ready for some football

College Football Championship weekend kicks off in Houston with free concerts, events, and more

America's eyes will be on Houston on Monday, January 8, as the city hosts the College Football Playoff National Championship game at NRG Stadium, broadcast live on ESPN. Houston, notably, scores the championship game as the College Football Playoffs toast 10 years.

The game sees No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines — who bested Alabama in the Rose Bowl — face off with the No. 2-ranked Washington Huskies, who just broke UT fans' hearts after beating the Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.

While swarms of Wolverines and Huskies will hit H-Town for Monday's championship game, locals won't need a championship ticket to get in on the action, thanks to a jam-packed weekend of events — almost all of which are free.

Downtown has been dubbed Championship Campus for the big weekend activities: Playoff Fan Central, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, the Trophy Trot 5K and 10K, Taste of the Championship, and the Allstate Championship Tailgate.

We've got the playbook for all the fun starting Friday, January 5. But first, an insider tip:

CultureMap readers who use luxury rideshare service Alto can score $10 off two rides through Monday night. To help pregame, beloved Houston brewery Karbach is getting the first round for Alto users with free beers in the car during championship weekend rides through Monday (for riders 21 and older — sorry, high schoolers). Be sure to use code CHAMPIONSHIP when booking an Alto trip online.

Now, game on.

Playoff Fan Central: Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 at the George R. Brown Convention Center

The free, three-day, family-friendly activities kick off at noon on Friday. Expect games, serious athletic drills, autograph signings, cool activations, youth sports clinics, pep rallies, photo opps, and special exhibits celebrating all things college football.

Arrive early (9 am) on Saturday for Media Day. Fans get free access as Michigan and Washington coaches and players are interviewed; fans can listen in with mini radios supplied at the program.

College Football Playoff National Championship 2024 Houston drills Work those agility drills at Fan Fest.Photo courtesy of College Football Playoffs

It's not just the football teams facing off: The Michigan and Washington bands will perform on Sunday at 2 pm and 3 pm, respectively, for what promises to be a super sonic showdown.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!: Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 at Shell Energy Stadium

Kudos to event organizers and sponsors for securing musical talent that demands top-dollar tickets — for free. These AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! free concerts get the energy pumping, starting with Kidz Bop on Friday.

Country stat Megan Moroney takes the stage Sunday along with Jon Pardi and Jake Owen.Photo by David McClister

Rap and hip-hop fans should be ready to line up for rap stars Jack Harlow, the pride of Kentucky rap who's making waves with his new VR concert experience. Two-time Grammy nominee Latto, many remember her as the star of The Rap Game reality show, also takes the stage on Saturday. They'll be joined by towering (he's 6'5) Georgia rapper 2 Chainz, a former college athlete himself, who hooped for Alabama State University.

Sunday gets country with Grand Ole Opry member/crooner Jon Pardi, who just revealed he's sober and is a refreshing country throwback. Handsome star singer-songwriter (and passionate golfer) Jake Owen is also on the bill, as is and multi-platinum country artist-songwriter Megan Moroney, a rising, charismatic star.

Fans must register for concert tickets online in advance, show the QR code via the CFBPlayoff mobile app at the convention center, and secure a wristband for entry to all shows except Kidz Bop on Friday.

Trophy Trot: Sunday, January 7 downtown

Get that pre-game cardio in with a family-friendly run/walk starting at 9 am. New this year, participants can compete in both 5K and 10K distances. Each Trophy Trot participant receives a T-shirt and medal, with numerous chances to win tickets to the CFP National Championship game the next day. Registration is open now.

All proceeds benefit Extra Yard for Teachers, the College Football Playoff Foundation's nonprofit that inspires and empowers quality teachers.

Taste of the Championship: Sunday, January 7 at Union Station in Minute Maid Park

As we reported, this premium dining experience and fundraising event boasts a veritable gourmet feast from an all-star roster of chefs and more than 30 restaurants. James Beard Award-winning chef, media personality, and CultureMap Wine Guy Chris Shepherd will host, backed up by Louisiana-based party band The Phunky Monkeys. All proceeds benefit the CFP Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers platform. Find tickets here.

Southern Smoke Festival 2023 Houston food all stars Aaron Bludorn and Chris Shepherd headline Taste of the Championship. Photo by Emily Jaschke

Allstate Championship Tailgate: Monday, January 8 at NRG Stadium

What's a big-time football game without a tailgate? Fans with a ticket to Monday's showdown should head to Blue Lots 16, 17, and 18 starting at 11 am. This tailgate features interactive games, activations, concessions, award-winning musical acts, live performances by each team’s marching band, and a chance to watch the live ESPN broadcasts.

Again: Fans must present a national championship game ticket for entry to the Allstate Championship Tailgate.

Stay on top of all the action and updates at Championship Campus online and follow @CFBPlayoff on social media.

College Football Playoff National Championship 2024 Houston trophy

Photo courtesy of College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game will kick off with a weekend of free events.

a race to remember

Kimi Antonelli's win + more top moments from Texas' F1 weekend

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.

Photo by Amber Heckler

The top three finishers were Kimi Antonelli, Charles LeClerc, and Max Verstappen.

After three days of racing action, the 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) came to an exciting end.

Unlike in previous years, there was no sprint race to keep spectators especially close to the edge of their seats. However, there were other new additions to the experience that had attendees buzzing during breaks from the racing action: a new amusement park, a divisive luxury hospitality building, brand activations, and mid-day concerts scattered around at various venues.

We endured the awful traffic just to see it all, and to bring you our favorite moments from the weekend.

The U.S. Grand Prix was Kimi Antonelli’s weekend
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, only 20 years old, dominated the weekend. He is now just two points away from becoming the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to win the title as World Champion. Antonelli secured his seventh pole position of the season during the Qualifying session Saturday, and cleanly won the U.S. Grand Prix the following afternoon. If Antonelli clinches the championship next week during the Mexico Grand Prix, he will be the first Italian World Champion after 73 years.

Following his win on Sunday, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is only two points away from winning the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. Photo by Amber Heckler

New year, new celebrity sightings — and some familiar faces
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was one of the most recognizable visitors to Austin last weekend. The race weekend always brings out so many high-profile attendees that we can hardly keep up. A few well-known attendees we spotted this weekend — other than the drivers themselves — included Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, local billionaire Michael Dell, actors Keegan-Michael Key and Damson Idris, and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Fans booed as he handed the trophy to Kimi Antonelli, then they switched to cheers after the driver took it, contrasting the two reactions in the span of seconds. It’s always a pleasure to chat with some regulars, too, like World Fencing League founder Miles Chamley-Watson and the devout Ferrari Pope.

Fun and quirky flags show driver support
During Austin’s busy festival season, I look forward to finding all the unique flags and banners that spectators bring to Austin City Limits Music Festival and to the F1 weekend. Franco Colapinto always draws in many die-hard Argentine fans, and we spotted three Colapinto banners tied to the Turn 1 Grandstand on Sunday. Kimi Antonelli also got a cute show of support from two girls who printed his face onto an Italian flag.

Two young girls hold a flag with Kimi Antonelli's face on it at the 2026 U.S. Grand Prix These fans knew Kimi Antonelli would win.Photo by Amber Heckler

Fashionistas come out to play
Every year we spot a few trendsetting F1 attendees who stand out among a sea of team merchandise. Westernwear was a common sight behind the paddock, and we noticed an overwhelming number of cowboy hats — sans boots and jeans. One of our favorite fashion-forward spectators eschewed the Western look for a bright floral romper, an ombré Ferrari hat, and rainbow petal platform espadrilles; her friend looked effortless in a colorfully striped duster. Stay tuned for these and more exhilarating race weekend shots in photographer Daniel Cavazos' gallery later this week.

The shiny new Turn 1 hospitality club that kept people talking all weekend
If we had a drink every time we heard talk about the brand-new, members-only hospitality club at Turn 1, we would have missed most of the event. We heard complaints ad nauseam about the gigantic eyesore all weekend long. We were skeptical about the idea of swimming in either of the two rooftop pools during the race weekend, but we admit we were slightly envious of the gondolas that carried members to and from the Paddock Club.

The COTALand Theme Park adds new off-track entertainment
While navigating the Grand Plaza, we encountered COTA’s recently opened amusement park, complete with roller coasters, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and nostalgic-looking restaurant storefronts. Speakers blared pop music around the park — including a rubber chicken parody of A-ha’s famous hit “Take on Me” — which induced auditory whiplash as it overlapped with other music coming from individual rides. It wasn’t our cup of tea, but thrill-seekers seemed to be enjoying the rides when there wasn’t any on-track action to watch.

COTALAND amusement park Brightly lit LED screens displayed wildflowers at the COTALand entrance.Photo by Amber Heckler

Photo by Amber Heckler

The top three finishers were Kimi Antonelli, Charles LeClerc, and Max Verstappen.

Austin’s busiest and most festival-heavy month is now drawing to a close. We’re sure locals will be looking forward to the Austin Food & Wine Festival and the Texas Book Festival in November, but after back-to-back weekends of ACL Fest, Hot Luck food festival, and F1, we’re grateful for a little respite.

f1 formula 1 formula 1 weekend austin austin circuit of the americas cota