HOUSTON – Sports teams and venues in the Houston area seem to be taking a cautious approach after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott decided to lift capacity limits and the mask mandate starting next week.
Here’s how sports teams are planning their seasons.
Astros
The Houston Astros open at Minute Maid Park in early April. According to an email sent to season ticket holders, fans will be welcomes back to the stadium in April but in limited numbers. The team said more information about that will be coming in a couple of weeks. Season ticket holders still have their tickets available and have several options to use them, change them, donate them or pause the account. For more information, season ticket holders can call 713-259-8300.
Rockets
The Houston Rockets have been letting in about 2,500 fans for their games at the Toyota Center. In a statement, Rockets CEO and President Tad Brown said there will be no changes to the current procedures.
“We follow the rules as agreed upon by the NBA and players union,” Brown said in the statement.
Brown said it’s too early to know whether concerts will resume at the Toyota Center.
Texans
There’s not as much urgency with the Houston Texans since the NFL season doesn’t begin for another six or seven months
Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo will open their season April 16, at BBVA Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes at 7 p.m. The team has a road game cheduled on April 24, against the Portland Timbers at 9:30 p.m. Central time.
The MLS and Dynamo will release the rest of the schedule later in March.
A limited number of fans will be allowed at the team’s home opener, targeting 30% capacity at BBVA Stadium.
High school sports
For high school sports, the University Interscholastic League said officials are still working to determine the best path forward.
“Please know UIL will be releasing updated guidance before this order takes effect,” officials said in a statement. “Until that information is released, all current UIL Covid-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines remain in place.”
The UIL’s guidelines currently limit capacity to 50% and require spectators to wear masks at all events.