HARRIS COUNTY - HSA
Houston to host 2024 college football playoff national championship
Melanie Hauser
Nov 1, 2017, 3:53 pm
Melanie Hauser writes for The Harris County - Houston Sports Authority Check out the website here.
Harris County Houston Sports Authority Press Release
EMBARGOED UNTIL: Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 2:20 pm CONTACT: Jules Rice, Harris County – Houston Sports Authority jrice@houstonsports.org or 713-308-5918
Houston to Host 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship
The College Football Playoff (CFP) announced today that Houston will host the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2024. “Having hosted a Super Bowl and a World Series this year alone, and NCAA basketball playoffs and championships in recent years, Houston and Harris County are now uniquely prepared to play host to one of the nation’s most exciting and closely watched sports events – the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship,” said Harris County Judge Emmett. “So thank you to all the people who helped make this possible, and let the countdown to 2024 begin!” There are an anticipated 72,015 fans expected to attend the College Football Playoff National Championship, which will be held at NRG Stadium January 8, 2024. “It is a very exciting day for everyone in our community,” said Janis Burke, chief executive officer for the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. “This was truly a team effort, and we could not have secured this bid without the support of Harris County, the City of Houston, NRG Stadium and Houston First. We are looking forward to welcoming college football’s finest in 2024.” “There is no better city than Houston to host the 2024 CFP. Our world-class venues, hotels, restaurants, and citizens are ready to welcome fans from around the country for this premiere sporting event,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston. “Houston is one of the most venue-rich cities in the country with a great, modern stadium, multiple convention centers/arenas and a downtown park that will make for a terrific festival setting for our attendees,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP. “The community has demonstrated its mettle for college sports by hosting two outstanding Final Fours and very successful Super Bowls.” The CFP postseason determines the national champion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football in the United States. This will be the tenth national championship game of the CFP era. The first game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 12, 2015.
Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
CAM SMITH COMES THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Y6dtPpXF9J
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
FULL THROTTLE.
Hunter Brown now leads the MLB in lowest ERA (1.74). #BuiltForFuel pic.twitter.com/nkwT2MpgJQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!
🧹🧹🧹
After the @Astros completed their sweep of the Phillies, @JuliaMorales visited with Bryan Abreu!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/UeOOSNDKwW
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 26, 2025
Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Smith’s RBI.
Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).