Frisco, Texas, is set to welcome a new bowl game that will take the place of the now-discontinued Bahamas Bowl, featuring teams Arkansas State and Missouri State. This exciting matchup is scheduled to take place at the Ford Center at The Star on December 18, with a kickoff time of 9 p.m. ET. The addition of this bowl game marks the completion of the 41st bowl event this season, accommodating a total of 82 participating teams.
Reports have suggested that plans for a replacement of the Bahamas Bowl had been in the works since the summer. The original Bahamas Bowl, which began in 2014, will not return, as sources indicate that its hosting venue is no longer available. While the future of the new Frisco bowl beyond this season remains uncertain, it presents a fresh opportunity for teams to compete.
Arkansas State, boasting a 6-6 record, enters the matchup after securing five wins in their last seven games, marking their third consecutive bowl appearance under coach Butch Jones. Meanwhile, Missouri State, with a 7-5 record, is celebrating its first bowl bid in the school’s history after transitioning from the FCS to the FBS as part of Conference USA. Notably, Missouri State became one of the last two teams selected for a bowl berth this season amid a competitive landscape of just 80 bowl-eligible teams.
The original Bahamas Bowl was last played in Charlotte in 2023 due to venue unavailability, which caused the game to be relocated. In addition to the Arkansas State versus Missouri State matchup, the Ford Center at The Star will also host the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl on December 23, as the previous site at Toyota Stadium undergoes renovations.
This newly established bowl game signifies a positive development for college football in Frisco, affording teams new opportunities for post-season play and fan engagement.