A Fan’s Guide to a Texas Friday Night: Traditions, Bands, Mums and What to Bring

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There is nothing else quite like a Friday night in Texas in the fall. The lights come on, the band marches in, and a whole town fills the stands to watch teenagers play a game that, for three hours, feels like the most important thing in the world. Whether you just moved here or you’re visiting from out of state, this guide covers what to expect at a Texas high school football game and how to enjoy it like a local.

The season at a glance

• Late August: the season kicks off, often in triple-digit heat.
• September: non-district games against teams from nearby towns.
• October: district play, homecoming and the big rivalry games.
• November and December: the playoffs, ending with state championships at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (How the playoffs work)

Getting tickets

Regular-season tickets are cheap, usually a few dollars for students and not much more for adults. Many school districts have moved to digital tickets, so check the district athletics website a few days before the game. Some sell season tickets for reserved seats on the home side; those are passed down in families in some towns. For rivalry and playoff games, buy early.

Home side or visitor side?

Texas stadiums are split down the middle: home fans on one side, visitors on the other, each with their own band and student section. Sit with the team you’re cheering for. If you’re neutral, the home side usually has better concessions and the bigger crowd.

The traditions

The band

In Texas, the marching band isn’t background noise. Bands spend all summer and fall on a competition show and perform it at halftime. Many fans stay in their seats at halftime just for the band, and the drill team and dance squads are a big part of the show too.

The run-through

Before kickoff, cheerleaders hold up a giant paper banner and the team bursts through it. Some schools have the players run through a smoke tunnel or follow a mascot, a flag or a horse onto the field.

Homecoming and mums

Homecoming week usually falls in October. Students wear homecoming mums, huge ribbon-and-trinket corsages in school colors, to school and to the game, and the homecoming court is introduced at halftime.

The school song and the alma mater

After the game, win or lose, both teams often stand in front of their student sections for the alma mater. Stay for it. It’s one of the most Texas moments of the night.

Friday at school

Game day starts long before kickoff. There are pep rallies in the gym, players wearing jerseys to class, and spirit signs on lawns and storefronts all over town.

Food and concessions

Every stadium has a concession stand, usually run by booster clubs and parent volunteers. Look for Frito pie (chili and cheese poured into a bag of Fritos), nachos, giant dill pickles, brisket sandwiches at some West Texas stadiums, and plenty of sweet tea. Buying from the booster club stand directly supports the team and band.

What to wear

• School colors. The more the better.
• Layers. It can be 95 degrees at kickoff in September and 50 by the fourth quarter in November.
• Comfortable shoes. You’ll climb concrete stadium steps.

What to bring: the Texas Friday night checklist

Many Texas stadiums have clear-bag rules, so check before you go. Here’s what experienced Texas football families pack:

• A stadium seat with a back. The single most useful thing you can bring to a four-hour night on bleachers.
• A clear stadium bag to get through the gate quickly.
• A handheld misting fan for August and September games.
• A waterproof stadium blanket for November and the playoffs.
• A small power bank. Digital tickets, photos and videos drain a battery fast.
• A collapsible water bottle (check whether your stadium allows empty bottles).

Tailgating

Tailgating at high school games is more low-key than at college games, but it happens, especially in small towns and at playoff games played at neutral sites. Families set up in the parking lot with lawn chairs, a grill and coolers. Check your district’s rules, since many school campuses don’t allow alcohol or open flames.

Etiquette tips for first-timers

1. Stand for the national anthem and for the school songs.
2. Don’t walk in front of the band or drill team while they perform.
3. Cheer for your team, not against the other team’s kids.
4. Keep the student section to students.
5. Thank the volunteers at the gate and concession stand.

Where to go for your first game

For the full experience, pick a rivalry or homecoming game. For the biggest crowd, try one of the state’s biggest high school stadiums. And for the real small-town magic, drive to a town with one high school and one stoplight, where it feels like everyone you meet is either playing, marching, cheering or related to someone who is.