Bluebonnet Bowl(defunct)
Stadium	Astrodome
Location	Houston, Texas
Previous stadiums	Rice Stadium (1959–1967, 1985–1986)
Operated	1959–1987
Succeeded by	Houston Bowl (2000)
Sponsors
None
Former names
Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl (1968–1984, 1987)

Bluebonnet Bowl Awards dinner program and menu, Shamrock Hotel, Houston, Texas – Tulsa University v. University of Mississippi, 1964 (12-19-1964)

TheBluebonnet Bowl was an annualcollege footballbowl game played inHouston, Texas.^[1] A civic group was appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee in 1959 to organize the bowl game. It was held atRice Stadium from 1959 through 1967, and again in 1985 and 1986. The game was played in theAstrodome from 1968 through 1984, as well in 1987. When held in the Astrodome, it was called theAstro-Bluebonnet Bowl. The proceeds from the bowl games were distributed to variousHarris County charitable organizations. The game was discontinued following the 1987 season due to poor ticket sales and lack of a title sponsor.^[2]

The Bluebonnet Bowl generally featured a team from Texas against an out-of-state opponent; 19 out of the 29 games involved a team from Texas. From 1980 to 1987, with the exception of 1981, a runner-up from theSouthwest Conference played against an at-large opponent. The hometownHouston Cougars played in four games, all before joining the SWC. Runners-up from theBig 8 orSoutheastern Conferences were also perennial participants.

Thebluebonnet is the state flower of Texas.

Bowl games returned to Houston in 2000 with theHouston Bowl, and then theTexas Bowl since 2006.

The Bluebonnet Bowl was broadcast by:^[4]

• CBS (1960–1963)
• ABC (1964–1967)
• Syndication (1968–1972)
• ABC (1973–1975)
• TVS Television Network (1976)
• Mizlou Television Network (1977–1981)
• ESPN (1982)
• Mizlou (1983)
• ESPN (1984)
• USA Network/Lorimar Sports Network (1985)
• Raycom Sports (1986)
• Mizlou (1987)

• List of college bowl games

• Bluebonnet Bowl
• Defunct college football bowls
• Recurring sporting events established in 1959
• Recurring sporting events disestablished in 1987
• 1959 establishments in Texas
• 1987 disestablishments in Texas

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