Introduction
Welcome back to Houston Sports 101! If you are new to Rice or Houston, you will quickly notice that football is not just a sport here, it is part of the city’s heartbeat. While Rice has its own proud football tradition, the Houston Texans are the team that represents the city on the NFL stage.
Weirdly enough, I have been a Texans fan since I was a kid, which is not a common thing in Mexico if you were wondering. I have had strong ties to Houston for a long time. As a kid, I came here to visit NASA and loved every moment. My father was an Oilers fan, and I have loved football since I was little. My very first Texans game in person was unforgettable: in 2023 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa scored a last-minute touchdown to go up 37-33 with under a minute left. Then rookie quarterback C. J. Stroud pulled off a legendary comeback, driving the field in under 40 seconds and scoring the winning touchdown. He broke the NFL rookie record for most passing yards in a game that night. Since then, I have had season tickets and support the Texans at every home game.
Houston Texans: A Quick Primer
The Texans are one of the youngest franchises in the NFL, founded in 2002 after the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee. They play at NRG Stadium, located just a short drive from Rice’s campus. The stadium is massive, seating over 70,000 fans, and is known for its retractable roof, perfect for Houston’s unpredictable weather. The Texans are part of the AFC South division, where they battle rivals like the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
With C. J. Stroud and other young stars leading the team, excitement for the Texans is higher than ever. Sundays at NRG are all about football, but also about food, fun, and celebrating Houston pride.
The Game-Day Experience
A Texans game is an all-day event. Fans arrive hours before kickoff to tailgate, grilling barbecue, playing music, and getting hyped for the game. Once inside NRG Stadium, you will see a sea of Deep Steel Blue jerseys, the team’s signature color. The Texans’ cheerleaders and mascot Toro bring energy to the crowd, and the roar when the team runs out of the tunnel is unlike anything else.
The game itself is an experience you have to live at least once in Houston. The crowd is deafening when the Texans are on defense, making it tough for opponents to communicate. On offense, the stadium has its own unique rhythm, with chants on every first down that bring thousands of voices together. The energy never fades, and the sense of unity makes you feel like you are part of something much bigger. It is the kind of atmosphere that stays with you long after the final whistle.
Why Rice Students Should Go
Going to a Texans game is a great way to experience Houston beyond Rice. Whether you are already a football fan or just curious, the energy at NRG is contagious. You will get to be part of Houston’s NFL culture, enjoy some of the city’s best food, and watch one of the league’s rising stars in C. J. Stroud.
2025 Texans Home Games
Here are the Texans’ home games for the 2025 regular season (NRG Stadium, Houston):
Sep 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 28 vs. Tennessee Titans
Oct 26 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Nov 2 vs. Denver Broncos
Nov 9 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nov 20 vs. Buffalo Bills
Dec 14 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Dec 21 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 18 vs. Indianapolis Colts (date TBD)
Conclusion
The Texans may be one of the NFL’s younger franchises, but they have quickly become central to Houston’s identity. Attending a game is about more than football, it is about being part of a city that lives and breathes the sport. So put on some Deep Steel Blue, grab your Rice friends, and experience Texans football firsthand. You might just leave as a lifelong fan like I did.
About the author
Maximiliano Triana Camacho is a third-year Ph.D. student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University. Originally from Mexico, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Business Administration. Beyond the lab, he enjoys exploring Houston’s sports scene and sharing his experiences as a Rice Graduate Ambassador. Read more.
Further Reading:
Houston Sports 101: Rice Football Basics for New Owls
Covered Water Fun for a Houston Summer
PhD Retrospective: Each semester, one objective. Year one.