University of Houston Athletics
What's New at 2015 Houston Football Game Days
8/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON -- The 2015 Houston Football season is quickly approaching and, with that, a number of new features designed to enhance the fan experience at TDECU Stadium are being rolled out. Houston Athletics is constantly evaluating the fan experience to look at new opportunities to grow and strengthen the Cougar fan base.
A complete informational breakdown of fan experience items including Game Day A-to-Z, parking, tailgating, RV parking, Shasta Square and directions to TDECU Stadium can be found here.
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Club Entrances -- An extra benefit for those with season tickets in the south side TDECU Stadium Club or those with season tickets in the Bill Yeoman Hall (section 129) will be dedicated club entrances into TDECU Stadium. Fans with club seats will enter the facility through the Milner Lobby on the south side of the Stadium, adjacent to Lot 12A. Fans with season tickets in section 129 will enter just outside Gate 1. The entrances will allow those with clubs access into the stadium much quicker, and those ticket holders will receive wristbands to allow unlimited access in and out of the clubs. Please note, season ticket cards for those with club seats will only work at the club entrances.
Concession Discounts for Season Ticket Members -- With new season ticket cards, Houston season ticket members will be able to experience discounts at concession stands throughout TDECU Stadium thanks to a partnership with concessionaire provider Aramark. Discounts on specific items will be presented to season ticket members who show their cards, and discounts will be clearly marked on menus throughout the stadium.
CSC -- Beginning in 2015, crowd management and guest services at Houston Athletics events will be operated by CSC Houston, which has been providing services to the Greater Houston area since 1999. The quality of service from CSC, seen at NRG Stadium, is unparalleled by any other firm, and the approach to event staffing and security has resulted in a loyal and esteemed clientele base.
Cub Zone Kids Concession Prices -- Located on the west side of the stadium under the Memorial Hermann Family Plan sections, the Cub Zone concession stand at section 120 will provide specially priced and sized concession items for kids 12 and under with kid-friendly counter heights.
Fan Shop -- Beginning this season, the Houston Fan Shop located in the TDECU Stadium parking garage will stay open postgame for the convenience of fans who would like to make their purchases following the game. Houston Fan Shop stands can also be found near sections 136 and 118 on the lower concourse and a third location on the upper concourse in the southeast corner of TDECU Stadium. You can shop 24-7 at the UH Fan Shop online .
Field Wraps -- The interior of TDECU Stadium will have a giant splash of color beginning in 2015 as Houston Athletics, in partnership with IMG, will install Houston Cougar branded wraps along the entire field level wall above John O'Quinn Field.
Food Trucks -- In partnership with Aramark, Houston Athletics will add multiple food trucks on Cullen Boulevard in Shasta Square prior to each home game. Fans should keep an eye out on @UHCougarFB on Twitter for the announcement of each home game's trucks.
Kids Zone - Houston's younger fans will be able to enjoy the Kids Zone complete with inflatables, games and other activities for children and families in Shasta Square prior to each game. The zone is located just outside of Gate 4 on the stadium's north side. A map of Shasta Square, including Kids Zone, can be found here.
Legends Plaza -- Located outside Gate 1 of TDECU Stadium on the stadium's northeast corner, Legends Plaza is anchored by a statue of Coach Bill Yeoman, Houston's Hall of Fame coach. The area contains also contains a bronze Cougar statue honoring the "Brezina Boys" and panels notating Houston's football history throughout the years.
Metro Rail Purple Line -- The Metro Rail Purple Line is now operational including a stop just outside Gate 3 on the west end of TDECU Stadium. Houston fans can enjoy the ease of travel on the 6.6-mile Purple Line which begins downtown and travels southeast along Capitol and Rusk to the Palm Center near MLK and Griggs. More information on the Metro Line can be found here.
Parking -- Cougar Pride parking for 2015 has been updated with the addition of Lot 16B for All-Conference Club and Captain's Club. Coach's Club has expanded to include Lot 15C on Holman Street in addition to Lot 12B. All-American Club has moved from Lots 9B and 15C to the TDECU Stadium Garage.
Varsity Club has moved from the TDECU Stadium Garage to Lots 16D, 16E, 16G, 16H, 16I, 16J and 18A. Student game day parking has also shifted south to lots 9B and 9C and is free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis for students with a valid UH ID. The map of all parking lots, including cash lots, can be found here.
Season Ticket Cards -- In an ongoing effort to enhance the fan experience, Houston Athletics will introduce the Football Season Ticket Membership Card to replace traditional paper tickets. Entering TDECU Stadium, fans will have their cards scanned before proceeding to their seats.
Managing tickets throughout the season will also become much easier, as fans can forward tickets to friends or print tickets from home by logging into their online accounts. Season ticket members will receive a Season Ticket Membership Card for each seat in their account. Tickets for all regular-season home games will be pre-loaded onto each Season Ticket Membership card. For more information, please contact the Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-462-6647.
