Utah-based Breeze Airways is capitalizing on championship fever by adding special weekend flights between Provo and Dallas-Fort Worth, providing BYU fans with additional travel options as the Cougars prepare for their first-ever Big 12 title game appearance.
Special Game Weekend Service
The airline announced Monday it will operate extra nonstop flights between Provo Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport specifically for the championship weekend, recognizing the surge in demand from supporters planning to attend Saturday’s high-stakes matchup.
The enhanced service includes an additional Friday departure from Provo to Dallas, allowing fans to arrive the day before No. 11 BYU faces No. 5 Texas Tech at AT&T Stadium. A corresponding Sunday return flight from Dallas to Provo accommodates travelers heading home after the game.
Breeze already maintains regular nonstop service on this route alongside American Airlines, but the temporary capacity increase acknowledges the exceptional circumstances surrounding BYU’s historic achievement.
Championship Game Significance
The Big 12 Championship Game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. The matchup features a rematch between the conference’s top two teams, both entering with identical 11-1 overall records and 8-1 conference marks.
For BYU, this represents the program’s first conference championship game appearance since leaving the Mountain West Conference in 2011 to become an independent. The Cougars joined the Big 12 only three years ago, making their rapid ascent to title contention particularly noteworthy.
BYU is seeking their first Big 12 championship and first conference championship since 2007 when the Cougars won the Mountain West title. Head coach Kalani Sitake, in his tenth season, has guided the program through its conference transition while maintaining competitive excellence.
Alternative Travel Options
While Breeze’s additional flights provide convenient direct service from Provo, BYU fans have multiple transportation options for reaching the Dallas area. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines collectively operate approximately ten daily flights between Salt Lake City International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth, representing one of the most frequently serviced routes from Utah’s capital.
The abundance of flights from Salt Lake City provides backup options for fans unable to secure seats on Provo departures or those preferring the larger airport’s amenities and flexibility.
The Texas Tech Rematch
Saturday’s championship carries particular significance as a rematch of BYU’s only loss this season. Texas Tech defeated BYU in Lubbock, Texas, on November 8, with a score of 29-7, a performance that caused the Cougars to slide in College Football Playoff rankings.
When these two teams played in Lubbock, Texas Tech’s defense dominated the matchup, with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez recording a key interception and forced fumble as BYU’s offense was held off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. The Cougars will seek to reverse that outcome on neutral ground in Arlington.
Texas Tech has enjoyed a dominant season, winning all ten games by double-digit margins and capturing their first ten-win campaign since 2008. For Texas Tech, you have to go back further: the Red Raiders have never won a Big 12 title, and they have been a member of the league since its establishment in 1996.
Playoff Implications
The championship game carries enormous stakes beyond conference bragging rights. The winner secures an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff, guaranteeing a spot in the expanded tournament field. The losing team could potentially earn an at-large invitation, though that outcome depends on committee evaluations and results from other conferences.
College Football Playoff selection committee members will release their final bracket on Sunday, meaning BYU fans may indeed have reason to celebrate on their return flights regardless of Saturday’s outcome, though an automatic bid provides far greater certainty than hoping for at-large consideration.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has become an unlikely participant in playoff discussions, publicly advocating for BYU’s resume on social media. His engagement reflects the statewide interest in the Cougars’ success and their potential inclusion in the sport’s premier postseason event.
Historical Context for Both Programs
The championship matchup features two programs seeking to end lengthy title droughts. BYU’s last conference championship was in 2007, when it was a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Cougars spent over a decade as an independent before joining the Big 12, making this conference title opportunity particularly meaningful.
Texas Tech’s championship drought extends even further into history. The Red Raiders’ last conference championship was in 1994, as a member of the Southwest Conference, and that title was a co-championship. Texas Tech’s last outright conference championship was in 1955 as a member of the Border Conference.
Both programs entered the Big 12 in different eras and under vastly different circumstances, yet they now compete for the same prize with matching records and championship aspirations.
Economic Impact on Regional Aviation
Breeze Airways’ decision to add capacity reflects broader trends in regional aviation responding to sporting events. Low-cost carriers increasingly view championship games and major tournaments as opportunities to serve underutilized markets temporarily experiencing elevated demand.
Breeze Airways, founded by airline industry entrepreneur David Neeleman, specializes in connecting underserved cities with nonstop flights that larger carriers overlook. The carrier’s Provo hub represents a strategic asset for serving BYU’s substantial fan base.
The temporary route expansion demonstrates how regional airlines can remain agile, adjusting capacity to match demand spikes that traditional hub-and-spoke carriers might not efficiently accommodate. This flexibility benefits consumers through increased options and potentially lower fares due to competitive pressure.
Fan Experience Considerations
Attending a championship game in person creates lasting memories that television broadcasts cannot replicate. For BYU supporters, this opportunity feels particularly special given the program’s relative newcomer status in the Big 12 and the uncertainty about when such opportunities might recur.
AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, provides a spectacular venue for championship football. The facility’s capacity exceeds 80,000 for football configurations, with retractable roof panels and massive video displays creating an immersive atmosphere.
Arlington’s location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offers numerous hospitality and entertainment options for fans arriving Friday and departing Sunday. The stadium sits near major highways and entertainment districts, facilitating pre-game and post-game activities.
Looking Ahead to Selection Sunday
Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, December 8 represents a crucial date when the playoff selection committee unveils its final bracket. The Red Raiders are locks for the field and could push for a bye, but BYU sits on the outside looking in heading into the battle and could need the Big 12’s auto-bid just to reach the postseason.
This dynamic adds urgency to Saturday’s matchup for BYU. While Texas Tech appears secure in the playoff field regardless of the championship result, the Cougars likely need a victory to guarantee their place in college football’s premier postseason event.
The Big 12 Conference championship game thus becomes more than a conference title game. It represents BYU’s pathway to playoff participation and Texas Tech’s opportunity to secure more favorable seeding through an additional quality victory.
The Broader Transportation Picture
The additional Breeze flights complement an already robust transportation infrastructure serving the Dallas-Fort Worth region from Utah. The concentration of service reflects both the markets’ economic connections and the frequency of travel between these regions for business, leisure, and family reasons.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport ranks among America’s busiest aviation facilities, handling over 200,000 passengers daily during peak periods. Its nine terminals and numerous gates accommodate the dozens of daily departures connecting North Texas with destinations nationwide and internationally.
For BYU fans, the abundance of flights means flexibility in planning travel around work schedules, family commitments, and personal preferences. Some may opt for Friday arrivals to enjoy pre-game festivities, while others might choose Saturday morning departures to minimize time away from home.
Championship Weekend Atmosphere
Arlington typically embraces Big 12 Championship weekend with enthusiasm, recognizing the economic benefits major sporting events bring to local hospitality and retail sectors. Hotels near the stadium often sell out weeks in advance, while restaurants and entertainment venues prepare for elevated weekend traffic.
The neutral-site format theoretically provides neither team with home-field advantage, though Texas Tech’s geographic proximity to Arlington relative to Provo might result in more Red Raiders fans attending. However, BYU’s large and passionate supporter base often travels well, potentially creating a more balanced crowd than location alone might suggest.
The championship weekend represents the culmination of four months of competition, strategic planning, and athletic achievement. For players, coaches, and fans from both programs, Saturday’s game offers an opportunity to claim conference supremacy and advance toward national championship aspirations.
As Breeze Airways prepares its additional flights and fans finalize their travel arrangements, the anticipation continues building for a championship matchup that promises competitive excellence and high stakes for both historic programs.
