December 20, 2020 Press Release

TCU AND ARKANSAS ACCEPT BIDS TO PLAY IN MERCARI TEXAS BOWL

Coaches to Discuss Mercari Texas Bowl in Conference Calls TODAY

HOUSTON – TCU and Arkansas have accepted bids to play in the 2020 Mercari Texas Bowl, the bowl organizing committee announced today. TCU will represent the Big 12 Conference and Arkansas will represent the Southeastern Conference. The 2020 Mercari Texas Bowl will be played on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium in Houston.  It will be televised on ESPN with radio broadcast nationally on ESPN Radio and locally in Houston on Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM). 

“We’re excited to announce the 2020 Mercari Texas Bowl matchup between TCU and Arkansas, two incredible universities from the Big 12 and the SEC,” said Board Chair Pete DeLongchamps. “We look forward to hosting the Horned Frogs and Razorbacks in the seventh consecutive Big 12 and SEC showdown. We can’t wait to welcome these teams and their fans for a great primetime matchup at NRG Stadium on New Year’s Eve.”

This will be the first time TCU and Arkansas have met at the Mercari Texas Bowl. The two schools have an outstanding history, having met 70 times with the Razorbacks leading the series with a 44-24-2 record. The two programs first met in 1920 when TCU was victorious 19-2. The last meeting occurred in 2017 when the Horned Frogs came out on top, 28-7.

Ticket prices range from $30-$150 and may be purchased online at www.MercariTexasBowl.com/tickets or on the phone at 832-667-2390. Special group packages are available by calling 832-667-2390. Fans can also call 832-667-2160 for more information on suites.  

The 2020 Mercari Texas Bowl will be the Horned Frogs’ second appearance in the bowl since 2007. In the Horned Frogs first appearance, they defeated the Houston Cougars 20-13. TCU has appeared in 34 bowl games, totaling a record of 17-16-1 in the postseason. In their 20th season under Head Coach Gary Patterson, the team finished their regular season with a 6-4 overall record and 5-4 record in Big 12 conference play. The matchup against the Razorbacks would be the first time the teams have seen each other since 2017, when the Horned Frogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-7.

The 2020 Mercari Texas Bowl would mark the Razorbacks’ second appearance in the bowl game. In their first trip to the Mercari Texas Bowl in 2014, the Razorbacks defeated the Texas Longhorns 31-7. The Razorbacks finished their regular season with a record of 3-7, in their first season under Head Coach Sam Pittman. The matchup against the Horned Frogs would be the 71st meeting between the two schools, dating back to 1920. 

Conference Call Information
The head coaches for TCU and Arkansas will conduct conference calls this evening to discuss the 2020 Mercari Texas Bowl. TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson will be available at 4:30 p.m. CT and Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman will be available at 4:45 p.m. CT. 

Zoom Link: https://houstontexans.zoom.us/j/88609217713?pwd=dlZ3ZzNNZWZUZ0JuU1FDRlc2WjF0dz09 
Zoom Call-In Number: 1-877-853-5247
Meeting ID: 886 0921 7713
Passcode: 743849
Availability:

    • TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson at 4:45 p.m. CT  
    • Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman at 5:00 p.m. CT 

MERCARI TEXAS BOWL
The Mercari Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. The Bowl has showcased teams from the Big 12 and the SEC, two of the country’s premier conferences since 2014. The Mercari Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field over its first 14 years as it is the 5th most-attended bowl in the country since 2016. The bowl generates over $30 million annually for the Houston economy and has donated nearly $2 million in financial support and millions more in promotional support to DePelchin Children’s Center, the bowl’s official charitable beneficiary.

ESPN Events 
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes four early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events, a college softball event and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment
Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as one of the leading sports event promoters in the country. In addition to hosting the Mercari Texas Bowl and the Texas Kickoff annually, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including the 2017 Manchester Derby, Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game featuring Manchester United, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. Tour, 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, and the 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cups. LSSE has also reinvigorated the Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B rivalry between Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State and has promoted major concerts featuring music superstars including George Strait, Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney.

CONTACTS:
Mercari Texas Bowl Contact: Allie LeClair, (832) 667-2050 or allie.leclair@houstontexans.com 
ESPN Media Contact: Anna Negron, (860) 766-2233 or anna.m.negron@espn.com ; @ItsAnnaNegron

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