With 14 varsity teams competing in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I, Rice offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy high-level sports right on campus. From the field to the water, and from team-based games to individual competitions, there’s something for everyone. The best part? Rice students get FREE entry to all on-campus games! On top of that, frequent giveaways—like T-shirts, food, and other goodies—make the experience even more rewarding. Having attended more than 50 games since I arrived at Rice in 2022, I’m excited to share my experiences and invite everyone to attend Rice games!
Where to Watch?
Rice hosts NCAA games across several venues:
- Rice Stadium (Football)
- Tudor Fieldhouse (Basketball and Volleyball)
- Holloway Field (Soccer)
- Reckling Park (Baseball)
On campus, you can also watch tennis matches at the George R. Brown Tennis Center and swimming events at the Aquatics Center Natatorium. However, since I haven’t attended tennis or swimming games yet, I’ll focus on the sports I know best.
1. Rice Stadium
- Sport: Men’s Football
- Season: Fall Semester, Saturdays (afternoon or evening)
Home to the Rice Owls football team, Rice Stadium is steeped in history. It hosted President John F. Kennedy’s iconic “We Choose to Go to the Moon” speech in 1962 and Super Bowl VIII in 1974.
While Rice football has faced challenges over the years, recent seasons have delivered thrilling moments. In 2023, we triumphed over the University of Houston Cougars in a double-overtime game and claimed the Houston College Classic title. This November, we defended our home turf with a victory over the Navy Midshipmen, who had been ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25 Poll just two weeks prior to the game.
Pro tip: Football games are easy to follow, even for first-timers. Be sure to attend the tailgate before the game and stick around for the halftime show to fully enjoy the experience!
2. Tudor Fieldhouse
- Sports: Men’s and Women’s Basketball; Women’s Volleyball
- Season: August to February
Tudor Fieldhouse offers an indoor, air-conditioned environment for games—a big plus in Houston weather!
Women’s Volleyball:
The season runs from the start of the Fall semester through mid-November, with around 12 home games per year. The Rice Owls volleyball team has been consistently solid over the past decade, boasting an undefeated home record this season and a real-time national ranking of 33.
Basketball:
The men’s and women’s basketball seasons start in late October and end before March Madness.
- The women’s basketball team has made four NCAA tournament appearances in the 21st century and secured several conference regular season and tournament championships. In 2023, we won the American Athletic Conference tournament as a 10th seed!
- While the men’s basketball team hasn’t reached March Madness since 1970, new head coach Rob Lanier brings fresh optimism. Could this be the season that ends the drought?
3. Holloway Field
- Sport: Women’s Soccer
- Season: Fall Semester
The women’s soccer season aligns with women’s volleyball, running from August through late October. The Rice Owls soccer team has been a strong competitor in the past few years, advancing to the third round of the NCAA tournament in 2021!
4. Reckling Park
- Sport: Men’s Baseball
- Season: Spring Semester
Rice Owls baseball holds a special place in our history as the university’s first team to win a national championship, achieving this milestone in 2003. The team enjoyed an impressive streak of NCAA tournament appearances from 1995 to 2017.
If you’re new to baseball, the game can seem complex and even slow. However, I’ve found that the live atmosphere at Reckling Park transforms the experience. Just after watching a few games, I’ve gone from knowing nothing about baseball to becoming a passionate fan—give it a try, and you might, too!
Conclusion:
I hope this guide inspires you to attend Rice’s NCAA games and support the Owls. In 2026, Rice Athletics will introduce a women’s golf team, adding another exciting sport to our campus. Let’s cheer loud and be proud—Rice Fight Never Dies!
About the author:
Bohan Zhang is from Beijing, China and is a current Ph.D. Candidate in History. He got his B.A. from Tsinghua University in 2020. Read more.
Further Reading:
The Hidden Treasures at Rice that a New Graduate Student Should Know
Resources of Travel Grant to Support Your Academia Conference
Exploring Home and Identity Through Do Ho Suh’s Art at the Moody