Popcorn Machine Catches Fire During Oklahoma-Georgia Game

The Southeastern Conference matchup was briefly delayed as the fire was extinguished.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A popcorn machine caught fire during the first half of the Oklahoma Sooners' men's basketball game against the Georgia Bulldogs on February 14, 2026, causing a brief delay as the fire was extinguished and the arena was evacuated. The game ultimately resumed, with Oklahoma going on to win 94-78.

Why it matters

Popcorn machine fires at sporting events are relatively rare, but can pose a serious safety risk to fans and players if not quickly contained. This incident highlights the importance of proper equipment maintenance and fire safety protocols at large venues to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

The details

The fire occurred early in the first half with Georgia leading 11-7. Fans were evacuated from the area around the concession stand where the popcorn machine was located, and the sprinkler system eventually put out the flames. Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser said it was "a huge flame" and something he had never seen before.

  • The fire broke out with 15:31 remaining in the first half.

The players

Porter Moser

The head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team.

Tae Davis

The leading scorer for Oklahoma in the game with 19 points.

Nijel Pack

An Oklahoma player who scored 18 points in the game.

Blue Cain

The leading scorer for Georgia with 20 points.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just glad the sprinkler system worked just for the safety of everybody but also that we were able to resume play.”

— Porter Moser, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners (KOCO News 5)

“A popcorn machine, it looks like. Everybody's starting to clear out. You can see the sprinkler overhead system is working right now.”

— Kevin Fitzgerald, Play-by-Play Announcer (Awful Announcing)

“Talk about burnt popcorn.”

— Kevin Fitzgerald, Play-by-Play Announcer (Awful Announcing)

What’s next

Oklahoma will travel to face Tennessee next on Wednesday, while Georgia faces No. 25 Kentucky in Lexington on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper fire safety protocols and equipment maintenance at large sporting venues to ensure the safety of fans and players. While popcorn machine fires are uncommon, they can pose a serious risk if not quickly contained.