In The News

NRG STADIUM TO HOST QUARTERFINAL DOUBLE HEADER JUNE 29 IN 2019 CONCACAF GOLD CUP

 NEED TO KNOW:

• NRG Stadium will host the first quarterfinal doubleheader on Saturday, June 29, 2019, featuring the winners of A1 vs C2, and C1 vs A2.
• Mexico is the top seed in Group A and Honduras is the top seed in Group C.

HOUSTON (Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018) – Houston will host a doubleheader of quarterfinal matches on June 29, 2019 in the 15th edition of the confederation’s continental championship CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Confederation of North and Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced today in partnership with the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, the Houston Dynamo and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment.

The Gold Cup is the official national team championship of the region, which includes North and Central America and the Caribbean, taking place biannually. The 2019 edition is the first to include an expanded version with 16 teams, allowing more teams from the region to shine on a regional and global stage. As this is the 15th edition of the tournament, a record 15 venues will host matches in 2019. The seeded nations, the four highest ranked nations based on the CONCACAF Ranking Index for September 2018 are Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States. Mexico is the top seed in Group A and Honduras is the top seed in Group C.

The complete groups and schedule will be announced early next year, once all nations have qualified for the Gold Cup via the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier, with rounds upcoming in October and November of 2018, and March of 2019. To date, six of the 16 national teams scheduled to participate have qualified for next year’s tournament, those being the countries that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

NRG Stadium has been host to the Gold Cup four times previously, most recently in 2011 when it hosted the tournament semifinals. The stadium has also hosted a quarterfinal doubleheader twice in the past. This marks the fourth consecutive edition of the tournament in which BBVA Compass Stadium will serve as a host venue for the Gold Cup. The facility has been a part of every Gold Cup held since it opened in 2012.

Eight Gold Cup host markets – including Houston – have been announced as the United Bid’s final candidate host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup is sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, Cerveza Modelo, Nike, Scotiabank, and Toyota. The tournament will be broadcast nationally on the Univision and FOX family of networks and transmitted on radio in Spanish by Fútbol de Primera Radio Network, and broadcast by television partners in countries around the world.

Exclusive Presale Offering

Fans can now visit www.GoldCup.org to sign up for an exclusive pre-sale offering for any Gold Cup gameday in 2019, before seats go on sale to the general public. Tickets for the 2019 Gold Cup will go on sale to the public on October 23rd at 10 a.m. local. The LOC encourages fans to purchase their tickets early in order to secure the best seats for a great fan experience.

 The announcement of the CONCACAF Ranking Index for September 2018 can be found here. For more information on the qualification process to the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019, click here.

 Visual Assets for Media Members

CONCACAF, together with the Local Host Committees, have prepared visual assets to aid media members in their coverage of this announcement. To access photos and video footage of the stadiums and other assets, please click here. You may need to copy and then paste the link into your browser.

ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY – HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY

The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority is a government agency that maintains and oversees the bond debt service on the professional sports stadiums, as well as assists with the sports marketing for the destination.

ABOUT BBVA COMPASS STADIUM

BBVA Compass Stadium is a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host Houston Dynamo matches, Houston Dash matches and Texas Southern University football games as well as additional professional, collegiate and community sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, conventions and special events. Opened on May 12, 2012, the 340,000-square foot, 22,000-seat stadium is the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city’s downtown district. With its downtown location, the stadium is a part of a true ‘Stadium District,’ which includes Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center, as well as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, Warehouse Live and House of Blues.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018

H-E-B extends sponsorship OF THE BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS

HOUSTON – H-E-B is extending its relationship with Lone Star Sports and Entertainment as presenting sponsor of The Battle of the Piney Woods through the 2019 event, game officials announced today ahead of the rivalry’s 93rd edition on Saturday, Oct. 6.  The Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B is the annual football game between Southland Conference rivals Sam Houston State University and Stephen F. Austin State University played at NRG Stadium in Houston.

H-E-B became the game’s sponsor starting in 2015 before its 90^th edition. This was also the same year that NRG Stadium became the permanent home for the rivalry after the City of Houston’s sixth time hosting the game.

In 2017, the Sam Houston State Bearkats defeated the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 27-16 before a crowd of 26,792 fans at NRG Stadium. The Battle of the Piney Woods dates back to 1923, making it the third-oldest college football rivalry in the state of Texas. Sam Houston holds a 55-35-2 edge in the series following last year’s victory.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available by calling 832-667-2390 or visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $25 billion, operates more than 400 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 113th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 110,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com.

CONTACT:           Allie LeClair (832) 667-2050; allie.leclair@houstontexans.com

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018                                                           

Both head coaches available immediately following the luncheon

COACHES KICKOFF LUNCHEON – Lone Start Sports and Entertainment will host the Coaches Kickoff Luncheon presented by Don Sanders on Friday, Oct. 5^th starting at 11 a.m. at NRG Stadium.  This year’s luncheon will feature both head coaches from Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin ahead of Saturday’s Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B. Game credentials and parking for Saturday’s game will also be available for pickup at the Houston Texans offices on the second floor of NRG Stadium (enter through Bud Light Plaza off Kirby and Westridge) beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 3 until Friday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. One person must pick up and sign for their entire outlet’s credential packet.

