It’s officially game week in Stephenville.
Tarleton State Football kicks off the 2026 season this Saturday, August 29, and the first game of the year is a PURPLE OUT.
That means one thing: it’s time to fill the stands with purple and show up for the Texans.
Whether you’re heading to your first Tarleton football game as a student or you’ve been cheering on the Texans for years, there’s nothing quite like the first game of the season. The tailgates are back, Memorial Stadium is ready, and Texan Nation finally gets another Saturday of football in Stephenville.
It’s a Purple Out
Saturday isn’t just the season opener—it’s a Purple Out.
Students, alumni, families, and fans are encouraged to wear purple and help turn the stands into a sea of Tarleton pride.
If your closet needs a little more purple before Saturday, Barefoot has you covered. Shop Tarleton t-shirts, game-day tops, hats, accessories, and more to put together your Purple Out look.
Go all purple or add your own spin to it. The only rule this Saturday? Wear purple.
Tarleton Game Day Is Back
There’s something different about Stephenville on a football Saturday.
Purple starts showing up everywhere. Tailgates get going. Friends come together. Alumni make their way back to town. And the excitement builds as kickoff gets closer.
After waiting all year, it’s finally time to do it all again.
And with Saturday marking the first game of the 2026 season, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Find Your Purple Out Fit at Barefoot
Still deciding what to wear? Stop by Barefoot Campus Outfitter in Stephenville before game day and get Purple Out ready.
From classic Tarleton tees and new game-day styles to hats, accessories, and layers, we have plenty of ways to rep the Texans from the tailgate to the stands.
You can also shop the Tarleton State Collection online and choose in-store pickup to grab your order at our Stephenville store before the game.
See You Saturday, Texan Nation
The wait is over.
Tarleton Football is back. The first game of the season is here. And Memorial Stadium is going purple.
Grab your friends, wear your purple, and get ready to cheer on the Texans this Saturday, August 29.
Let’s start the season the right way.
Go Texans!
