A Better Life OKC Blog

Where to watch football in Oklahoma City this season

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Football season is in full swing, and in Oklahoma, finding the right place to watch the game can be almost as important as the matchup itself.

Whether you’re following your favorite college team on Saturday, settling in for a full slate of NFL games on Sunday or looking for a spot to catch a primetime matchup, Oklahoma City has plenty of options. From dedicated sports bars packed with TVs to patios and neighborhood hangouts, here are a few places to catch the action this football season.

Bush League Sports Tavern

One of the newer additions to Oklahoma City’s sports-bar lineup, Bush League Sports Tavern at Northpark Mall was designed with game days in mind. TVs fill the space, making it easy to keep an eye on multiple games at once while grabbing food and drinks with a group.

With college football Saturdays and NFL Sundays bringing plenty of simultaneous matchups, Bush League is a good option for fans who want the full sports-bar atmosphere.

The GOAT Sports Bar

For fans looking to watch downtown, The GOAT Sports Bar brings game day to Automobile Alley with two levels of space and a rooftop patio.

Multiple screens throughout the bar make it a spot to follow the weekend’s biggest games, while its downtown location makes it easy to turn watching the game into part of a longer day or night out in Oklahoma City.

Klutch

Klutch has leaned into football season with college football on Saturdays and NFL games throughout the week, including Sunday, Monday and Thursday matchups.

The restaurant and bar combines plenty of screens with a social atmosphere, making it an option for groups whose game-day plans include more than sitting in front of a single television for four quarters.

Republic Gastropub

If you want the game without giving up a more restaurant-focused experience, Republic Gastropub has long been a go-to for Oklahoma City sports fans.

The Classen Curve restaurant features televisions throughout the space alongside an extensive food and drink menu. It’s an especially good fit for groups that may not be equally invested in every snap but still want to keep up with the game.

Ballers Bar and Grill

Located along the Meridian corridor, Ballers Bar and Grill offers another option for football fans looking to follow games throughout the weekend.

The locally owned sports bar offers multiple TVs and pool tables, giving fans a place to settle in for an afternoon of football with food, drinks and plenty of games to follow.

74 Sports Kitchen & Cocktails

College football is a regular part of the lineup at 74 Sports Kitchen & Cocktails, where Saturdays bring games from across the country to screens throughout the restaurant.

The sports-focused restaurant regularly promotes college football game days, giving fans another place to grab a table, order food and drinks and keep up with multiple matchups throughout the day.

Social Capital

When Oklahoma’s fall weather finally cooperates, Social Capital offers a way to pair football with one of the city’s favorite patios.

Located next to Scissortail Park, the bar and restaurant offers indoor and outdoor space, an extensive beer selection and screens for keeping up with the game. It’s a good choice for fans who want to watch football without spending an entire fall afternoon indoors.

No matter which team gets your loyalty, Oklahoma City offers plenty of places to find a screen, grab some food and spend a Saturday or Sunday surrounded by fellow football fans. Just remember: when several teams are playing at once, showing up early never hurts.

This Week in OKC (September 14 - 20)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Oklahoma State Fair is back, but that’s not the only reason to get out in Oklahoma City this week. Shop local under the stars, catch live music, experience a longtime OKC tradition or spend an evening looking up at the Moon.

Oklahoma State Fair

Sept. 17-27 | OKC Fair Park

The Oklahoma State Fair is back with 11 days of rides, live entertainment, exhibits and, of course, plenty of fair food. This year’s lineup includes new food vendors, nightly concerts on the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage and Disney on Ice at the OG&E Coliseum.

Opening weekend highlights include Sebastian Bach with Great White on Friday and the Route 66 Red Dirt Music Festival on Saturday. Concerts on the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage are included with outside gate admission.

Night Market at Scissortail Park

Sept. 18 | Scissortail Park

Catch the final Night Market of the season at Scissortail Park. Shop outdoors along the Promenade while supporting local entrepreneurs, artisans and makers, with vendors set up under the stars in the Upper Park.

Wheeler Summer Concert Series

Sept. 18 | Wheeler District

Send off summer with one final night of live music at the Wheeler Ferris Wheel. The last Wheeler Summer Concert Series of the season features performances from DIVA, KYD and Kora Waves, plus food trucks, concessions and Ferris wheel rides.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for an evening of local music in the Wheeler District.

Oklahoma Opry

Sept. 19 | ACM@UCO

Catch a Saturday night of live country music with the Oklahoma Opry, Oklahoma’s longest-running weekly country music show. Hosted by Darlin’ Darla, this week’s lineup features Andrew Walker, Cassie Tompkins, Avery Brown, Anna Ediger, Linlie Pinney, Cindy Scarberry, Dustin Jones and the Oklahoma Opry Band.

Tickets are $20.

International Observe the Moon Night

Sept. 19 | Science Museum Oklahoma

Look up during International Observe the Moon Night at Science Museum Oklahoma. The free outdoor event joins NASA’s worldwide celebration of the Moon with telescope viewing, hands-on activities and help from museum staff spotting objects in the night sky.

Guests can also explore tactile lunar maps and meteorites or sketch their own observations. This year’s event coincides with the anniversary of the museum’s Love’s Planetarium.

Whether you’re headed to the fair, catching live music or spending Saturday night looking up at the moon, this week offers plenty of ways to get out and enjoy Oklahoma City as summer winds down and fall begins.

Fall favorites return to Oklahoma City

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Cooler weather, pumpkins and a few scares are on the way as some of Oklahoma City’s favorite fall traditions return for the season.

From a trip to the farm to an evening of Halloween thrills, there are plenty of ways to get into the fall spirit across the metro. Here are three seasonal favorites to add to your calendar.

Orr Family Farm Fall Festival

Fall arrives first at Orr Family Farm, where the annual Fall Festival returns on select dates from Sept. 19 through Nov. 14.

Visitors can take a hayride, try their hand at Cannon Blasters and enjoy other activities around the farm throughout the season. The festival kicks off with its Apple Festival on select September dates, while October brings Pumpkin Farm Nights featuring a lighted trail and photo opportunities after dark.

The farm will also host Trick 'Orr' Treat as part of its lineup of seasonal activities.

Fright Fest at Frontier City

Frontier City brings Halloween thrills to Oklahoma City with Fright Fest, returning Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 26 through Oct. 31.

During the day, families can enjoy Kids Boo Fest with trick-or-treating, fall activities and character photo opportunities alongside the park’s rides and attractions. Once the sun goes down, Fright Fest turns up the scares with haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment throughout the park.

Guests can brave haunted attractions including Midnight Mausoleum and Cadaver Castle or encounter monsters roaming scare zones like Clown Town and Shadow Realm. Haunted houses require an additional fee, and nighttime Fright Fest activities are recommended for guests ages 13 and older.

Pumpkinville: Road to Route 66

Thousands of pumpkins take over Myriad Botanical Gardens Oct. 1-25 as Pumpkinville returns with a theme celebrating one of Oklahoma’s most famous stretches of highway.

Pumpkinville: Road to Route 66 will feature seasonal displays, family activities and larger-than-life pumpkin murals inspired by landmarks along the Mother Road. Oklahoma icons including the Blue Whale of Catoosa and POPS Arcadia will be represented alongside roadside attractions from across the country, including Cadillac Ranch in Texas and the Wigwam Motel in Arizona.

Guests can also add a visit to the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory and rides on Mo’s Carousel with an all-inclusive pass.

With fall festivities stretching from September into November, there’s plenty of time to pick a favorite, or make room for all three, as Oklahoma City settles into the season.

