training facility and sports complex. The Ford Center seats over 12,000 fans for football, and The Star is also home to Omni Frisco – a 16-floor luxury hotel with over 300 rooms.
