STWF Sports | ARLINGTON, Texas | July 20, 2026 — One of college football’s longest-running postseason showcases is entering a new chapter.
Shriners Children’s announced Monday that the East-West Shrine Bowl has officially been renamed the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl, strengthening the connection between the historic all-star game and the pediatric healthcare organization that owns, operates and benefits from the event.
The 102nd edition of the game is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2027, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Established more than a century ago, the event is the nation’s oldest college football all-star game. Each year, it provides NFL Draft prospects with an opportunity to compete in front of scouts, executives and personnel representatives from all 32 NFL teams.
Highlights of the East-West Shrine Bow
The showcase has also become an important step in the evaluation process for players attempting to improve their professional opportunities. The 2026 game featured 54 athletes who were later selected in the NFL Draft, reinforcing the event’s standing as a significant platform for emerging talent.
While the name and visual presentation are changing, the game’s central purpose remains the same. The event will continue supporting Shriners Children’s and its mission to provide specialized pediatric care, regardless of a family’s financial situation or insurance coverage.
Dustin Johnson, executive director of sports for Shriners Children’s, said the updated identity more clearly represents the values that have defined the game throughout its history.
“This rebrand reflects exactly what the game has always stood for — hope, healing, and the life-changing impact Shriners Children’s has on families,” Johnson said. “The Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl will continue to showcase elite college athletes along their path to the NFL, but more importantly, it will continue to spotlight the children who inspire us every day.”
The new branding also preserves one of the event’s most recognizable symbols.
Its logo continues to feature the silhouette of former Boston College standout Mike Esposito holding hands with Nicole, a Shriners Children’s patient, during a 1974 hospital visit. The image has served as a lasting representation of the relationship between participating athletes and the children supported through the event.
The 2027 game will again be staged at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, continuing the partnership between Shriners Children’s and the NFL franchise.
Bob Roller, vice president of sports for Shriners Children’s, thanked the Cowboys for their involvement and expressed enthusiasm about returning to Arlington.
“We would like to thank the Dallas Cowboys for their continued partnership and dedication to our cause,” Roller said. “We’re looking forward to the 102nd Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl on February 4, 2027 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.”
In addition to the rebrand, Shriners Children’s released its annual list of 1,000 draft-eligible prospects. The collection provides an early look at players being evaluated for the 2027 game and NFL Draft cycle.
The organization’s scouting department studies prospects from every level of college football, working with NFL and collegiate personnel to identify approximately 1,000 players with potential professional opportunities. That group traditionally includes athletes who may be drafted, signed as undrafted free agents or invited to rookie minicamps.
Players selected for the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl receive access to a professional-style environment. Participants are coached by NFL staff members, train at NFL facilities and follow schedules designed to prepare them for the expectations of the next level.
For prospects, the week offers more than a final college game. Practices, meetings and interviews provide teams with opportunities to evaluate players beyond the film room, including their preparation, communication and ability to absorb professional coaching.
The newly renamed Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl will continue balancing those football opportunities with its charitable mission when the event returns to AT&T Stadium in February.