Summer to Fall: Your September OKC Bucket List

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

September in Oklahoma City is a little bit of everything. Summer isn't quite finished, fall is just around the corner and the calendar is packed with plenty of reasons to get out and explore. Here are a few things to add to your OKC bucket list this month:

Catch one more summer sunset. Take an evening walk around Lake Hefner, spread out a blanket at Scissortail Park or find a patio and enjoy the last long evenings of the season.

Discover a new music festival. Bricktown turns up the volume Sept. 12 with the debut of Bandwagon: Bricktown Music Fest, a walkable, district-wide celebration of live music.

Celebrate OKC's cultures. Fiestas Patrias returns Sept. 13 with live music, dancing, food, family activities and cultural traditions celebrating Mexican Independence.

Make your annual State Fair visit. The Oklahoma State Fair returns Sept. 17-27 to OKC Fair Park. Come for the rides and entertainment and stay for the food.

Explore somewhere new. Pick an OKC district you don't visit often and make an afternoon of it. Grab coffee, browse a local shop, find a new restaurant or hunt down a piece of public art.

Get outside while the weather is changing. September is made for rediscovering OKC's parks and trails. Bike along the Oklahoma River, walk the trails around Lake Hefner or spend a morning exploring the gardens downtown.

Summer may be winding down, but Oklahoma City certainly isn't. Consider this your invitation to make the most of the month ahead.

Labor Day Weekend in OKC

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The unofficial end of summer is here, and a three-day weekend in Oklahoma City is the perfect excuse to make the most of it.

Friday: Start the weekend early. Clock out and kick off the long weekend with dinner on a patio, a walk through your favorite district or live music around town. At OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, the final Friday Fire Show of the summer lights up the Boardwalk Amphitheater at 9 p.m.

Saturday: Squeeze in one more summer adventure. Make this the day to get outside. Head to RIVERSPORT for whitewater rafting, surfing, tubing and more, or cool off at one of OKC's pools, splash pads or water attractions. OKANA is also sending off summer with a full day of beach activities, including a DJ, foam party and games, followed by line dancing and live country music that evening.

Sunday: Slow things down. Sleep in, grab brunch and spend the afternoon exploring. Take a walk through Scissortail Park or the Myriad Botanical Gardens, wander the shops and restaurants in a neighborhood district or finally visit that museum you've been meaning to see.

Monday: Enjoy the bonus day. There's no need to pack your schedule. Grab coffee, hit a trail or turn Labor Day into one last summer splash. Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving you another chance to get on the water before fall arrives.

Whether you're ready for one last splash, a night out or simply an extra day to explore, there's plenty happening around OKC this Labor Day weekend.

This Week in Oklahoma City (September 1 - 7)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What do you get when you cross the Labor Day holiday with the kickoff to college football in Oklahoma? A packed weekend that makes the perfect summer sendoff.

Explore watch parties and vintage finds to food fests and places to make one last splash of the season in Visit OKC’s Labor Day Weekend Guide.

FAM Night Market
September 5 | First Americans Museum

Drop by First Americans Museum and 39 Restaurant to shop from community vendors while enjoying live music, nutritious food and hands-on activities.

Time Travelers Vintage Expo
September 5 | Oklahoma City Convention Center

The most diverse traveling vintage market is coming to the OKC Convention Center. Attendees can expect to find a vintage wonderland with the absolute best in vintage clothing, home goods, retro-inspired handmade and more!

Food and Brew Festival
September 5-7 | Frontier City

Savor summer with world-class cuisine, craft beers, local music performances and your favorite Frontier City thrills.

Sundays on the Boardwalk
September 6 | OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Keep the long weekend going at OKANA's Sundays on the Boardwalk. Spend the afternoon browsing a local vendor market, listening to live music and enjoying food and drink specials along the boardwalk, plus a wellness class to help you recharge before Labor Day.

