Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – September 1, 2025 – Arkansas’ long-awaited in-state football showdown is finally here: Arkansas State University vs. the University of Arkansas kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Stadium gates open at 2:30 p.m., with tickets starting around $40, according to the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau and the stadium’s event listing.
For Red Wolves fans, the weekend starts downtown on Friday. The A-State Alumni Association is hosting “Howlin’ Hour” from 4:30–6 p.m. on the sixth floor of the ASU System Office inside the Winthrop Rockefeller Building (501 Woodlane St.). Expect light bites, beer and wine, and plenty of scarlet-and-black camaraderie as supporters roll into town.
Saturday’s A-State headquarters is the Little Rock Zoo, where “Wild for the Red Wolves – Tailgate vs. UA” runs from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. The zoo is reserved for Red Wolves fans and features food, fun and live music from Jonesboro favorites The Dukes of Hoggard. Admission options include a general-entry ticket (no meal) or a BBQ ticket with a catered lunch. Fans can also ride the Over-the-Jumps Carousel and Arkansas Diamond Express Train at no extra charge, courtesy of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Hog fans have a full slate, too. The “Razorback Red in the Rock” series begins Thursday with the Little Rock Regional Chamber’s Red in the Rock Tailgate at Park Plaza Mall from 5–7 p.m. and continues Friday with a networking event at Fassler Hall (5–7 p.m.) and a Bumpers College alumni happy hour at the Flying Saucer (5–7 p.m.). On game day, HogTown — the Razorbacks’ open-to-all pregame festival — runs noon–4 p.m., the Team Walk is scheduled for 1:45 p.m., and multiple Razorback-affiliated tailgates dot the War Memorial footprint. Families can also opt into the Parent & Family Association’s “HOG Wild Tailgate” near spots 46–47 from 2–3:30 p.m.
Beyond organized events, War Memorial’s long-running tailgating scene will be in full swing. The stadium says general-parking tailgating on War Memorial Park is first-come, first-served beginning early Saturday morning, with reserved and corporate options available for those who prefer a guaranteed spot. Expect lines to form well before lunch.
Whether you’re calling the Hogs or howling for the Wolves, be prepared for security screenings and the clear bag policy used at Arkansas athletic venues: bags must be clear (plastic, vinyl or PVC) and no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″; a small clutch up to 4.5″ × 6.5″ is allowed. Check stadium guides for prohibited items before you head to the gates.
This neutral-site clash is more than a football game; it’s a statewide moment. War Memorial Stadium notes the matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the Razorbacks and Red Wolves — and it’s happening in the capital city under a prime-time-ish kickoff. Expect a capacity crowd, heavy traffic near Markham, and a celebratory atmosphere across Midtown and downtown all weekend.
Key details at a glance: Arkansas State vs. Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 6, 4 p.m. kickoff; gates at 2:30 p.m.; A-State “Howlin’ Hour” Friday 4:30–6 p.m.; A-State zoo tailgate Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Razorback HogTown noon–4 p.m. with Team Walk at 1:45 p.m.; tickets from about $40 while supplies last.
