“With the scent of barbecue in the air and a sea of red in the stands, Kansas City is the best football atmosphere in the country.” – Sports Illustrated

Although the magazine may have been referring to the Chiefs game day, it also alludes to the unmatched experience that is in store for Big 12 fans.

Kansas City loves its football. This December, the spotlight turns to Arrowhead Stadium—marking the fifth time in the conference’s 13-season history that KC has hosted the “big game.” That’s more than any other city in the Big 12 Conference. Previous Championships in Kansas City have averaged more than 74,300 in attendance, including three sold-out crowds in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

About Arrowhead Stadium

Arrowhead Stadium is home to the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs and is known as one of the loudest football stadiums in the country. The "sea of red" was officially christened on August 12, 1972, as the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals met for the inaugural game.

Arrowhead Stadium has hosted four Big 12 football championship games, more than any other venue in the league. The arena also holds the record for the largest championship attendance – 80,031 in 2006. (Due to construction, the seating capacity for the 2008 season is 77,038.) Past match-ups included: Kansas State versus Oklahoma in 2000 and 2003, Colorado versus Oklahoma in 2004, and Nebraska versus Oklahoma in 2006. For the last two years, the Stadium has also played host to the oldest college football rivalry west of the Mississippi River – Big 12 foes Kansas and Missouri. This year’s Border Showdown is scheduled for Nov. 29.

When it opened, Arrowhead Stadium was one of the first truly modern football venues. It is now undergoing its first major renovation in 40 years, a $375 million upgrade. The New Arrowhead is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment destination that will serve as the setting for future generations of fans. Enhancements include wider concourses, more restrooms, added concessions, plus new amenities like a new stadium club, a Chiefs Hall of Fame museum and expanded space for memorabilia.

For more information about Arrowhead Stadium, visit www.kcchiefs.com.

About the Big 12 Conference

The Big 12 Conference, headquartered in Irving, Texas, was formed in 1994 when the former Big Eight Conference merged with four members of the former Southwest Conference. Athletic competition in the conference commenced in August 1996. The conference sponsors 21 sports – 10 men’s and 11 women’s.

NCAA regulations state that any 12-team conference must determine its football champion through the play of a 13^th game. When the league was formed, it was decided that the top-performing team from the South Division would play the top-performing team from the North Division at the end of the season to determine a conference champion. This year’s Championship competitors include one team from each of the Divisions: Missouri from the North and Oklahoma from the South. The winner will receive the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Bowl Championship Series.

• North Division: Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri and Nebraska
• South Division: Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech

For more information about the conference, visit www.big12sports.com.

Championship History

Results by Team