Organizers of the State Fair of Texas said they no longer plan to give out free tickets to high school students, citing multiple reasons for the decision.
The longstanding tradition of offering complimentary admission to students is changing this year, with high school students no longer receiving free tickets, in part, over concerns of safety. Only Pre-K through 8th graders are eligible for tickets on the house, with organizers saying the decision has been in the works for several years.
“We know some families may be disappointed, but this decision helps us continue providing a safe, family-friendly, and sustainable Fair experience while still investing in youth,” organizers said in a statement to WFAA.
The Dallas Express previously reported that the Fair is implementing broad new changes to enhance security at the popular annual event. The measures include new clear bag rules, advanced weapon scanners, and stricter policies around youth supervision.
The organizers say the changes to the complimentary ticket offering also stem from their rising costs and low redemption rates. Each year, the fair prints over two million free tickets, with only around 10% actually used. Moreover, fair officials say many schools have stopped scheduling “Fair Days,” making it increasingly difficult to plan trips and manage attendance.
In recent years, the Fair has seen a spike in incidents involving high school students. Since the new city contracts mean the Fair has to cover all the Dallas Police Department’s expenses and security costs, managing attendees has become essential, as this can cost the Fair more than $8 million for the duration of the 24-day event.
While free tickets are no longer available, high school students can purchase discounted admission for $12 from Monday through Thursday by using promo code 2025EDU on the Fair’s website.
The State Fair of Texas in 2025 will take place from Friday, September 26, to Sunday, October 19, at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas.