Reliant or TDECU for Tailgating?

Football
1

I know this is a polarizing topic in general, but this focus is for tailgating. I actually think Reliant Stadium is a better venue for tailgating. Which do you prefer?

  • Reliant Stadium
  • TDECU Stadium
0 voters

This is an ancillary issue to the Reliant or TDECU debate, but if UH ever wants to be considered for a better conference, it needs to show a willingness to have non-bowl games at Reliant Stadium as long as TDECU is a 40,000 seat stadium. Even in the B12, UH is more apt to attract marquee opponents to Reliant Stadium than TDECU. A 40,000 seat stadium does not scream “big time” in college football.

2

Nobody seems to mention about TCU (42,000), Cincy (39,000), SMU (32,000), Vandy(36,000), Duke (33,000), Wake Forest (32,000), Baylor (46,000), Northwestern (35,000). Our stadium is big enough until it isn’t. I was told with SRO we can get slightly over 43,000 with current regulations in place.

15 Likes
3

Fudge Reliant.

That said the tailgating at TDECU is NOTHING compared to what we had at Robertson. Changing the stadium orientation has really messed it up.

I will say that if we are able to relocate UHPD, then maybe we can use that space to bring back proper tailgating. :thinking:

8 Likes
4

I LIKE tailgating at TDECU more but Reliant tailgating is a MOTHER-EFFING PARTY!!!

Hopefully, we can get back there at UH…

Not sure if that was the question.

5

Yup… until we’re putting 40k in every game then it’s not even a topic…

If anything the FC needs another 2k in capacity.

2 Likes
6

They should have built Cougar Place elsewhere too.

7

Stadium capacity is a thing of the past. The things that are important in stadiums now is premium seating options, better sightlines, and amenities which we have done a good job with.

Stadium School Old Capacity Projected Capacity Change Trend
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Florida 88,548 88,548 0 Neutral
Memorial Stadium Nebraska 85,458 ~80,000 –5,000 Downsizing
Ryan Field Northwestern 47,130 35,000 –12,130 Downsizing
Doak Campbell Stadium Florida State 79,560 67,277 –12,283 Downsizing
Beaver Stadium Penn State 106,572 109,000+ +2,500–3,000 Upsizing
Williams‑Brice Stadium South Carolina 77,559 Low 70,000s –5,000 to –7,000 Downsizing
Memorial Stadium (Faurot Field) Missouri 62,621 ~65,000 +2,000–3,000 Upsizing
War Memorial Stadium Wyoming 29,181 ~25,000 –4,000 Downsizing

Note Missouri is enclosing their North Endzone and Penn State is chasing the capacity crown.

I would not be shocked if they did more premium options like these Balconies at MissState The Balconies at Davis Wade - Mississippi State
and took TDECU capacity down under 40k.

2 Likes
8

As far as tailgating goes I wish they could figure out how to get the people that tailgate together in 1 lot instead of having them spread out around campus.

7 Likes
9

This is key. I think someone mentioned it in the JD thread too. Even if they keep the Green, Blue, etc tiers in tact, they can still rope off a section for tailgating only in each lot.

The vibes are SO much better when it’s tailgate after tailgate all in one spot.

5 Likes
10

You have that entire area over by the Bruce Religion Center that can be turned into UH’s version of the Grove on game days. Also, when construction is completed, new tailgate spots should open up in pedestrian areas.

1 Like
11

One other thing; the powers that be should get rid of paid tailgating and Revel. Paying at least $1,800 a game for nothing more than a 10x10
tent and set up is a hindrance to tailgating. It chases most folks away, and suppresses game day atmosphere.

Chasing a few bucks, at the expense of fsns, is not in our collective interests, the Administration included.

5 Likes
12

To be honest, several of those are considered to be among the smallest football brands in the P4.

Not necessarily the kind of company we would prefer to call our “peer group.”

13

Yet they are

14

That’s the point.

We’d rather move UP and have a more impressive stadium with expanded capacity.

NOT be content to stay at their level.

15

The fact we had better tailgating during the Robertson years tells a lot about this conversation. We need to get back to that atmosphere

4 Likes
16

Our fan base is our fan base, I am not sure it is something that we can just change levels with. At some point we need get to 35-40k and find a way to be happy there.

Average home attendance by year.
1976 - 37,849 Includes 70k vs A&M
1977 - 38,719 Includes 72k vs UT
1978 - 39,253
1979 - 37,128
1980 - 31,902
1981 - 32,778
1985 - 23,634
1989 - 28,449
2006 - 20,494
2016 - 38,953
2023 - 36,020

Part of the reason tailgating at the Rob was more fun was there were less of us. and the school as a whole was smaller, they had space they don’t have now.

Baylor has a tailgate concert before their games and will feature Pat Green at one of their games.

1 Like
17

One of my thoughts starting this post was the layout at TDECU is not conducive to widespread tailgating.

TDECU opened in 2014. Here are the P5 teams that have played non-conference games at TDECU:
2015: Vanderbilt
2016: Louisville
2017: Texas Tech
2018: Arizona
2020: BYU (Independent)
2022: Kansas

I still advocate that if it makes financial sense for UH, UH should be open to schduling big games at Reliant Stadium. If you want the brand to grow and gain national credibility, you have to have an atmosphere that is on par with the showcase games on Saturday.

18

Boo.
All our efforts should go toward making games on campus the event Coogfans want to be a part of

4 Likes
19

Then get more fans there, like yourself

2 Likes
20

NO! Schedule big games in TDECU to try to attract new season ticket holders and average close to 40K per game to maybe justify expansion.

7 Likes