Missouri State University has accepted an invitation to participate in the inaugural Xbox Bowl, which will be played at the 12,000-seat Ford Center, located at The Star in Frisco, Texas, at 8 p.m. Dec. 18.

The Bears (7-5) will represent Conference USA in their first-ever FBS bowl appearance and will square off with Sun Belt representative Arkansas State (6-6) in the nationally-televised contest on ESPN2.

The Xbox Bowl, which replaces the now-defunct Bahamas Bowl, joins the portfolio of 17 postseason college football games owned and operated by ESPN Events, many of which have become launchpads for future NFL talent and unforgettable fan experiences.

Ticket info

Tickets for Missouri State’s Fan Sections are on sale now: SEATGEEK

Fan events

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 – Boomer’s Bowl Eve Spirit Rally (registration required)
• 4 p.m. Dec. 18 – Official Xbox Bowl Pre-Party (more information – RSVP requested)

Preferred hotel options

•   Cambria Hotel Plano Frisco, 7500 Parkwood Blvd., Plano, Texas; 972-473-9010
•   Hall Park Hotel, Frisco, 6801 Gaylord Parkway, Frisco, Texas; 972-377-1100
•   Embassy Suites, 7600 John Q. Hammons Drive, Frisco, Texas; 972-963-9215

Pre-order merchandise

Pre-order your Xbox Bowl gear from the Missouri State University Bookstore.