go coogs!

Roar for the UH Cougars at this free downtown outdoor watch party

University of Houston commercial UH men's basketball Kyler Edwards

Cheer on Kyler Edwards and the Coogs this Friday.

UPDATE: As the Cougars have advanced to the Elite Eight, fans are invited to another watch party for the showdown against Villanova at 5 pm Saturday, March 26 at Avenida Houston. Register for tickets here.

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As local hoops fans know, March Madness is back and University of Houston Cougars have clinched the American Athletic Conference Championship and now face the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers on Friday, March 18.

To celebrate the No. 5-seeded Coogs as they take on UAB in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, UH and Houston First Corp. are hosting a free, downtown March Madness watch party at Avenida Houston on Friday, starting at 8 pm. Fans are encouraged to don their best UH gear or red and scream for the team.

Expect a massive 24-foot viewing screen, music, drinks, games, prizes, appearances by UH mascots Shasta and Sasha, and performances from the university’s dance, cheer, and band, per an announcement.

Those interested can register for party tickets by visiting www.uhcougars.com/tickets. Doors open 90 minutes before tip-off.

Similar watch parties happened last year, as the Coogs made it to the Final Four for the first time in nearly 40 years. The team was eventually bested by Baylor University in March 2021 in a wrenching, 78-59 loss.

Stopping the No. 12-ranked Blazers’ explosive offense won’t be easy. However, under prolific coach Kelvin Sampson — who has taken the team to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and has skillfully instilled a winning culture — the Coogs once again boast one of the best defenses in the nation.

As our sister site SportsMap points out, the Coogs are an 8.5 point favorite to win this matchup and have proven they can make a deep run.

Coogs fans can look forward to these Avenida watch parties as the team advances through the tourney and — fingers crossed — back to the Final Four.

sports downtown

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

houston astros daikin park business