Southwest Airlines Announces Sponsorship Agreement With SEC

Southwest Airlines Co. announced a new, multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and SEC Network, becoming the “Official Airline of the SEC,” according to a press release from Southwest Airlines.

The agreement, which officially launched on July 1, will primarily highlight contributions to SEC football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, and women's soccer, the press release stated.

To celebrate the sponsorship launch, Southwest is hosting the Flex Your Fandom Sweepstakes, offering entrants a chance to win an ultimate getaway experience to the SEC Football Championship, as noted in the press release. Later this year, additional sweepstakes will award prizes, including packages to the SEC Basketball Championship tournament and a summer getaway, the press release detailed.

For more details and to enter, visit southwestsecsweepstakes.com.

Southwest has also added new routes and additional service for several key SEC-centric matchups, including USC vs. LSU in the Vegas Kickoff Classic, Alabama at Wisconsin in Week 3, Tennessee at Oklahoma in Week 4, and Georgia at Texas in Week 8, the press release highlighted.

The sponsorship includes integrating Southwest Airlines into SEC Network programming and within the SEC footprint through SEC Nation, the network’s traveling football pre-game show, the press release said. Southwest will also be present at SEC FanFare at the football championship in Atlanta and other major SEC championship events, including women’s and men’s basketball, according to the press release.

As part of the partnership, SEC fans will be able to watch select matchups throughout the year via the Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal, which offers free Live TV channels, including ESPN and ABC, the press release indicated. Additionally, Southwest plans to surprise customers with pop-up activations on flights, providing giveaways and fun moments for fans, the press release mentioned.

What Does This Mean For OU Fans?

The airline has added new routes and additional services for key SEC matchups, including Oklahoma games. This enhanced connectivity makes it easier and more convenient for OU fans to travel to away games and support their team.

In addition to a chance to win the sweepstakes, the presence of Southwest Airlines as the "Official Airline of the SEC", fans can get free checked bags and no change fees, the press release noted.