College Football Watch Parties
Various Dates | Cloud Puncher at Lively Hotel

Cheer on the Oklahoma Sooners or Oklahoma State Cowboys during our College Football Watch Parties at Cloud Puncher Rooftop Bar & Restaurant.

Team OKC seeks thousands of volunteers for LA28 Olympic games

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

This story originally appeared on VeloCity.

The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games may still be two years away, but Oklahoma Citians interested in being part of the action shouldn't wait to get involved.

Team OKC is seeking between 6,000 and 8,000 volunteers to support Oklahoma City's role as a host city for the 2028 Olympic Games. With strong interest expected, Team OKC anticipates its need for additional volunteers will begin to dwindle by the end of this year, making now the time for interested residents to apply.

Oklahoma City will host the Olympic softball and canoe slalom competitions during LA28, bringing athletes and visitors from around the world to the city. Volunteers will play an important role in helping support the Games and welcoming those visitors to Oklahoma City.

"The Olympic Games are powered by volunteers, and in 2028, thousands of Oklahomans will have the opportunity to help welcome the world to our city," said Michael Byrnes, president of Team OKC. "Whether you're greeting athletes, assisting fans or helping behind the scenes, every volunteer will play a role in creating an unforgettable Olympic experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of history, and we encourage anyone interested to apply today."

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, able to read, write and communicate proficiently in English, and pass a background check. Volunteer positions are unpaid, and participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging.

The broader LA28 volunteer application asks applicants to commit to at least 10 non-consecutive shifts of approximately eight hours each between March and August 2028. Team OKC expects the commitment for volunteers serving in Oklahoma City to be closer to six shifts, although local requirements are still being finalized.

The online application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Applicants do not have to finish it in one sitting and can save their progress and return later. Once an application has been submitted, however, it cannot be edited.

With thousands of volunteers needed to help Oklahoma City take the international stage in 2028, Team OKC is encouraging those interested in participating to apply early.

Applications are now open through the official LA28 Volunteer Portal.

This week in OKC (August 25-31)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

From budget-friendly bites and after-hours science to live music, spooky stories and Sunday fun, there are plenty of ways to get out and explore Oklahoma City this week.

SMO21+: Saddle Up

Aug. 28 | Science Museum Oklahoma

Science Museum Oklahoma is trading lab coats for cowboy hats during SMO21+: Saddle Up, an adults-only night of Western-inspired fun. Guests 21 and older can explore the museum after hours with hands-on science experiences, themed cocktails and live entertainment, all with a Wild West twist.

Tickets start at $35, and advance purchase is recommended as previous SMO21+ events have sold out.

10 Buck Lunch Week

Aug. 24-28 | Midtown

Grab lunch without breaking the bank during Midtown’s 10 Buck Lunch Week. Participating restaurants across the district are serving $10 lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, giving you a chance to try somewhere new or revisit a longtime favorite.

Round up your coworkers or friends and take advantage of one of Midtown’s tastiest weeks of the year.

Downtown OKC Ghost Tour

Aug. 28 | Bricktown and downtown OKC

Discover the darker side of Oklahoma City history during a guided ghost tour through Bricktown and downtown. The 80- to 90-minute outdoor walking tour shares true stories drawn from interviews and public archives, including tales of Bricktown ghosts, hidden underground tunnels and one of Oklahoma’s most haunted hotels.

This isn’t a haunted house or paranormal investigation. Instead, expect an evening of spooky storytelling and local history. Tickets are $13.

Toast to Toby Keith

Aug. 28 | Tower Theatre

Celebrate the life and music of Oklahoma country legend Toby Keith during Toast to Toby Keith, a tribute concert at Tower Theatre. The evening will honor Keith’s legacy while benefiting The Toby Keith Foundation and OK Kids Korral.

The show begins at 7 p.m., and general admission tickets start at $22.64.

