As Houston gears up for the College Football Playoff National Championship, it's not just high-rolling fans and alumni getting a slice of the action. More than 1,200 kids from various neighborhoods were bused into the heart of the excitement Friday, courtesy of efforts to make the event accessible to all, reported by KHOU. Chris Massey, vice president of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority, told KHOU that tying the event to the community and making it accessible is a top priority.
While tickets for the main event could scorch wallets with starting prices around $1,000, according to a Houston Chronicle report, there is a bounty of free events offered to those without tickets. Activities ranging from concert series featuring the likes of Jack Harlow at the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! event, to a potentially rib-cracking mechanical bull at Playoff Fan Central, are open to the public, giving fans without tickets a chance to revel in the championship vibe.
The event planners have put together a lineup that offers something for everyone. Running fans can join the Trophy Trot on Sunday morning, while music aficionados can get a taste of country with Jon Pardi and Jake Owen ending the day on a high note. For those looking to flex their school spirit, the marching bands from Michigan and Washington will take the field at Playoff Fan Central for some live performances. The bustling weekend also promises artistic flairs, with a CFP-commissioned mural by Houston artist Nicky Davis and additional artworks guiding fans through the cityscape.
In a splash of educational support, foodies can indulge in the Taste of the Championship, where, among a plethora of chefs, brunching supports a good cause - proceeds go towards the CFP Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers program. Houston's game without a ticket fans needing to escape the January chill can hunker down among the festivities, which include Playoff Fan Central and the downtown area transformed into an epicenter of football extravaganza - no hefty ticket required.
Parents and guardians curious about getting their children involved in the festivities without breaking the bank can reach out to local community youth organizations, like the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club. For anyone who's missed out on the school-sponsored bus rides, county precinct offices might still offer a lift to the festivities. While some sports spectators might be content watching from their couches, Houston’s approach this championship weekend is a playbook for community inclusion that other cities would do well to emulate.
