Top 10 Games & Sports Events This Month: January 2023

Grab a ticket and some popcorn for our picks to the top games and sports events across Houston in January 2023.

Basketball takes center court in January, with both the top-ranked Cougars and Rockets facing tough competition at home.

But, you’ll also have chances to make good on those resolutions with one of Houston’s biggest marathon events, plus monster truck at NRG and more.

We’ve rounded up the top highlights of this month’s sporting schedule, but you can find more on the 365 Houston calendar.

Top 10 Games & Sports Events This Month: January 2023

• College Basketball: Houston Cougars vs. SMU at Fertitta Center | Thursday, January 5 – The nationally-ranked No. 2 Coogs are hosting a Texas battle as SMU visits the Fertitta Center. $15 and up. 6pm.
• Art Car IPA 5K at Flying Saucer Downtown | Sunday, January 8 – Keep those resolutions in mind and take a nice guided and marked 3.5-mile run/walk, culminating with three tasty brews from Saint Arnold Brewing Company, a pint glass and a Texas Tamale Company breakfast. $35. 8am to 11am.
• Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center | Sunday, January 8 – ​​K.J. Martin of the Rockets looks to add another poster on the Wolves’ Rudy Gobert when Minny comes to Space City. $12 and up. 6pm.
• We Are Houston 5K in Downtown Houston | Saturday, January 14 – The official warm-up run for the Houston Marathon, this 5K sends runners from Discovery Green, through Downtown and back. If you missed your chance to get into the big event on Sunday, then this is a great last-minute way to participate in the weekend. $50 and up. 8am start.
• Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Half Marathon in Downtown Houston | Sunday, January 15 – Now in its 51st year, Houston’s signature run event lines up registered runners for a meandering course that takes them through the city’s districts like Montrose, Medical Center, the Galleria, Memorial Park and back again to finish at Avenida de las Americas. While it’s too late to lace ’em up if you missed registration, you can still celebrate thousands of runners across the city along the marathon course. 7am to 2:30pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Hornets at Toyota Center | Wednesday, January 18 – Jalen Green is looking to take the sting out of the Hornets as LaMelo Ball and his Charlotte team bounce into Clutch City. $12 and up. 7pm.
• Houston Astros FanFest at Minute Maid Park | Saturday, January 21 | FREE – Gather with fellow fanatics celebrating the Astros’ second World Series win at the annual FanFest held at Minute Maid. You’ll have the chance to meet favorite players, alumni and broadcasters, plus take advantage of photo ops with the World Series trophy, play games and more. Though free to attend, you must claim a voucher online to enter. 11am to 4pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center | Thursday, January 26 – The Cavs hit Houston’s homecourt in a bid to stay near the top of the East standings when they visit the Rockets. $18 and up. 7pm.
• College Basketball: Houston Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bears at Fertitta Center | Saturday, January 28 – The Coogs face a difficult conference opponent when Cincinnati rolls through the UH campus. $20 and up. 1:15pm.
• Monster Jam at NRG Stadium | Saturday, January 28 & Sunday, January 29 – Marvel at the gravity-defying experience of monster trucks when Monster Jam arrives in Houston. Fan favorites like Grave Digger and others will take to the dirt course for freestyle, skills challenges and racing competitions across each of the scheduled events. $20 and up. Saturday 7pm; Sunday 3pm.