Photo courtesy of College Football Playoff
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In January 2024, Houston will become a hotbed for sports fans when it hosts the College Football Playoff National Championship weekend, with the big game happening on January 8.
Downtown Houston will serve as the heart of Championship Campus, providing the setting for such CFP signature events as Playoff Fan Central, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, the Trophy Trot 5K and 10K, Taste of the Championship, and the Allstate Championship Tailgate.
It's a lot to take in — we break down each event for you here:
Playoff Fan Central, January 5-7
George R. Brown Convention Center
Find free football fun with games, clinics, pep rallies, band performances, special guest appearances, autograph signings, and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. And we mentioned it's all free, right?
AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, January 5-7
Shell Energy Stadium
These free concerts are the soundtrack for championship weekend, beginning with Kidz Bop on Friday, January 5. You don't need a wristband for that concert, but you do for the rest: rap superstar Jack Harlow, two-time Grammy nominee Latto, Grand Ole Opry member Jon Pardi, chart topping country superstar Jake Owen, and multi-platinum country artist-songwriter Megan Moroney.
Register for concert tickets online in advance, show the QR code on the CFBPlayoff mobile app at the convention center, and receive your wristband for entry.
Trophy Trot, January 7
Downtown Houston
This family-friendly run/walk begins at 9 am and, for the first time, will feature both 5K and 10K distances. Each Trophy Trot participant receives a T-shirt and medal, and there will be multiple opportunities to win tickets to the CFP National Championship the next day.
All proceeds benefit Extra Yard for Teachers, the College Football Playoff Foundation's primary platform that elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering quality teachers. Registration is open now.
Taste of the Championship, January 7
Union Station at Minute Maid Park
A premium dining experience and fundraising event that lets attendees indulge in gourmet food and drink prepared by Houston chefs. All proceeds benefit the CFP Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers platform, and tickets are on sale now.
Allstate Championship Tailgate, January 8
NRG Stadium
If you're lucky enough to score a game ticket, head to Blue Lots 16, 17, and 18 from 11 am-6 pm for interactive games, sponsor activations, concessions, live ESPN broadcasts, award-winning musical acts, and live performances by each team’s marching band.
We'll say it again: A national championship game ticket is required for entry to Allstate Championship Tailgate.
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Keep an eye on Championship Campus online for news and updates.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.