Sam Houston State Head Coach K.C. Keeler and Stephen F. Austin Interim Head Coach Jeff Byrd will both be available to the media immediately following the luncheon at 12:45 p.m. in the Verizon West Club at NRG Stadium.

Coach Keeler and Coach Byrd will each speak to fans at the luncheon, which will be emceed by Houston Texans Radio Sideline Reporter John Harris.  Saturday’s game, the 93^rd edition of the rivalry, will be broadcast on ESPN 3 and heard locally on Sports Radio 610 starting at 1 p.m. CT.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available starting at $15 and can be purchased by visiting www.botpw.com or calling 832-667-2390.

GAME CREDENTIALS – Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B media credentials may be picked up at the Houston Texans offices on the second floor of NRG Stadium (enter through Bud Light Plaza off Kirby and Westridge) beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 3 until Friday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. One person must pick up their entire outlet’s credential packet.

If you will not be able to make it to NRG Stadium to pick up your credential and parking pass in advance of the game, please email stephanie.ramsey@houstontexans.com and provide a FedEx number for overnight shipping.

On the day of the game, credentials can be picked up at the Media Will Call window at NRG Stadium, located on the west side of the stadium, beginning three hours prior to kickoff (10 a.m. CT) until the end of the first quarter of the game.

Please note that the NFL Clear Bag Policy will be in effect. For more information, visit here.

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

Friday, October 6, 2017

HOUSTON – H-E-B is extending its relationship with Lone Star Sports and Entertainment as presenting sponsor of The Battle of the Piney Woods through the 2018 event, game officials announced today ahead of the rivalry’s 92^nd edition on Saturday, Oct. 7.  The Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B is the annual football game between Southland Conference rivals Sam Houston State University and Stephen F. Austin State University played at NRG Stadium in Houston.

H-E-B became the game’s sponsor starting in 2015 before its 90^th edition. This was also the same year that NRG Stadium became the permanent home for the rivalry after the city of Houston’s sixth time hosting the game.

In 2016, the Sam Houston State Bearkats defeated the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 63-28 before a crowd of 27,411 fans at NRG Stadium, the largest in the history of the rivalry. The Battle of the Piney Woods dates back to 1923, making it the third-oldest college football rivalry in the state of Texas. Sam Houston holds a 54-35-2 edge in the series following last year’s victory.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available by calling 832-667-2390 or visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $23 billion, operates more than 380 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2015. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 100,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com.

CONTACT:           Allie LeClair (832) 667-2050; allie.leclair@houstontexans.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017

HOUSTON – The Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B will get underway at Fan Fest, featuring a performance by The Powell Brothers, on Saturday, Oct. 7.

On gameday, Fan Fest will kick off the events at 9:30 a.m. CT in the Gravel Lot of NRG Stadium, located on the southeast side of the stadium between the Amegy Bank Gate and the Astrodome. The event is headlined by The Powell Brothers, who will hit the stage at 11 a.m. CT.

The Powell Brothers is a Country/Americana recording group from Houston and fronted by brothers Taylor Powell, on lead vocals, and Blake Powell, on lead guitar. The band is currently promoting their latest release ‘Introducing…The Powell Brothers.’ Impressively, the EP saw its first two singles “Four Wheel Hotel” and “Evangeline,” crack the Top 40. This year has been a breakout for The Powell Brothers as they partnered with Major League Baseball and ESPN events for a series of stadium performances at some of MLB and NCAA football’s most exciting games. The band has opened shows for several of country music’s biggest stars, including Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakum, Josh Turner, Gary Allan, Granger Smith and Mark Chesnutt. To learn more about The Powell Brothers, visit their site.

Fan Fest is a free event open to all 2017 Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B ticketholders that features live music, food trucks, giveaways and Kid’s Corner with inflatables and games. In addition, Papa’s Pets presented by Papa John’s Pizza will host animal adoptions on-site. Texas Bowl Gridiron Legends Charles Alexander, Michael Bishop and Don Trull will also be on-site to take pictures with fans at starting at 10:30 a.m. CT. For more information on the game, click here.

BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS FAN FEST, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

The matchup of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and the Sam Houston State Bearkats will kick off at 1 p.m. CT following the pregame festivities at NRG Stadium. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 as the Southland Conference Game of the Week. Tickets for the 92^nd edition of the Battle of the Piney Woods presented by H-E-B are available by clicking here.

CONTACTS:

Allie LeClair

(832) 667-2050

allie.leclair@houstontexans.com

Chloe Delclos

(832) 667-2085

chloe.delclos@houstontexans.com