Bearkat Bites: Winners and Losers of Sam Houston's Temporary Football Home

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Do YOU Like Playing At Shell Energy?
It was announced earlier this week that Sam Houston would be spending it’s 2025 football life at Shell Energy Stadium. The Bearkats will be the venue’s fourth tenant this year, as they will split time between the Houston Dynamo of MLS, Houston Dash of the NWSL, and Texas Southern University football.

This is all being done as Bowers Stadium in Huntsville undergoes renovations. Playing 71 miles down I45 south presents a unique element for Sam Houston and ‘Kat fans are raging with debate on whether or not playing at Shell is a good move. Well, I suppose Bearkat Bites should throw in two cents. Let’s check out some winners and losers of Sam Houston’s (temporary) move to……Houston.

WINNERS

1. The schedule makers for all four teams
   As mentioned before, several teams across two different sports need to use Shell Energy Stadium this year. The good news for all parties involved is….the schedules most work themselves out(?). There was one scheduling conflict with Sam Houston’s August 30th home opener against UNLV, but it appears that game has been moved up a day to that Friday (here come the high school fans crying a river!).

   As far as MLS or NWSL playoffs, the Dynamo don’t appear destined for the postseason but there could be potential conflict with the Houston Dash as far as playoff venue vs football game in November, although that seems to be an easy weekend workaround. Four teams in one place is a lot! However, it looks like everything will fit just perfectly.

2. Houston-based Alumni

   A large number of the Bearkat’s fanbase resides in Houston (duh!). These are folks who would consider going to a Sam Houston game if it closer to them (hence the solid attendance numbers when the ‘Kats play at NRG Stadium). If Sam Houston can successfully market the idea of seeing the team in an alumni’s backyard (especially for those midweek games), there could be real strong support at Shell this year.

3. Sam Houston

   The Bearkats have had lots of success as of late when they invade the Bayou City, with thrilling wins over everyone from SFA to Texas St. The lone blemish these days was the loss to Air Force in 2023. Let’s see if the big city still has friendly confines for the ‘Kats.

4. Local College Football Fans

   If you’re like me and are a sicko for any college football game, you’re going to get your fill if you’re in Houston. I mean, look at week one…look at it!

   Thursday: SFA at Houston (Space City Stadium)

   Friday: UNLV at Sam Houston (Shell Energy Stadium)

   Saturday: Prairie View at Texas Southern (Shell Energy Stadium)

   It does that all season long. Soak it up, fellow Houston-based college football fans. We shall have nirvana this year.

LOSERS

1. East Texas Sam Houston Fans
   If you’re a resident of East Texas, going to Bowers sounds a lot better than braving the traffic and confusing parking. The good news is, once fans do make it down, they will have an incredible venue in which to watch the Bearkats this season.

2. Midweek Matchups

   Those Tuesday and Thursday games depend heavily on the students showing up and getting rowdy (and sometimes being just off kilter). I suspect the long drive to games means there will be less of that this year, although I do expect the school to arrange a sort of transportation to and from the game, similar to how they did with the bowl game a season ago.

3. Huntsville based businesses
   A reader pointed this one out and it bears mentioning. Local restaurants and businesses who thrive off of Sam Houston football games in the fall will be in for a tough go of it this year due to the lack of games being played in the Piney Woods. If you know of a business out there that you like, let’s make it a point to support them this summer!

   What do YOU think? Is the move to Shell Energy a good idea? Comment below!