In order to achieve maximum Houston literacy, you’ve got to have a steady handle on the basics of Houston’s biggest sports franchises. Thankfully, Houston’s got a myriad of entertainment offerings in the athletic world, whether you fancy a cheap night out in east downtown or are willing to cough up more cash for a Sunday night football game. And just for good measure, even if you’re not a football junkie, you’ll look like a straight fool in Houston if you don’t know who J.J. Watt is.
Men’s soccer: Houston Dynamo
Where they play:
BBVA Compass Stadium at 2200 Texas Ave.
What you’ll pay:
Tickets start at around $20, and climb upwards of $100 for VIP seating.
Athlete to know:
Midfielder Brad Davis qualified for the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
How they did last season:
The MLS has two conferences, Eastern and Western. The Dynamo play in the Western conference and are ranked No. 8 out of 10 conference teams.
Women’s soccer: Houston Dash
Where they play:
BBVA Compass Stadium
What you’ll pay:
General admission starts at $15, and tickets climb up to $42 for President’s Club seating.
Athlete to know:
Midfielder Carli Lloyd– y’know, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and player that just had the statistically best women’s World Cup performance in history.
How they did last season:
Finished in last place with five wins, three draws and 16 losses.
Men’s football: Houston Texans
Where they play:
NRG Stadium at Reliant Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
What you’ll pay:
You can probably get nosebleed-level seats for under $50, but some tickets nearing the field can climb near $250, even going up to $400 and $500 when it’s close to game time.
Athlete to know:
Defensive end JJ Watt. He’s a cultural icon in Houston, and he’s a household name around the nation. In his four seasons with the Texans, Watt’s won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award twice. He’s also set two franchise records.
How they did last season:
Considering how they did in 2013 (2-14) the Texans’ 2014 record of 9-7 was a welcome change.
Men’s baseball: Houston Astros
Where they play:
Minute Main Park at 501 Crawford St.
What you’ll pay:
Depends on where you want to sit. Nosebleeds go for around $15, while club seats will cost you around $100.
Athlete to know:
Second baseman Jose Altuve. Aside from him being one of the shortest players in the league at 5’5”, Altuve’s been a force of nature for the Astros since his 2011 debut. He’s been selected to three All Star games and has a batting average of just over .300.
How they did last season:
From 2010 until 2013, the Astros finished in last place in their division. In the midst of the 2015 season, they’re regarded as one of the best teams in the MLB.
Men’s basketball: Houston Rockets
Where they play:
Toyota Center at 1510 Polk St.
What you’ll pay:
After last season’s sky-high performance, you’ll have to cough up some serious cash. You’re looking at paying anywhere from $30 to a few hundred bucks.
Athlete to know:
Shooting guard James Harden. Fear the beard.
How they did last season:
They finished 56-23, the third best in their history. They advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals, but fell to the Golden State Warriors 1-4.
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