Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is always teeming with celebrities for Texas home football games. But the venue might see more stars than normal when the No. 16 ranked Longhorns host in-state rival No. 3 Texas A&M on Friday night.
The Black Friday edition of the Lone Star Showdown has serious implications on the line with both teams jostling for playoff positioning. The game will be the last at home for Texas this season, giving stars their last chance to catch a glimpse of the Longhorns in Austin this year.
Here’s all who might be spotted at this year’s game.
Matthew McConaughey
The famed actor and Texas alumnus is always a presence on the Longhorns’ sidelines. McConaughey is the school’s “Minister of Culture” and is at every Texas home and road football game, including the recent loss to Georgia in Athens. Friday will be no different.
Glen Powell takes photos with fans during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman)
Glen Powell
Like McConnaughey, Powell is a regular at UT games after growing up in Austin as a diehard Longhorns fan. The actor also revealed recently that he’s now a student at the school and slated to graduate in Spring 2027. Expect Powell to be in his hometown alongside his classmates on Friday.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott watches the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
Greg Abbott
Texas’ governor is also a typical figure seen on UT’s sidelines. Abbott is an alumnus of the school and a big fan of the Longhorns. The state’s administrative leader will likely take to the sidelines as well as two of Texas’ powerhouses are pitted against each other.
Senator Ted Cruz joined Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts in the Kyle Field press box Saturday before the Aggies’ game against Notre Dame. (Brent Zwerneman)
Ted Cruz
It’s possible that Abbott won’t be the only politician in the crowd on Friday. Cruz, a Senate representative for Texas, attended last year’s revitalization of the rivalry and is a regular at major sporting events around the state. The frequent defeats suffered by Texas teams when the senator is in attendance has caused fans to admonish his presence and create the “Ted Cruz Curse.” Cruz poked fun at the notion last year as he wore a Switzerland t-shirt to express neutrality and said he had no rooting interest for either team.
This article originally published at Texas A&M at Texas: From Matthew McConaughey to Glen Powell, celebrities to watch.