Sundays on the Boardwalk

Sundays through Oct. 25 | OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Spend your Sunday at OKANA during Sundays on the Boardwalk, a free weekly event series featuring live entertainment, rotating local vendors, family-friendly activities and wellness experiences. Each week brings something different, from local boutiques and interactive crafts to coffee, smoothies and more.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a free weekly fitness class, food and activity discounts for Oklahoma residents and other special offerings. No hotel stay or waterpark day pass is required.

Spend a day exploring Oklahoma City's Plaza District

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

There's no single way to spend a day in the Plaza District.

You could catch a show, hunt for vintage finds, discover a new artist and eat your way down NW 16th Street, all without leaving one of Oklahoma City's most colorful neighborhoods.

That's part of what makes the Plaza worth exploring.

Come hungry

The Plaza packs plenty of flavor into a few blocks, with locally owned restaurants serving everything from pizza and comfort food to globally inspired cuisine.

Among them is Ma Der Lao Kitchen, where chef and owner Jeff Chanchaleune has created a dining experience rooted in Lao food and culture. Even the restaurant's name is an invitation, translating roughly to “come through” or “come eat.”

For Chanchaleune, the location has an unexpected personal connection. After opening his restaurants in the district, he learned his parents had once lived directly behind them.

“Full circle, actually, coming back to opening up a Lao restaurant in the neighborhood after being born into the neighborhood,” Chanchaleune said.

Find something you won't find anywhere else

The Plaza rewards wandering.

Independent shops, vintage finds, galleries, murals and studios line the district, making it easy to walk in without much of a plan and leave with something unexpected.

Bad Granny's Bazaar owner Diana Harris discovered the neighborhood that way herself in 2009. What she found was more than a place to open a business.

“What comes to my mind first is community, family, home,” Harris said. “Everyone is welcome.”

Make time for the arts

Art isn't confined to gallery walls in the Plaza.

Murals cover buildings throughout the district, while artists create inside spaces like Canopy, a cooperative studio shared by local artists.

“The Plaza isn't just one thing,” visual artist Dusty Gilpin said. “The Plaza is all the subcultures wrapped into one, and it's a really, really beautiful woven tapestry of creativity.”

The performing arts have a home here, too. Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma has been part of the district since 2001, bringing live productions to the Plaza Theatre on NW 16th Street.

See the Plaza through the people who know it best

The restaurants, shops and art give you plenty of reasons to visit. The people behind them are what tie the neighborhood together.

Hear from Chanchaleune, Harris, Gilpin and Lyric Theatre executive producer Ashley Wells in Visit OKC's video exploring the people and places that make the Plaza what it is.

Then pick a spot on NW 16th Street and experience it for yourself.

MAPS 4: What's New and What's Next

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you noticed a few more hardhats around Oklahoma City recently? MAPS 4 is moving from plans on paper to projects taking shape across the city.

Approved by voters in 2019, MAPS 4 is a $1.1 billion investment in projects designed to address residents' needs and improve the quality of life.

Work is moving forward on the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, envisioned as both a museum honoring Oklahoma City’s civil rights history and a community gathering place. Construction also began on the Robert Ravitz Crisis Center, which will expand access to mental health and substance-use intervention resources.

Elsewhere in the city, MAPS 4 investments bring new youth centers, improvements to neighborhood parks, sidewalks and trails, beautification projects and transportation enhancements.

Parks

Youth Centers

Senior Wellness Centers

Mental Health and Addiction services

Family Justice Center operated by Palomar

Transit

Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights

Homelessness services and housing

Downtown Arena and related facilities

New Animal Shelter

Fairgrounds Coliseum

Diversion Hub

Innovation District

Clara Luper Civil Rights Center

Beautification

Multipurpose Stadium

Some projects are already complete, others under construction and many more are moving forward in phases over the next several years. It’s all part of a program that puts more than 70% of its funding toward neighborhood and human needs.

From places that help us gather and play to resources that support residents when they need them most, the next chapter of MAPS is transforming our city and creating a better life those who call OKC home.