Popcorn Machine Bursts into Flames During College Basketball Game

The incident caused a brief delay in the Oklahoma-Georgia matchup at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 4:15pm

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A popcorn machine at a concession stand burst into flames during a media timeout just minutes into the Oklahoma-Georgia basketball game on February 14, 2026. The fire caused a brief delay of around five minutes before play resumed, with Oklahoma going on to defeat Georgia 94-76.

Why it matters

The popcorn machine fire raised concerns about safety and preparedness at the 50-year-old Lloyd Noble Center, home of the Oklahoma Sooners basketball team. The incident also generated significant social media attention and commentary on the unusual nature of a snack machine disrupting a major college basketball game.

The details

The fire broke out at a concession stand during a media timeout early in the first half, with Georgia leading Oklahoma 11-7 at the time. Thick black smoke filled the arena section near the concession stand, prompting security to clear nearby sections as the sprinkler system extinguished the flames. The Norman Fire Department responded as a precaution, but the fire was contained to the popcorn machine and did not spread further.

  • The fire occurred during a media timeout just a few minutes into the Oklahoma-Georgia game on February 14, 2026.
  • Play was paused for approximately 5 minutes before resuming.

The players

Lloyd Noble Center

The 50-year-old home arena of the Oklahoma Sooners basketball teams, located on the University of Oklahoma campus.

Oklahoma Sooners

The men's basketball team of the University of Oklahoma, who defeated Georgia 94-76 in the game where the popcorn machine fire occurred.

Georgia

The visiting men's basketball team that was playing Oklahoma when the popcorn machine fire broke out.

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What’s next

Oklahoma will next take on the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, February 18.

The takeaway

The popcorn machine fire at the Oklahoma-Georgia game highlighted the need for improved safety protocols and equipment maintenance at older sports arenas like the Lloyd Noble Center. While the incident was contained, it raised concerns about potential risks to fans and the ability of venues to respond quickly to unexpected emergencies.