'Rivalry renewed:' Ticket prices soar, bars brace 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 -- the fans aren't the only ones excited.
"UT games are our big day," said bartender Ethan Blanton.
Like many bars, the Rustic Tap in Austin is stocking up in anticipation of big watch party crowds and a post-Thanksgiving jolt. As kegs were being delivered, Blanton said their inventory will be double that of a normal day.
He expects their watch party will be packed "the entire 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%," said Blanton. "Sorry, cousin."
Ticket prices soar
In a sign of how divided fans are, some bars are displaying the flags of both schools. For those planning to travel to watch the game in person, it won't be cheap.
Between the NFL and college, this will be the most expensive regular season football ticket on record, according to TickPick, which reported an average purchase price of $1,079. A day before the game, we found a single ticket starting at around $520 on SeatGeek and soaring to almost $9,000.
The second priciest gameday ticket on record was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the New England Patriots in 2021 with an average purchase price of just over $900. That 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 kicked off with a new tradition honoring an old rivalry. Wearing military ruck packs, cadets and student veterans walked, and drove, the game football to College Station in what's being dubbed the "Ruck Across the Brazos."
"It not only honors this rivalry game but also the military history for both of our schools," said US Army Cadet and UT Austin student Jacob Tegtmeier. "It feels extremely special to be a start of this tradition that hopefully goes on for years and decades to come."
The trek will end in College Station at Kyle field, where Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko will receive the ball just before kick off.
"It means a whole lot. I think everyone's been waiting for this for so long. Just seeing it back and going on at Kyle Field, especially, means a whole bunch," said Treacy Collier with the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.
"Thirteen years in the making, this is huge," Collier added. "And then SEC game on the line is even bigger. So this means a lot."
'Rivarly Renewed'
At the non-profit University Co-op, new commemorative shirts capitalized on the excitement with slogans: "Rivalry Renewed," "House Divided" and "Lone Star Showdown."
"Oh, I'm nervous," said Robert Martinez. "I'm going to be nervous all day long until it's over and we win."
Martinez came with his 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 be watching the game Saturday in a house divided with their cousins, who are Aggies fans.
"They're both fantastic schools, so it's just fun to see them," Katie said.
"No," Jackie said laughing. "You have to be mean. No. They suck."
"It's really fun, actually," said Katie.
"We talk smack," said Jackie.
The Co-op said all of its profits went to course material scholarships helping nearly 7,000 students last academic year. This year the program expanded to include cheer and pom, the Longhorn band, and all student athletes.