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
