Houston football extravaganza: Your ultimate guide to the 2024 CFP National Championship weekend 🏈

There’s so much going on, from awesome concerts to tasty events, all building up to the big game!

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 09: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy sits on the field before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the TCU Horned Frogs held at SoFi Stadium on January 9, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) (Jamie Schwaberow, 2023 Jamie Schwaberow)

Houston is gearing up for an extensive four-day celebration of college football. Tens of thousands of Houston residents and visitors from across the country are expected to attend the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship and the fan events leading up to the kickoff.

The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship will be decided at NRG Stadium on Jan. 8, but the excitement will commence on Jan. 5, with a myriad of festivities leading up to the big game. To help you navigate and make the most of this extended celebration, we’ve put together a guide detailing all the exciting events and activities planned, from pre-game fan engagements to food tasting events.

MORE: Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines to play for national title after stopping Alabama 27-20 in OT

Playoff Fan Central 🏈

Playoff Fan Central at the George R. Brown Convention Center is an interactive experience where football fans can dive into all the excitement of the College Football Playoff National Championship. The three-day, family-friendly event, held Friday through Sunday, will feature games, clinics, pep rallies, band performances, special guest appearances, autograph signings, and exhibits celebrating college football and its history.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! 🎶

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! is set to bring a weekend of free music to Houston, serving as the official soundtrack for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The first performance on the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! stage will take place on Jan. 5, featuring KIDZ BOP. The musical festivities will continue on Jan. 6, with performances by Jack Harlow, Latto, 2 Chainz, and Paul Russell. The final night, Jan. 7, will showcase Jon Pardi, Jake Owen, and Megan Moroney. Gates for AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will open at 6 p.m. each day at Shell Energy Stadium.

To attend the concerts, fans must pre-register for tickets on the CFBPlayoff mobile app and obtain a concert QR code, which can be exchanged for a wristband at the George R. Brown Convention Center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the day of the concert.

For more information, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com/ppl.

Trophy Trot 👟

The Trophy Trot is a family-friendly run/walk. The Trophy Trot will commence at 9 a.m. on Jan. 7, in downtown Houston and, for the first time, will offer both 5K and 10K distances. Each participant in the Trophy Trot will receive a t-shirt and medal, with multiple chances to win tickets to the CFP National Championship at Houston’s NRG Stadium on. All proceeds will support Extra Yard for Teachers, the primary platform of the College Football Playoff Foundation.

MORE: Michigan’s defense ready for CFP title game after rising up with Rose Bowl goal-line stand

Taste of the Championship 🍴

Featuring a restaurant lineup curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, Taste of the Championship will take place inside Union Station at Minute Maid Park from 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 7.

Tickets for the event are $350 per person and include all food and beverages served on site. To purchase tickets, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com/Taste.

Restaurants currently slated to participate in Taste of the Championship include: 93-Til, Blood Bros. BBQ, Brennan’s of Houston, Burger Bodega, Cali Sandwich & Pho, ChòpnBlok, Coltivare, Craft Pita, Crawfish & Noodles, Fluff Bake Bar, Frenchy’s Chicken, Fung’s Kitchen, Gatlin’s BBQ, Goodnight Hospitality, Josephine’s Gulf Coast Kitchen, Leaf & Grain, Little’s Oyster Bar, Maximo, Navy Blue, Phat Eatery, Pondicheri, Riel, Saigon Pagolac, State of Grace, Street 2 Kitchen, The Original Ninfa’s, The Toasted Coconut, The Waffle Bus, Truth BBQ and Winnie’s.

Allstate Championship Tailgate 🏈

The Allstate Championship Tailgate will serve as the gathering spot for fans seeking an elevated tailgating experience leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship. The event, open and free for all game ticket holders, will feature interactive games, sponsor activations, concessions, live ESPN broadcasts, and performances by each team’s marching band, along with country music artists Walker Hayes and Alli Walker. Entry to Allstate Championship Tailgate requires a national championship game ticket.

The tailgate will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday in Blue Lots 16, 17, and 18 at NRG Park.

MORE: Michael Penix Jr. leads No. 2 Washington to 37-31 victory over Texas and spot in national title game


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About the Author

Briana Zamora-Nipper joined the KPRC 2 digital team in 2019. When she’s not hard at work in the KPRC 2 newsroom, you can find Bri drinking away her hard earned wages at JuiceLand, running around Hermann Park, listening to crime podcasts or ransacking the magazine stand at Barnes & Noble.

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