The 68th AutoZone Liberty Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, in Memphis. Teams TBA. Parking from $45, parade Jan. 1, rodeo Dec. 30.

Last checked Oct. 27, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Every fact comes from the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s own site: its game page, tickets, parking, clear bag policy and event listings, linked below.

Yes, it is on. The 68th AutoZone Liberty Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Liberty Park, the bowl says. The teams have not been named; the bowl will announce its matchup in December, and we will add it here. Bowl week brings a pro rodeo on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and a free Beale Street Parade at 2 p.m. New Year’s Day. Tickets are sold by phone at 901-795-7700.

Plan ahead

Bowl week at a glance

Date Event Where Cost
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2:30 p.m. 24th High School All-Star Game Memphis University School See the bowl’s listing
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m. Pro Rodeo Agricenter Show Place Arena, 7777 Walnut Grove Road $20 adults, $5 for kids 10 and under
Thursday, Dec. 31, 9 a.m. FCA Breakfast Hilton Memphis Call the FCA office
Friday, Jan. 1, 2 p.m. Beale Street Parade Beale Street Free
Friday, Jan. 1, 3:30 p.m. Bash on Beale Pep Rally Handy Park, Beale Street Not listed
Friday, Jan. 1, 6 p.m. President’s Gala The Peabody $250 a person, $2,500 a table of 10
Saturday, Jan. 2 Gold Star Families March Memphis Sports and Events Complex Not listed
Saturday, Jan. 2, 3 to 5:30 p.m. Pre-Game Buffet and Party Liberty Park, next to the stadium $50
Saturday, Jan. 2, 6:30 p.m. 68th AutoZone Liberty Bowl Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Call 901-795-7700

Dates, times and prices are from the bowl’s events listing.

The game

The bowl has not announced its matchup or a TV network for the Jan. 2 game. Last season’s game, played Jan. 2, 2026, while the stadium was under construction, ended Navy 35, Cincinnati 13 before 21,908 fans, according to the bowl’s past results. Memphis itself played in the bowl in the 2023 season and beat Iowa State 36-26.

The bowl calls the stadium newly renovated and is selling new premium seats on the west side:

  • West Side Club: $400 a person, with reserved outdoor seats, food, an open bar and one VIP parking pass for every two seats.
  • West Side Loge Box: $2,400 for six seats and three VIP parking passes.
  • West Side Suite: $13,000 for 20 tickets and six VIP parking passes.

Action Packs bundle sideline tickets with Pre-Game Party tickets, a bowl association membership and parking, from $600 for four tickets (the Starter pack) up to $3,940 for 20. The bowl’s tickets page lists every tier. Game tickets are sold through the bowl’s ticket office at 901-795-7700, and its site also links to Ticketmaster.

Parking and getting there

The bowl sells parking in advance on its parking page:

  • Tan Lot general parking hangtag: $45 plus processing, mailed to you.
  • Digital general parking passes for Blue Lot 14 and the Tan Lot: $50 plus processing, listed as coming soon.
  • Tiger Lane tailgate spaces: $95, for bowl association members, by phone at 901-795-7700. Each comes with a 10-by-10-foot grass area and power. Enter at Access 8 or 9 off East Parkway South.
  • RV parking in Blue Lot 15: $150 with power or $100 without, by phone. Enter at Access 7 at Central Avenue and Early Maxwell Boulevard. RV and tailgate access opens at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, the day before the game.

Other rules on the bowl’s page:

  • Drop-off and pickup are at Access 2 off South Hollywood Street. From halftime, South Hollywood runs northbound only until traffic clears after the game.
  • Taxi, Uber and Lyft drop-offs are on the northbound curb of East Parkway at Tiger Lane. Follow directions from Memphis Police Department officers.
  • Accessible parking is in Lot 7, through Access 4 off South Hollywood, first come, first served, with a valid placard or plate. No tailgating there.

The bowl has not posted game-day road closures. Closures around downtown and the Beale Street Parade will be on our road construction and closures page when the city or the bowl posts them. Downtown parking decks for the parade are on our getting around page.

Clear bag policy

From the stadium’s clear bag policy:

  • Allowed: one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a small clutch about 4.5 by 6.5 inches.
  • Not allowed: purses larger than a clutch, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, diaper bags, camera and binocular cases, computer bags, briefcases and luggage.
  • Seat cushions must be 18 inches wide or less, with no armrests, pockets or zippers.
  • Medically necessary items are allowed after inspection.

Beale Street Parade and pep rally

The Beale Street Parade, presented by Southland Casino Hotel, starts at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, with floats and high school and university marching bands on Beale Street. Admission is free. The bowl has not posted the 2027 route or street closures.

The Bash on Beale Pep Rally follows at 3:30 p.m. in Handy Park, with fans of both teams, sponsored by the Beale Street Merchants Association.

Pro Rodeo

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Pro Rodeo, presented by Drexel Chemical Company, is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, in the Agricenter Show Place Arena. Bull riding, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling and barrel racing are on the card. General admission is $20 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under.

What this means for you

  • Buy parking ahead; only the $45 Tan Lot hangtag is on sale now, and it is mailed.
  • Bring a clear bag or none at all; backpacks are turned away.
  • The parade is free and on a federal holiday, so expect Beale Street to be busy from early afternoon on Jan. 1.
  • Check back in December for the teams, TV and any road closures.

Related: New Year’s Eve in Memphis, Beale Street, things to do this month and the Memphis Tigers and high school football.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 AutoZone Liberty Bowl?

The 68th AutoZone Liberty Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, according to the bowl.

Who is playing in the Liberty Bowl this season?

The teams have not been named. The bowl will announce its matchup in December, and this page will be updated when it does.

How much is parking for the Liberty Bowl?

The bowl sells a general parking hangtag in the Tan Lot for $45 plus processing, mailed to you. Digital passes for Blue Lot 14 and the Tan Lot, $50 plus processing, are listed as coming soon. Tiger Lane tailgate spaces are $95 and RV spaces in Blue Lot 15 are $100 or $150, bought by phone at 901-795-7700.

What bags are allowed at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium?

One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a small clutch about 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Backpacks, diaper bags, camera bags and purses larger than a clutch are not allowed.

When is the Liberty Bowl parade on Beale Street?

The Beale Street Parade is at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, and admission is free. The Bash on Beale Pep Rally follows at 3:30 p.m. in Handy Park.