Our beautiful city is full of team spirit, unique traditions, and more.
So, you wanna become a Houston sports fan? It’s a journey filled with plenty of heartbreak and unmatched joy, particularly if you get to see your team win a World Series or an NBA Championship. Houstonians have learned to find moments of happiness in fun, unique traditions, because there’s only so much letdown we can take. Next time you’re at a game, follow these pro tips and blend in like you’re a lifelong fan.
Houston Texans
Check out the tailgates.
In Houston, Sundays have become an all-day Texans event during home games, with tailgates that are second to none (sorry, Green Bay and Buffalo!). Check out the Lone Spot Tailgaters in the Platinum parking lot, run by die-hard Texans fan and writer Stephanie Stradley. Each week, the tailgaters offer amazing food and a new theme based on the opponent. These tailgates are so fun that fans are usually late getting to their seats, so arrive a couple hours early. And you’ll want to make your way into NRG Stadium about 40 minutes before kickoff so you can be in your seat when the Texans take the field.
Don’t wear Oilers gear.
Long story short, the Oilers will always be part of Houston’s history, but they aren’t the Texans, and the Texans aren’t the Oilers. The iconic Oilers blue, unfortunately, now belongs to the Tennessee Titans, a division rival. While we’re not above celebrating the memories, the candy-paint Battle Red honestly looks better, so leave those Oilers jerseys at home.
One of the best things the Texans have done recently is embrace H-Town culture. Aside from those Battle Red helmets, the team also introduced the Texans Mariachi in 2023, further capturing the essence of what makes Houston, Houston. Expect lively performances by the mariachi band, featuring violins, trumpets, guitars, and powerful vocals. The band performs before and during the game, so don’t leave your seat for too long.
Avoid the official parking lots.
There is ample parking on-site in designated lots at NRG, but trust us: Don’t park in the lots, because you could be stuck trying to get out for at least an hour. You can find plenty of parking options up and down Main Street, or do one better: Park elsewhere and take the Metrorail to the stadium. We love public transit!
Houston Rockets
Take a picture with Hakeem’s jersey.
Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest NBA center of all time, and you can’t convince us otherwise. Nicknamed “The Dream,” he led the Rockets to two titles in the ’90s and put up some impressive defensive numbers that remain unmatched by centers. The talented big man’s #34 jersey is retired and on display in front of Toyota Center as a statue. Pay your respects to The Dream and take a picture with the jersey before entering.
Walk in with the Red Rowdies.
Back in 2006, then–head coach Jeff Van Gundy knew the Rockets didn’t have a great home-court advantage, so he assembled a group of dedicated fans who created one through cheers, noise, and general rowdiness. Thus, the Red Rowdies were born. These fans are at every game and set the tone for the rest of the fans, starting with their iconic “Red Rowdy Romp” through Toyota Center. Meet in section 114 about 30 minutes before tip-off, and jump in with them to hype up your fellow fans.
Shoot around before or during the game.
Toyota Center celebrates the beauty of basketball in a way that no other NBA arena does. You can get in some shots before the game at the Root Memorial Square basketball court outside, or show off your version of the “Dream Shake” (Olajuwon’s signature move) at the Sky Court located in the stadium building’s upper concourse.
Grab an egg roll at Houston’s oldest Chinese restaurants.
China Garden has been serving homestyle Chinese food to Houstonians since 1969. While things were rough for the institution during the pandemic, it’s now back to being a pregame hub for fans and Houston celebrities alike, and they still have the best egg rolls in the city.
Houston Astros
Enjoy dollar hot dog night.
Tuesday dollar hot dog night has become one of the marquee events in Houston for baseball fans. Watch our home team and indulge in the perfect all-American complement, a hot dog for just $1. Some fans take on the 9-9-9 challenge, attempting to down nine hot dogs and nine beers in nine innings. Good luck.
Clap along to “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”
The Houston Astros are Texas’s team, so it’s only right that they play “Deep in the Heart of Texas” during the seventh-inning stretch. Other teams—cough, cough, the Rangers—also play it, but let’s be honest, this is an Astros tradition. So, stand up and clap-clap-clap-clap along to the most famous stadium song in Houston.
Do the wave.
OK, this fan tradition has caused a major divide among baseball fans. It’s a silly custom where fans stand and raise their hands, section by section, creating a “wave” that goes around the entire stadium. We’re big fans of the wave because it unites us all and literally takes your attention away from the game for two seconds. So, when you’re at Minute Maid Park—err, Daikin Park—this season, get up and join us.
Houston Dynamo
Join El Batallón for their pregame march.
When you attend a Dynamo match at Shell Energy Stadium, you’ll hear nonstop drumming and horns for 90 minutes. It’s the soundtrack provided by various fan groups whose sole responsibility is to set the atmosphere and home-pitch advantage for the Dynamo. One of those groups is El Batallón, whose pregame march is a showstopper. They meet two hours before every game, so new fans can hang out and learn some of the chants before embarking to the stadium in a march that’s reminiscent of Mardi Gras.
Try to score a goal against a Dynamo legend at Pitch 25.
After retiring from professional soccer and the US Men’s National Team, Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching created the ultimate hangout for soccer fans in Houston with his East Downtown bar and restaurant, Pitch 25. It’s the only bar in EaDo to feature an indoor soccer field where you can kick a ball around pregame and, if you’re lucky, try to score against Ching himself.
Pro tip: Pitch 25 is going to be the place to hang out at before and after World Cup matches this summer.
Houston Dash
Cheer and dance with the Dash Drummers.
Soccer matches can be long for the players. So, just like the Dynamo, the Dash—Houston’s newest major league team that played its first season in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2014—relies heavily on fans to bring the energy to the same stadium. The Dash Drummers, a crew started by a trio of longtime teachers, do just that with nonstop drumming, singing, chanting, and cheering. Their energetic presence will move you, so be ready to cheer and dance along with this diverse group of musicians.
Take pictures with players after the match.
This tip is one that your kids (or yourself!) will love. After matches, players from both teams often hang around and take pictures with fans on the side of the pitch, helping inspire the next generation of soccer players.
College sports
“Tops Drop” with UH Basketball.
Kelvin Sampson, the head coach of the University of Houston basketball team, has created a culture of winning and of representing the city at Fertitta Center. That’s why before every home game, you must turn your phone flashlight on and wave it along to Houston rapper Fat Pat’s iconic banger, “Tops Drop,” alongside the rest of the UH faithful. Take it from a lifelong Houstonian, this song and dance set the mood for a Cougars win. Bonus points from me if you sing along and hit the “I just wanna drop it all night long” high notes.
The Labor Day Classic.
College sports are all about tradition, and every Labor Day weekend, the Southwestern Athletic Conference season kicks off with a highly attended game between the Texas Southern University Tigers and the Prairie View A&M Panthers, which also happens to feature performances by some of the best bands in the country. So, start the college football season with a bang by supporting two of the largest historically Black universities in Texas, even if that means you’ll have to drive to Prairie View every other year.
Get MOB-ed at Rice.
Rice Football hasn’t had a winning season since 2014 (sorry, Owls). But, going to the games is still a must so you can revel in the tunes of the Rice Marching Owl Band, a.k.a the MOB. Their satirical, entertaining performance style, combined with their top-tier musical prowess, makes the MOB a must-see attraction. The best part? They invite non-musicians to join and even allow kazoos in the show.