A student of the University of Houston dresses as Spiderman, during the beginning of an NCAA football match between the Houston Cougars and the Oregon State Beavers, Saturday, September 5, 2026 in Houston, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
Houston is kicking off its season with a bang as the Cougars begin their season undefeated at home. With wins over Oregon State and Southern University, TDECU Stadium has become one of the top destinations for Houston football.
The stadium has undergone some major reorganization this past offseason and many fans are experiencing some major improvements from the past few years. While some changes may be smaller than others, Houston has put in a lot of time and effort when it comes to the evolution of the fan experience at TDECU.
When it comes to Houston’s home field advantage, what were some of the biggest changes that students have noticed throughout the first few games of the year?
What Changed?
Starting off with the student section, many changes were added when it comes to the environment of the stands. For starters, there have been two new sections to the 130 sections with a DJ above the stands. Not only did this impact the Houston home-field advantage, but it also allowed more noise in crucial moments when the Cougars needed support.
“The student section has become more active and present in these past games,” said junior Ivan Reynosa. “They’ve shown up for games and continue to cheer on every group that is also there to cheer the team like the Cougar Dolls, the Frontiersman, the cheer team, and the band.”
The beginning of the game also had some major theatrics, with a cherry red car leading out the Cougars onto the field. This is a major way to introduce the Cougars, but a very well-received one when it came to the fan experience.
“I really appreciate the slab (car) they bring out for the team intro,” said Houston senior Ryan Wayner. “Things are on the up and up atmosphere wise.”
When it came to the interaction with the team, many felt the new changes impacted the way fans can connect with the roster and the University.
“I have seen more fans interact with the team, especially in the student section,” said Houston junior Fernando Gonzalez. “But it’s not just the football team, as I feel that the spirit, band and mascots are receiving increased support from fans.”
However, some issues still popped up when it came to the home games, as some fans expressed concern about some missed opportunities or their experience in the stadium.
“I think attendance is the weakest part of our game day experience,” said Wayner while at the home opener against Oregon State. “It feels like we’re surrounded by a sea of burnt orange and maroon fans.”
There were also some major issues when it came to the times of the games, as some fans felt that the home opener was hosted too early in the day.
“I wish the games were held during a cooler time of day, but I know that’s out of the control of the university,” said Houston senior Zackary Danheim. “I think more people would come out if they weren’t afraid of sunburn and heatstroke.”
Overall, the biggest changes from the Cougars’ first few home games allowed more Houston fans to have some unforgettable memories. While there still seem to be some issues at home, fans have accepted the new changes with open arms. Not only will this be a brand new season for the Cougars, but it will also be a big new season for the fans.
sports@thedailycougar.com
