Friday Night Lights: Your Permian Basin Football Guide
Welcome to West Texas, where Friday night plans often involve stadium lights, school colors and a whole lot of football.
If you're new to Midland or Odessa, there's one thing you should know about fall in West Texas:
High school football is a BIG deal.
Friday nights bring packed stadiums, marching bands, cheerleaders, tailgates and generations of families supporting their hometown teams.
Whether you're a longtime local, recently relocated to the Permian Basin or just looking for something fun to do this fall, here's your quick guide to Friday Night Lights in Midland and Odessa.
🏈Midland Lee Rebels
📍Home Field: Astound Broadband Stadium
🎨Colors: Maroon & White
Midland Lee has one of the area's most recognizable football traditions and enters the 2026 season looking to compete for another District 2-6A title.
One of the biggest games on this year's calendar comes on October 9, when Lee hosts Odessa Permian.
But the game every Midland football fan circles?
Midland Lee vs. Midland High
Friday, November 6 | Astound Broadband Stadium
It's Midland vs. Midland and one of the best nights of the year to experience local high school football.
LOCAL TIP: Get there early for rivalry games. Traffic, parking and stadium lines can get busy quickly.
🏈Midland High Bulldogs
📍Home Field: Astound Broadband Stadium
🎨Colors: Maroon & White
The Bulldogs share Astound Broadband Stadium with Midland Lee and bring plenty of their own tradition to Friday nights.
Midland High enters 2026 with a new spread offense and several interesting matchups on the schedule.
Home Games to Watch
September 11: Amarillo High
October 2: Red Bluff, California
October 23: Odessa Permian
November 6: Midland Lee
If you're new to Midland and only attend one game this season, the November 6 rivalry matchup is a great introduction to just how seriously West Texas takes football.
🏈Odessa Permian Panthers
📍Home Field: Ratliff Stadium
🎨Colors: Black & White
You can't talk about West Texas football without talking about MOJO.
Odessa Permian is arguably the most famous high school football program in the Permian Basin, with a history that became known far beyond West Texas through Friday Night Lights.
Even if you don't have a student at Permian, experiencing a Friday night at Ratliff Stadium is something every West Texan should do at least once.
THE EXPERIENCE: Black and white everywhere, a packed stadium, the band playing and generations of Odessa families cheering for the Panthers.
LUXE LOCAL TIP: If you've recently moved to the area, add a Permian home game to your West Texas bucket list.
🏈Odessa High Bronchos
📍Home Field: Ratliff Stadium
🎨Colors: Red & White
Across town, the Odessa High Bronchos bring another long-standing football tradition to Ratliff Stadium.
And just like Midland has its crosstown rivalry, Odessa has one of its own.
Odessa High vs. Permian
This is the matchup where Odessa picks a side.
Even if you aren't an alumnus of either school, the atmosphere surrounding this game makes it a fun way to experience the community.
🏈Greenwood Rangers
📍Home Field: J.M. King Memorial Stadium
🎨Colors: Green & White
Just outside Midland, Greenwood has developed a strong football culture of its own.
The Rangers are coming off an impressive 13-1 season and state quarterfinal appearance, giving Greenwood fans plenty to be excited about heading into 2026.
Greenwood Games to Watch
September 18: Wichita Falls Legacy — Homecoming
October 2: Glen Rose
October 9: San Angelo Central
October 23: Andrews
November 6: San Angelo Lake View
If you prefer the atmosphere of a smaller community football game, Greenwood is a great Friday-night option.
🏟️Know Your Stadiums
Astound Broadband Stadium | Midland
Home to Midland High and Midland Lee, Astound Broadband Stadium is the center of Friday night football in Midland.
Good to know: Stadium sales, including concessions, are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment method.
Ratliff Stadium | Odessa
Home to Permian and Odessa High, Ratliff Stadium is one of the most recognizable high school football venues in Texas.
For anyone interested in the history and culture surrounding West Texas football, this is the stadium to experience.
J.M. King Memorial Stadium | Greenwood
Home of the Greenwood Rangers, this stadium offers the classic smaller-community Friday night football atmosphere.
📅Games I'd Circle on the 2026 Calendar
⭐September 18 — Greenwood Homecoming vs. Wichita Falls Legacy
🏈October 9 — Permian at Midland Lee
🏈October 23 — Permian at Midland High
💜November 6 — Midland Lee vs. Midland High
These are the kinds of games where you'll get the full Friday Night Lights experience.
Make a Night of It
Football doesn't have to be the entire evening.
Turn Friday night into a local night out:
BEFORE THE GAME
Grab an early dinner at one of your favorite local restaurants and head to the stadium before kickoff.
AT THE GAME
Wear the home team's colors, grab something from concessions, and enjoy the bands, cheerleaders, and Friday-night atmosphere.
AFTER THE GAME
Stop for dessert, coffee, or a late-night bite and debate the best plays of the night.
The Luxe Local Take
One of my favorite things about living in West Texas is that our communities still have traditions that bring everyone together.
Friday Night Lights isn't only about football.
It's seeing your neighbors in the stands, watching kids grow up playing for the same schools their parents attended, supporting local students, and experiencing a tradition that's uniquely Texas.
And if you're relocating to Midland or Odessa, attending a high school football game is one of the quickest ways to get a feel for the personality of the community.
So, this fall, pick a team, grab your school colors, and experience a Friday night under the lights.
Welcome to football season in West Texas. 🏈
Imelda Falcon
The Luxe Group | Keller Williams Realty