The Game Plan: A Weekend of Football in Lubbock, TX

After last season’s Big 12 victory, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are a team to watch once again. You can get in on the action at one of the seven home games from September through November. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or that special someone, it’s time to grab your tickets and plan a perfect weekend getaway to Lubbock, TX.

The Red Raider Crew

Whether you’re related by blood or have bonded as friends and alumni, the love of Red Raider football brings people together. When Texas Tech fans get together, the energy is palpable, and the enthusiasm is infectious.

If your closet is full of red and black, you're quick to flash a "Guns Up," and you can belt out the Red Raiders' fight song without skipping a beat, then you already know about Raider Alley and the Raider Walk. But for those who are new to Texas Tech football, your action-packed day begins long before kickoff at what’s now Galaxy Stadium.

You don’t want to miss the Raider Walk. That happens about a little over two hours before the game, when players walk to the stadium as fans cheer them on. After that, you’ll want to head over to Raider Alley. Located in the heart of the campus, the tailgating spot comes alive with concerts, food vendors, and pep rallies. You will want to plan on getting to the stadium on the earlier side, though. Inside the stands, excitement builds with happy hour, photo ops with mascot Raider Red, and the Masked Rider charging onto the field on a jet-black horse.

With all this action, you’ll need plenty of fuel during your stay. Luckily, Lubbock has everything from steak and craft beer at Triple J Chophouse & Brew Co. to Tex-Mex and margaritas at Chimy’s. Bier Haus is also another favorite down by campus, famous for its prickly pear margarita, which pairs perfectly with burgers or fish tacos.

However, no football weekend is complete without a visit to Dirk’s. This iconic restaurant serves some top-tier fried chicken and is home to artwork by Lubbock cartoonist Dirk West. His mustachioed cartoon character inspired the university’s Raider Red mascot.

If the night is still young, you can head over to The Blue Light, where cocktails, cold beer, and live music are always on tap.

The Family’s in Town

If your kiddo happens to be a Red Raider, mark September 26th on your calendar. That’s when Texas Tech will face off against Sam Houston State at home, and it also happens to be Parents Weekend. A whole lot is happening on one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. After a hearty breakfast at the Farmhouse Restaurant, take a stroll around campus. Its Spanish Renaissance architecture, red tile roofs, and ornately carved limestone columns modeled after a university in Madrid are a sight to see. You can spend a few moments at Memorial Circle, too, where alumni who’ve served in the U.S. military since World War II are honored. Before heading to the game, be sure to pick up an official 2026 game day T-shirt at Red Raiders Outfitter nearby.

Lubbock has attractions for the entire family beyond football, though. The National Ranching Heritage Center near the Texas Tech campus showcases the history of ranching through an indoor museum and an outdoor historical park, which has more than four dozen restored structures. Your kiddos will love the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center, where “Hank the Cowdog” shows little ones the ropes.

The American Windmill Museum is another family favorite. The museum not only preserves windmills from the 1800s and early 1900s, but also looks at the past, present, and future of harnessing wind power.

The family will have to eat sometime, and you might want to check out one of Lubbock’s famed burger joints. Blue Sky Burgers serves gourmet burgers with out-of-this-world hand-cut fries, while Wrecked Burgers & Brews over on Broadway has some more unique choices, like the Mac and Cheeseburger and the mouth-watering Guinness Baconator.

Your Favorite Fan

Planning a football getaway with your special someone? The October 17th Homecoming matchup against Arizona State is sure to be one of the most exciting weekends.

Start your day at Monomyth Coffee with a “Champions Blend” espresso or drip coffee and a light bite, then head to the Buddy Holly Center. Dedicated to Lubbock’s most famous legend, the museum tells Holly’s story through different exhibits, including his iconic glasses, guitars, and memorabilia. A fine art gallery and the childhood home of J.I. Allison — Holly’s best friend and drummer — are on site, as well.

For an unforgettable evening, you can dine at The Nicolett, where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into beautiful and flavorful High Plains dishes. For an especially romantic experience, request seating in the restaurant’s Greenhouse dining room.

You could also opt for The West Table Kitchen and Bar for a livelier meal. Chefs in the open kitchen prepare New American cuisine with an international twist. Both restaurants are near Buddy Holly Hall, which hosts all kinds of musicians, comedians, ballet, and Broadway shows. You might be able to catch a performance while you’re in town, too.

If sipping wine is one of your favorite pastimes, you’ll be happy to know you’re in wine country! Try out some local reds and whites at McPherson Cellars in Downtown Lubbock as you enjoy live music on the patio. A little farther south, over at English Newsom Cellars, you can taste wine flights from grapes grown, fermented, aged, and bottled on-site.

The perfect cap-off for the evening is at La Diosa Cellars, where Mediterranean tapas, an extensive wine list, cozy velvet seating, and live music are in store.

Your Weekend Game Plan

This fall, Lubbock has everything you need for a weekend getaway: Texas Tech football, an impressive food scene, wineries and breweries, live music, and family-friendly attractions. Buy your tickets and book your room. It’s time to cheer the Red Raiders toward another Big 12 victory!