State Fair of Texas Draws Nearly 2.1 Million as Attendance Rebounds

The State Fair of Texas closed its 24-day run on Oct. 18 with 2,083,178 visitors, up from 2,020,064 in 2025, which had been the lowest total in seven years.

Organizers credited affordability moves: lower ticket prices, cheaper games and rides, expanded free student days and a free parking day. Attendance in 2019 and 2022 had topped 2.5 million.

The busiest day

Saturday, Oct. 10, the day of the Texas–Oklahoma football game at the neighboring Cotton Bowl, drew 203,280 fairgoers, including 92,100 fans inside the stadium. The other 23 days averaged about 81,734 visitors, and nine days topped 100,000.

By the numbers

Fairgoers ate about 450,000 Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs, the fair's signature food. About 110,655 pounds of food were collected for the North Texas Food Bank. More than 28,600 military members and family visited on a discount, and roughly 500,000 midway prizes worth about $1.8 million were won. Big Tex, who debuted a new look and received an official State of Texas Historical Marker, stands 55 feet tall.

The 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards, announced in August, went to Burger Chop Tater Tacos (Best Savory), Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog (Best Sweet), Tropical Coco Fresca (Best Sipper) and Berry Me in Matcha (Most Creative). The fair is estimated to generate more than $600 million in annual economic activity.

Sources: CultureMap Dallas — State Fair attendance, Oct. 19, 2026; FOX 4 — 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards winners.