Formed in 1994 with the Big Eight Conference merged with the Southwest Conference, the Big 12 Conference joined a dozen schools in the central U.S. in athletic competition. The first Big 12 games took place starting August, 1996.

The "Dirty Dozen" as they're also known, include schools in 7 states: Colorado Buffaloes, Iowa, Kansas Jayhawks, Missouri Tigers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oklahoma Sooners, and Texas Longhorns. The conference holds its headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

Though their standings are combined, the Big 12 conference was divided into 2 divisions:

Big 12 North

• Colorado Buffaloes
• Iowa State Cyclones
• Kansas Jayhawks
• Kansas State Wildcats
• Missouri Tigers
• Nebraska Cornhuskers

Big 12 South

• Baylor Bears
• Oklahoma Sooners
• Oklahoma State Cowboys
• Texas Longhorns
• Texas A&M Aggies
• Texas Tech Red Raiders

Football

Many national powerhouses reside in the Big 12, but none more than the Oklahoma Sooners who have won six Big 12 Championships since the conference was established in 1994. Oklahoma has won four out of the last five Big 12 championships, giving the Big 12 South division a 9-4 record against the Big 12 North division. Nebraska and Texas have both won two championships each, while Colorado, Kansas State and Texas A&M have won one each.

Since the 1996 season, most Big 12 Championship games have been held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, but in 2009 and 2010, the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas will host the game. Be sure to get your tickets and catch all of the Big 12 action this year. Will Oklahoma win yet another Big 12 Championship? Find out in person.

Basketball

In January, 2007, the Big 12 Conference signed a deal with the Pacific 10 Conference (aka "the Pac-10) to organize a "Big 12: Pac 10 Challenge" much akin to the Atlantic Coast - Pac 10 Challenge. As of this NCAA Basketball season, each school in the Big 12 will compete against a team in the Pac-10. You'll be able to find all the Big 12-Pac 10 Challenge tickets you need from this site right here.

The Big 12 remains a competitive conference year after year, although Kansas has had the most success since the establishment of the Big 12 tournament. The Jayhawks have the most Big 12 championships with 6, including 3 straight from 2006 and 2008. Oklahoma comes second with 3 championships, while Oklahoma State has won twice, and both Iowa State and most recently Missouri have won 1 each. Big 12 Conference Championship tickets are among the quickest to sell out, so get yours as soon as you can.