Organizers have released ticket sales dates and a complete schedule of events for the upcoming 2026 Salt Bowl rivalry matchup between the Benton Panthers and Bryant Hornets. Tickets go on sale August 17 and the game is Friday, August 28, at Hornet Stadium. Local fans can now prepare for game-week pep rallies, community blood drives, and charity donation contests. Read more below.
Salt Bowl 2026 – Benton vs. Bryant
7:00 p.m., Friday, August 28th, 2026
Hornet Stadium (map)
“Stars, Stripes and Friday Night Lights”
The Salt Bowl Committee is pleased to announce that Salt Bowl 2026 will be “Stars, Stripes and Friday Night Lights” Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday! The largest high school football game in the State of Arkansas will be played on Friday night, August 28th, at 7:00 pm at Hornet Stadium in Bryant.
SPONSORS
The Presenting Sponsor of Salt Bowl 2026 is Everett Buick GMC, and joining them as sponsors of this year’s game are Jones Heating and Air, Bryant Family Pharmacy, and First Security Bank.
GAME WEEK – AUG 24-28
Game week will kick-off on Monday August 24th with the beginning of the annual Salt Bowl Peanut Butter Drive that is always a great competition between the schools and both districts, the drive will run through the end of September. Be sure to send peanut butter to your favorite school in each district.
CHARITY DONATION DRIVES
The Salt Bowl Committee is pleased to once again work with great organizations to give back to our community: the Arkansas Blood Institute and Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, and we will also have the annual Salt Bowl Peanut Butter Drive that we will begin the week of Salt Bowl and go throughout the month of September.
Our Blood Institute will be holding Special Salt Bowl Community Blood Drives. The Benton Community Blood Drive is 10 am-5 pm on Monday August 24th, at the River Center. The Bryant Community Drive is from 10 am-5 pm Tuesday August 25th at Bishop Park, Court 1. The community that donates the most blood will receive a very large trophy to display at their community center. Details on the special promotions and links to schedule appointments can be found by visiting https://obi.org/events/blood-drive-blitz/
High School Blood Drives: The Benton High School Blood Drive is from 9:00 am-2:00 pm on Monday August 31st, in the ROTC room, and the Bryant High School Blood Drive is from 9 am-2 pm on Thursday, September 10th, in the Multi-Purpose Room. The districts will be competing for a trophy for the school that donates the most pints of blood. The winner of the High School Blood Drive will be announced during the Saline County Shootout on December 18th at Panther Arena.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is another strong partner of Salt Bowl. Beginning Monday August 17th through Thursday August 27th, Goodwill stores in Benton and Bryant will collect Salt Bowl donations. Students, families, and the community are encouraged to donate gently used clothing and household items at their respective Goodwill locations. In addition to helping fund numerous programs that provide education, training, and employment assistance, donations collected will mean money for the school districts and gift cards for families in need. Fans can also make a monetary donation at GoodwillAR.org, designating the school to support.
The donations will be totaled, and the winning district will be named at the game. The district with the most donations will receive a check for $1,500, along with $500 in gift cards to give to families in need. The second-place district will also receive $500 in gift cards, plus a check for $1,000.
SHIRTS
Salt Bowl 2026 T-shirts can be purchased at https://crxted.com/saltbowl. T-Shirts, tank tops, toddler and infant apparel are also available now.
PEP RALLIES – AUG 25
Once again both teams will be having community pep rallies for football and volleyball at 6:00pm on Tuesday night August 25th Benton will be at Everett Infiniti and Bryant will be at Everett Buick GMC along Interstate 30 directly across from each other.
PRESS CONFERENCE – AUG 26
On Wednesday the 26th we will have the Annual Coaches’ and Players’ press conference and Benton and Bryant Chamber luncheon sponsored by First Security Bank held from 11:30am to 1pm at the Saline County Career and Technical Campus-ASU Three Rivers and via Zoom. Coach Brad Harris, Coach Quad Sanders and players from each team will be available for interviews about this year’s game. A Zoom link will be sent to the members of the media prior to the press conference.
VOLLEYBALL BATTLE – AUG 27
The Annual Battle of the BTowns Volleyball Game will be on Thursday night with the Bryant Lady Hornets Volleyball team taking on the multiple State Champion Benton Lady Panthers at Panther Arena at 5 pm.
TICKETS
Bryant ticket info: Parents/guardians of Bryant football travel team players, cheer, dance, and band students can purchase 2 tickets through their student’s coach or director. Bryant patrons will receive blue, Bryant-branded tickets. Bryant High School students may purchase one ticket during lunch beginning Monday, August 17. Seniors will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets.
Benton ticket info: Parents and guardians of Benton football, cheer, dance, and band students will have the opportunity to purchase two tickets through their child’s coach or director. Benton High School students may purchase one ticket per student during the first week of school. All previously held reserved seating will be honored, and AAA passes will be accepted for general admission only. General admission tickets will go on sale Monday, August 17, 2026, at the south ticket box of Everett Field at Panther Stadium from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., or until sold out. Tickets are $15 each, CASH ONLY (no checks or debit cards), with a limit of four tickets per family. Ticket sales are first come, first-served and are for Benton Patrons. Benton patrons will receive maroon, Benton-branded tickets.
General admission tickets will go on sale Monday August 17th 2026 at the Hornet Stadium ticket booth from 10am-2pm or until sold out. Tickets are $15 each, CASH ONLY, with a limit of two tickets per person. AAA passes are accepted for general admission only.
TAILGATE
You will not need a game ticket to attend the Tailgate Party. If you do have a ticket, the gates will open at 6pm and Benton fans must use the Benton gate which will be on the east side of Hornet Stadium, and Bryant fans must use the Bryant gate on the north side of the stadium.
PAY-PER-VIEW STREAMING
There will be a Pay-Per-View option for this year’s game. More information on how to purchase the game will be released closer to game day.
TAILGATE
This year’s event will include the annual Arkansas’ Largest High School Tailgate Party, featuring over 70 vendors and organizations from across Saline County. It will kick off at 4 pm on the East and North Side of Hornet Stadium. Anyone interested in renting a booth space should contact Dee Ann Shepard at the Bryant Athletic Office [email protected], 501-653-5151. Vendor Booths will close at 7 pm.
KICKOFF & HALFTIME
The Rob Patrick Award will be presented prior to kickoff of the game and at halftime, the Legacy of Bryant and Bryant Varsity Dance will perform.
MAGAZINE
Also hitting the newsstands is the annual Salt Bowl Edition of the Saline County Lifestyles Magazine, be sure to look for one around town.
UPDATES
For updates regarding this year’s game, fans can visit each school’s athletic website, our Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram @SaltBowlAR. Comment using the hashtag #StarsStripes&FridayNightLights
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