McCombs School of Business · The University of Texas at Austin
Every February, more than 600 MBAs from 20+ top programs come to Austin for a weekend of co-ed 8v8 soccer. We've been hosting it for over 28 years.
Photo: Noah Pineda, Winter Classic 2026
How the weekend works
Every team plays its bracket games across the fields at Whitaker. Results decide who moves on to Sunday.
Single elimination. Win and you move on. Tied playoff games go to kicks from the penalty mark.
The A Division and B Division winners lift the trophy and take home bragging rights until next February.
Partners
Stay in the loop
The 2027 Winter Classic is February 20–21. Registration details and the team fee go out to the mailing list first.
The tournament
The Winter Classic has brought MBA programs to Austin every February for more than 28 years. Teams enter the A or B Division, play bracket games on Saturday and fight through single-elimination playoffs on Sunday.
Divisions
Every team enters one of two divisions, so you play squads at a similar level. Each division crowns its own champion on Sunday.
Bracket play on Saturday, then single-elimination playoffs for the A Division title on Sunday.
Same format and same weekend, with its own bracket, its own playoffs and its own trophy.
Miscellaneous
Game rules
Venue
All games are played on the turf fields at Whitaker, a few minutes north of the UT campus along Guadalupe Street.
Getting there
The lot at Whitaker is reserved for student permits only. Street parking is available on Guadalupe Street, and there's additional parking off-site at the Winters C Building lot.
If you're not bringing your own vehicle, plenty of public transportation stops very close to the fields. Public transit or rideshare is the easiest way in.
Everyone must check in at the entrance on the west side of the complex before heading to the fields.
Both are centrally located at the main building.
Before you leave the hotel
Teams
Programs from across the US and Mexico made the trip to Austin last February.
Gallery
Photos by Noah Pineda. Select any photo to see it larger.
Sponsors
The Winter Classic puts your brand in front of high-income, fitness-oriented MBA students from 20+ top programs. They're on site for two full days and paying attention, not scrolling past an ad.
MBA students on site across the weekend
Top programs from across the US and beyond
Of face time at the fields, at check-in and on social
Partnership tiers
Every tier can be tailored. Tell us what you want to achieve and we'll build the package around it.
"The Winter Classic, presented by your brand."
Pricing in sponsor deck
Your name on a field for the whole weekend.
Pricing in sponsor deck
Steady visibility across both days.
Pricing in sponsor deck
For food, drink, recovery and gear brands.
Product or services
Full packages, pricing and audience details. The 2027 deck will be posted here.
Sponsor inquiry
Tell us a little about your brand and which tier interests you. We'll follow up with the deck and next steps.
Contact
Reach the organizing team directly, or use the form and we'll get back to you.
