Less than a week after getting a new title sponsor, the Texas Bowl is now a no-go
The Mercari Texas Bowl will not happen this year. ESPN made the announcement Tuesday through a press release. According to information provided by ESPN, the cancellation — now the 16th on the year — is due to “an increased number of positive COVID-19 tests and other circumstances within the TCU football team.”
This year’s Texas Bowl was scheduled to take place at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 on ESPN from NRG stadium. It was going to feature a matchup of TCU and Arkansas.
Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher addressed the cancellation in a prepared statement.
“While we are disappointed in canceling this year’s game, we look forward to hosting both the Texas Kickoff and Texas Bowl next season,” said Fletcher. “We appreciate everyone’s support, including our new title sponsor, Mercari.”
Refunds are available for all ticketholders through the outlets through which they purchased tickets.
Tuesday’s announcement is now the fifth this month as well as being the 16th this season. The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl was cancelled Dec. 23.
The list of bowl games cancelled is noted below.
- Bahamas Bowl (C-USA vs. MAC)
- Celebration Bowl (MEAC vs. SWAC)
- Fenway Bowl (AAC vs. ACC)
- Hawaii Bowl (AAC vs. Mountain West)
- Holiday Bowl (ACC vs. Pac-12)
- Las Vegas Bowl (Pac-12 vs. SEC)
- Los Angeles Bowl (Pac-12 vs. Mountain West)
- Pinstripe Bowl (ACC vs. Big Ten)
- Quick Lane Bowl (ACC, Big Ten, MAC)
- Redbox Bowl (Big Ten vs. Pac-12)
- Sun Bowl (ACC vs. Pac-12)
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (AAC vs. WAC)
- Ticketmaster Birmingham Bowl (SEC vs. AAC)
- Perspecta Military Bowl (AAC vs. ACC)
- Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (SEC vs. C-USA)
- Mercari Texas Bowl (Big 12 vs. SEC)
The remaining schedule for Capital One Bowl Mania is noted below.
Date | Time (ET) | Event/Commentators | Network |
Tue, Dec. 29 | 5:30 p.m. | Cheez-It Bowl Oklahoma State vs. Miami Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Fla. Dave O’Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, Katie George Radio: Sean Kelley, Barrett Jones | ESPN and ESPN Radio / ESPN Deportes |
9 p.m. | Valero Alamo Bowl Texas vs. Colorado Alamodome – San Antonio, Texas Dave Pasch, Mike Golic Sr., Kris Budden Radio: Marc Kestecher, Trevor Matich | ESPN and ESPN Radio / ESPN Deportes | |
Wed, Dec. 30 | Noon | Duke’s Mayo Bowl Wake Forest vs. Wisconsin Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, N.C. Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Marty Smith | ESPN / ESPN Deportes |
4 p.m. | TransPerfect Music City Bowl Iowa vs. Missouri Nissan Stadium – Nashville, Tenn. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic Radio: Sean Kelley, Barrett Jones | ESPN and ESPN Radio / ESPN Deportes | |
Thu, Dec. 31 | Noon | Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl* Tulsa vs. Mississippi State Amon G. Carter Stadium – Fort Worth, Texas Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, Ian Fitzsimmons | ESPN / ESPN Deportes |
4 p.m. | AutoZone Liberty Bowl West Virginia vs. Tennessee Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium – Memphis, Tenn. Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Eric Wood Radio: Jay Alter, Brad Edwards | ESPN and ESPN Radio / ESPN Deportes | |
1 p.m. | Vrbo Citrus Bowl Auburn vs. Northwestern Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Fla. Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, Paul Carcaterra | ABC | |
Fri, Jan. 1 | Noon | TaxSlayer Gator Bowl N.C. State vs. Kentucky TIAA Bank Field – Jacksonville, Fla. Anish Shroff, Tom Luginbill, Lericia Harris | ESPN |
Sat, Jan. 2 | 12:30 p.m. | Outback Bowl Ole Miss vs. Indiana Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Fla. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic | ABC |
* — ESPN owned and operated event
More information on the ESPN networks’ college football coverage is available online along with all of the latest college football news at:
Website: http://www.espn.com/college-football
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CFBonESPN
Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb
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