THE TAILGATE
Here's how you can attend Houston's most anticipated sports and food event
Sep 6, 2023, 8:33 am
Haley Fahrenthold, Jackie Heston, Grace Ryan, and Peyton Ross at the 2022 Tailgate event. Photo by Emily Jaschke
As anyone who’s rolled up to NRG Stadium before dawn with brisket, beer, and gameday gear ready to go knows, Houston tailgating isn’t for rookies.
With that in mind, CultureMap and SportsMap are teaming up to celebrate the return of the big fall sports season with The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to our favorite sports pastime, which debuted as a smash-hit event last year.
It all goes down on Wednesday, October 25 at Silver Street Studios, and tickets are already on sale.
Tailgaters can look forward to sports-inspired bites from favorite local restaurants, premium cocktails, coveted memorabilia from Texas legends, and plenty of game-day fun at this signature event, which shows major league love for the MVP fans who cheer them on.
Favorite Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for you to sample and vote for your favorite. Participants include (with more restaurants to be announced):
- FM Kitchen
- Wild Concepts
- Aiko
- Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen
- Cobos
- Twin Peaks
- Quad HTX
- Patterson Park
- Maple Leaf Pub
- The Phoenix on Westheimer
- Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
- The Waffle Bus
- d'Alba Craft Kitchen and Cocktails
As a new twist this year, readers will get to vote for their favorite local sports bar in our Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown. Think of this as sort of like the Sweet 16, where local champs face off in an online tournament. The winner will be revealed at the party.
The event also will shine a spotlight on sports-related nonprofits and give you the chance to pitch in and make a difference for the causes they champion. You'll get to learn more about Dynamo and Dash Charities, Houston Texans Foundation, and more nonprofit partners to be announced.
We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $35 for general admission (regularly $50) and $60 for VIP (regularly $75).
All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets get you one-hour early entry, a dedicated VIP bar, and more perks for an elevated experience.
Head here to buy your tickets now.
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The Tailgate is sponsored by Bud Light, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, Cutwater Spirits, 1800 Tequila, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and more to be announced.
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Jun 12, 2025, 3:59 pm
The Houston Astros (37-30) aim to close out their series against the Chicago White Sox (23-45) on a high note Thursday night at Daikin Park. The three-game set is currently tied 1-1, and with a chance to secure their 11th series win at home, the Astros will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) has quietly been one of the most consistent arms in the American League. Known for his heavy sinker and ground-ball inducing style, he enters the night with a stellar 1.06 WHIP and 84 strikeouts. With the Astros bullpen having absorbed some heavy usage earlier this week, Valdez will be counted on to give Houston quality length.
Opposing him will be right-hander Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62 ERA), who has pitched better than his win-loss record suggests. Martin has maintained a 1.21 WHIP and will try to quiet an Astros lineup that broke out for 10 runs in Wednesday’s win.
Houston’s offense has been led lately by Jeremy Peña, who is batting .439 over his last 10 games with five doubles, two homers, and six RBIs. Isaac Paredes continues to be a steady power threat, leading the team with 14 home runs and a .468 slugging percentage. José Altuve, fresh off his 2,300th career hit, adds veteran stability to the top of the order.
The Astros are 23-13 at home this season and have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. When they avoid giving up home runs, they win — as shown by their 20-4 record in games where they keep the ball in the yard. That will be a key Thursday against a White Sox team that’s light on power but capable of grinding out runs when they out-hit opponents (16-9 when doing so).
Chicago, meanwhile, has struggled mightily on the road, going just 7-27 away from Guaranteed Rate Field. Still, they’ve had unexpected success against the Astros this season, winning three of the first five matchups. Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman have been among the few bright spots in a lineup that’s hit just .227 over its last 10 games and been outscored by six runs.
With the series on the line and the division-leading Astros looking to stay hot, Thursday night offers a chance to assert their edge with a trusted ace on the hill and momentum building in the lineup.
Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for the finale!
For the series.
⚾️: 7:10 PM
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/WsXWQV4ZkI
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Christian Walker remains in the five spot after his big night in Game 2. Victor Caratini will be the DH hitting seventh behind Jake Meyers. Jose Altuve is shifting back to left field, with Jacob Melton getting the night off. And Brendan Rodgers will hit last and play second base.
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