Be front and center for some of the most important games and sports events in Houston during September 2016, highlighted by the start of football season for the Houston Texans and University of Houston Cougars.
Also in September 2016
Top 10 Plays & Arts Performances
With football season kicking off in September, it’s the happiest time of year for sports fans in Texas. Every team is undefeated. Hope springs eternal. In Houston, the Texans will be unveiling a retooled offense led by $72 million quarterback Brock Osweiler. The University of Houston Cougars have national title aspirations as they open with the season with a heavyweight showdown against Oklahoma.
The Houston Astros are fighting for a second consecutive trip to the playoffs as they enter the final full month of the MLB season. Even the Houston Dynamo, playing out the string on a dismal campaign, have a couple of compelling matchups on the docket.
Top 13 Games & Sports Events this Month: September 2016
- Houston Cougars Football vs. Oklahoma Sooners at NRG Stadium | Saturday, September 3 – Coming off a 13-1 season and No. 8 final ranking in the polls, No. 13 Houston will be flying high as it opens the 2016 season in the Advocare Texas Kickoff against No. 3 Oklahoma in a game that will be televised nationally on ABC. A victory would catapult coach Tom Herman’s team squarely into the College Football Playoff conversation. Tickets start at $45, not including ticket fees. 11am.
- Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride at BBVA Compass Stadium | Saturday, September 3 – Watch U.S. Women’s National Team stars Carli Lloyd of the hometown Dash and Alex Morgan of the visiting Pride go head-to-head in this NWSL matchup during Labor Day Weekend. Tickets start at $15, not including ticket fees. 7:30pm.
- Texas Southern University Tigers Football vs. Prairie View A&M University Panthers at Panther Stadium (Prairie View) | Sunday, September 4 – Technically in “Greater Houston” (Prairie View’s campus in Waller County is about a 45-minute drive northwest of Houston on US-290), this annual matchup between Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals dates back to 1946 and has been played on Labor Day Weekend since 1985. Tickets are $30, not including ticket fees. 5pm.
- Houston Dynamo vs. Chivas de Guadalajara | Sunday, September 4 – The Dynamo square off in a friendly against one of the most storied teams of Mexico’s Liga MX, whose roster includes popular Mexican National Team stars Nestor Calderon and captain Carlos Salcido. Pregame festivities will include a Fan Fest with food, games, and concerts. Tickets start at $35, not including ticket fees. 6pm.
- Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs at Minute Maid Park | Friday, September 9 – The Astros’ first home game of the month is a Friday night showdown with the Cubs, who have had the best record in baseball all season long. As with every Friday night game at MMP, enjoy a Texas-sized fireworks show after the game. Tickets start at $15, not including ticket fees. 7:10pm.
- Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium | Sunday, September 11 – The Brock Osweiler era officially gets underway as the Texans kick off their 2016 season at home against Jay Cutler and the Bears. J.J. Watt’s status for the “Liberty White Out” game is in question as he recovers from back surgery. Tickets start at $131, not including ticket fees. Noon.
- Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park | Wednesday, September 14 – This is the Astros’ series (and season) finale against their in-state division rival Rangers, who enter the month of September with a comfortable-but-not-insurmountable lead in the AL West. Tickets start at $10, not including ticket fees. 7:10pm.
- Rice Owls Football vs. Baylor Bears at Rice Stadium | Friday, September 16 – In coach David Bailiff’s ninth season at the helm, Rice opens its home schedule with an ESPN primetime game against Baylor — who, despite a scandal-ridden offseason, enter the season as a top-25 team — in this matchup of old Southwestern Conference rivals. Tickets start at $45, not including ticket fees. 7pm.
- Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium | Sunday, September 18 – The Texans won the AFC South division title in 2015 but were embarrassed by the Chiefs in a humbling 30-0 home playoff loss. This game will be an early indication of how much they have improved with the offseason additions of Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller, and rookie wide receivers Will Fulller and Braxton Miller. Tickets start at $73, not including ticket fees. Noon.
- Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park | Sunday, September 25 – The Texans are off after a Thursday night game at New England on September 22, so it’s the perfect time to spend a Sunday afternoon at the ballpark and catch the Angels’ Mike Trout in action against Jose Altuve and the Astros. Tickets start at $9, not including ticket fees. 1:10pm.
- Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park | Wednesday, September 28 – It’s Fan Appreciation Day for the Astros’ final home game of the season. The first 10,000 fans in the stadium will receive a 2016 team poster presented by Baytown GMC and 2017 schedule pen presented by Waste Management. Tickets start at $15, not including ticket fees. 1:10pm.
- Houston Cougars Football vs. UConn Huskies at TDECU Stadium | Thursday, September 29 – The Cougars will be looking to avenge their only loss of 2015, a shocking late-season letdown on the road at UConn that dashed their hopes at an undefeated season. This Thursday night game will be televised on ESPN. Tickets start at $32, not including ticket fees. 7pm.
- Houston Dynamo vs. New York City FC at BBVA Compass Stadium | Friday, September 30 – The last-place Dynamo will look to steal some points from Eastern Conference-leading New York City, which is led by a trio of aging-yet-thriving European superstars in England’s Frank Lampard, Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, and Spain’s David Villa. Tickets start at $32, not including ticket fees. 6:45pm.