As someone who's lucky enough to call Houston home, I can honestly say there's nothing like the thrill of going to an Astros game at Minute Maid Park*. The atmosphere is electric, and the stadium is full of unique and fun traditions, like the Houston Astros home run train and the retractable roof. Whether you're a long-time fan or just looking for a fun day out, it's an experience that never gets old. There’s a sense of pride in cheering on the team in the city I grew up in, especially in a place as iconic as Minute Maid*. It is especially fun to go to games with friends and to be able to show them your team!
One time, my roommate and I attended an Astros versus Red Sox game. My roommate is from Boston, so naturally, we had a bit of a friendly rivalry going on. She showed up in her Red Sox gear, while I proudly wore my Astros jersey, ready to defend my hometown team. My residential college, Sid Rich, organizes a lot of events throughout the year to get students to attend Astros games or other sporting events around Houston. Rice also helps subsidize tickets which makes it so everyone can join!
If baseball isn’t your thing or you just want to mix it up, heading to a Houston Rockets game at the Toyota Center is a must. If you want to experience the full force of Texas football culture, going to a Houston Texans game at NRG Stadium is the way to do it. And for soccer fans, Houston has not one, but two professional teams — the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and the Houston Dash (NWSL), who play at Shell Energy Stadium. Fun fact: the Houston Dash is Houston’s only women’s professional sports team!
Another perk that makes it convenient to get to the games is the free Metro QCard that all Rice undergrads receive upon matriculation. With the Metro QCard, students can easily hop on the light rail or bus to get to the ballpark without worrying about parking or traffic. Since Rice is located close to the Metro Red Line light rail corridor, downtown Houston, Midtown, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center and the Reliant Park complex are easy to access.
Being a student at Rice means more than just life on campus — it means having all of Houston’s energy, culture and opportunities right outside your door!
-Tegan, Sid Rich '25 (Published on 4/29/2025)
*Now known as Daikin Park
Keep Exploring
Moving away from Houston before high school sparked a love for exploring new places in Leyana, McMurtry ‘29. Now back in H-Town, she’s spent her freshman year rediscovering the city. From concert venues to local parks, here’s a look at her favorite spots so far!
Growing up in a small village, I (Pu, Martel ‘29) vividly remember a dozen kids gathering around a tiny box television just to watch a soccer match. Our village didn’t have much, but for 90 minutes, none of that mattered. The FIFA World Cup is where dreams come true, communities unite and the entire planet speaks a single language: soccer. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that I went from watching the tournament on that tiny screen to playing a behind-the-scenes role in bringing these massive sporting events to billions of people across the globe. Here’s a look at what it’s really like to bring the game to life on the international stage!
Working on a major global event is a common goal for anyone interested in the sports industry, but at Rice, these opportunities can often start earlier than expected. I’m Jacob L., Hanszen '27, and over the past year, I worked with the Houston Host City Committee to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here’s a look at my experience and the lessons I learned while helping to lay the groundwork for the tournament.
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