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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Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez is going on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right hand.
The issue had caused the three-time All-Star to miss the last two games of the Astros’ weekend series with the Chicago White Sox. The move, announced before the Astros' Monday night game at Milwaukee, is retroactive to Saturday.
Houston recalled catcher César Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.
Alvarez, 27, has batted .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. That follows a 2024 season in which he batted. 308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games while earning a third straight All-Star Game selection and finishing ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player voting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 each of the past three seasons and ranked fourth in the AL in that category last year.
Salazar, 26, was hitting .197 with a .305 on-base percentage, two homers and seven RBIs in 21 games for Sugar Land. He hit .320 with a .387 on-base percentage, no homers and eight RBIs in 12 games with Houston last year.