Second Parking Lot Shuttle Line -- In addition to the 2014 shuttle line that serviced the south side of the UH campus on game days, a shuttle line for the north side of campus has been added for 2015. The shuttle will pick up fans at Elgin Street and the east end of Lot 16B for those fans parked in Lots 16B, 16D, 16E, 16G, 16H, 16I, 16J and 18A. The map of both shuttles can be found here.
Shasta Square -- Unveiled in 2014, Shasta Square returns in 2015 and will add the UHAA Party on the Plaza, the Spirit of Houston Tailgate and Tailgate USA rental locations. Full information and a map of Shasta Square can be found here.
Smoke for the Team Entrance -- A cloud of smoke and pillars of fire will return for the Cougars' entrance to the field this season. A billowing cloud will engulf the team entrance under the Data Foundry canopy in the southeast corner of TDECU Stadium as Houston makes its way to the field at the 6-minute mark.
Spirit of Houston Tailgate -- A new addition to Shasta Square, the Spirit of Houston tailgate is located just outside the east doors of the Bert F. Winston Band Complex. More information on the Spirit of Houston can be found here.
Tailgate USA -- Beginning in 2015, Houston fans can purchase a full tailgate trailer setup from Tailgate USA for placement in Shasta Square on a game-by-game basis. Tailgate USA offers a variety of packages for Houston fans with up to four rental spots available per game. Tailgate USA packages can be found herewith contact information to reserve a package found here.
TDECU Stadium Parking Garage Entrance -- Only the student entrance of the TDECU Stadium Garage will be used for Cougar Pride parking. The west entrance will be used for media parking.
Tobacco Free Campus -- In conjunction with the University of Houston's tobacco-free campus initiative, smoking, including electronic cigarettes, will no longer be allowed on the grounds of TDECU Stadium. For more information on a tobacco free campus, please click here.
Traffic Patterns -- With the addition of the Metro Purple Line, fans are encouraged to select the best route of travel to Houston Football games and should expect potential delays on Scott Street with multiple light rail crossings. Suggested directions for each game day lot can be found here, and Houston Athletics highly encourages the use of the directions to ensure an efficient drive in. The map of all parking lots, including cash lots, with surrounding streets can be found here.
UHAA Party on the Plaza -- The popular UHAA Party on the Plaza is moving south to Shasta Square, just outside Gate 1 of TDECU Stadium. Party on the Plaza is the official University of Houston Alumni Association tailgate party held four hours before every Houston Cougars home football game. Join UHAA for food, fun and excitement at the new location. Full information on the UHAA Party on the Plaza can be found here.
Video Board Closed Captioning -- To provide the best fan experience to every Houston fan, closed captioning will be added to the TDECU Stadium video boards beginning with the 2015 season.
WiFi -- Boingo Wireless, the official Internet provider for TDECU Stadium, will enhance its wireless service at the Cougars' home facility for the start of the 2015 season. Boingo's Distributed Antenna System (DAS) network, which will provide fast, reliable cellular coverage and data capacity throughout the 40,000-seat TDECU Stadium, will be leveraged by T-Mobile this season. Through its access contract, T-Mobile will extend TDECU Stadium cellular access to subscribers, as part of its existing mobile data plans. Boingo's DAS networks feature a neutral host design to support multiple carriers, ensuring maximum coverage for Houston fans.
Timed to the start of the 2015 season, Boingo has also expanded the Wi-Fi network at the stadium to include the stadium Level 1 party decks and Bert F. Winston Band Complex. The company already operates Wi-Fi services at all entrances, all suites, loge boxes and concession areas, the Club Lounge and the press box.
Zip Whip -- In addition to the in-stadium Guest Assist Text Messaging System (text UH to 69050), Houston Athletics has partnered with ZipWhip to assist customer service with fans. Fans can send text messages to Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647). After receiving text messages to that number, Fan Experience Headquarters representatives will quickly respond with information and answers to any questions.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS
Purchase your 2015 Houston Football season tickets for as low as $99 a seat in TDECU Stadium at UHCougars.com/2015. Guarantee your place for all home games including SEC opponent Vanderbilt. Join Coach Herman this season and next when Houston plays host to Oklahoma and Louisville.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL GROUP TICKETS
Single-game group ticket sales for the 2015 Houston Football season are now on sale via Houston Athletics Fan Experience Headquarters. Groups of at least 10 or more can purchase tickets starting at just $17 per person to any of Houston's seven home games by calling or texting Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-GO-COOGS or by clicking here.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets for the 2015 Houston Football season are now on sale via the Houston Athletics Fan Experience Headquarters. Single-game tickets to Houston's seven home games start at just $20 and are available by calling the Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-462-6647 or by clicking here.
