With the 2016 NFL season set to begin Thursday, September 8, 2016, it’s hard not to get excited about this year’s host city for Super Bowl LI-Houston, Texas! As training camps around the country are preparing its players for what’s sure to be another banner season, Houston is preparing to highlight its city for the biggest game of the year. This will be the third time Houston is host to the Super Bowl with previous games being held here for Super Bowl VIII in 1974 and Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.
Sonia Ramirez
Things to Do
Next Super Bowl is Coming to a Texas Town Near You
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Super Bowl History
Photo: Sonia Ramirez
This will be the 97th season in the history of the National Football League (NFL), according to Wikipedia.com. The stage is being set to highlight the best of Houston for the thralls of fans and visitors that will take over Houston the days leading up to Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, at NRG Stadium.
City improvements include new hotels, restaurants and downtown is in the process of getting a facelift complete with artistic installations and areas for fans to hang out and take in the experience. Discovery Green, Houston’s beautifully landscaped urban park in the heart of downtown, will be the center of live entertainment and activities.
Not only will the city take center stage, but housuperbowl.com, the website dedicated to all things Super Bowl LI, are sharing the stories of Super Bowl Heroes. “There are 118 players who grew up in Houston and Southeast Texas that have gone on to play in the Super Bowl, with at least one player from the area competing in 48 of the last 50 Super Bowls,” shared their website.
Host Committee
Such a production could not take place without a centralized plan in place. The Houston Super Bowl Host Committee is the entity charged with acting as the liaison between the NFL, City of Houston, Harris County and the local community, states its website. “The Host Committee is a private non-profit 501(c)(6) Texas corporation, and is responsible for Super Bowl LI festivities and logistics.” Below are a few features that give the community and businesses opportunities to partner together as mentioned by its website:
Touchdown Houston – “Touchdown Houston is designed to lead Houston into the end zone by providing a positive impact in the community long after Super Bowl LI. With the NFL Foundation kicking in $1 Million, Touchdown Houston will donate $4 Million in grants to nonprofit organizations in the Houston area with a focus on three life-changing avenues of giving: Education, Health & Wellness, and Community Enhancement.”
Sponsorship Opportunities – As a sponsor, you and your company will help the Host Committee to achieve goals such as “host unique and memorable Host Committee events throughout the Houston region and invest in community enhancements.”
Volunteer Opportunities – Up to 10,000 volunteers will be recruited to help this be the best event experience for the millions of visitors to the city. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only represent Houston’s but be a part of Super Bowl festivities.
Festivities
Photo: Sonia Ramirez
What would a Super Bowl be without a party? Not only will the city be decked out and on display but the Host Committee has named the party-“Super Bowl LIVE.” “The festival, a free event with music, food, games and attractions, will be located in and around Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston,” states its website.
In anticipation of the game several countdown clocks have been situated around the city to count the days left until Super Bowl LI. An ingenious way to get the whole city excited and involved. Previous clocks are located at NRG Stadium, on JFK Boulevard near Bush Intercontinental Airport, and inside the main terminal at Hobby Airport, as mentioned by its website. Show your Texas pride and make plans to visit Houston and take in the sights and sounds of Super Bowl LI!
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