August 11, 2026

Football

LONE STAR SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES RELIANT STADIUM AS HOST FOR TEXAS SOUTHERN VS. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ON OCTOBER 24

HOUSTON – Reliant Stadium is set to host Texas Southern University’s homecoming game against Southern University at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 24, as announced today by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment.

The Week 8 matchup marks the 19th contest between the two Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) rivals. Texas Southern won the most recent matchup between the two universities, 35-30. 

Texas Southern enters the 2026 football season off its first winning season since 2000 under Head Coach, and former NFL player, Cris Dishman. The team finished with a record of 6-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play. They recorded wins over Mississippi Valley State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State, Virginia University of Lynchburg, Southern University and Alabama A&M. 

Southern begins the 2026 football season under a new head coach after hiring Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk on Dec. 1, 2025. Southern finished the 2025 season with a record of 2-10 after recording back-to-back winning seasons in 2023 (6-5) and 2024 (8-5). 

“We’re proud to host Texas Southern and Southern University at Reliant Stadium for one of the most meaningful matchups in HBCU football,” said David Fletcher, General Manager of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. “The history and tradition associated with this game make it a special event for the participating institutions, their alumni, their supporters and the Houston community as a whole. We look forward to welcoming both programs and their fans to Reliant Stadium this fall for what promises to be a memorable event.” 

“This matchup represents far more than a football game,” said Texas Southern University Interim Vice President of Athletics Dr. Paula L. Jackson. “It brings together two historic institutions whose impact extends across academics, culture, leadership and athletics. The teams, bands, cheerleaders, alumni and diehard fans all contribute to the pageantry and tradition that make the Texas Southern-Southern rivalry so special, and we are excited to bring that entire HBCU experience to an NFL stage. This year’s game carries even greater significance as Texas Southern celebrates Homecoming and former NFL standouts Coach Cris Dishman and Coach Marshall Faulk meet for the first time as head coaches. With so much history, pride and energy coming together, this promises to be a memorable occasion for both universities and an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. Now that tickets are available, we encourage Tiger Nation, Jaguar Nation and HBCU football fans everywhere to secure their seats early and be part of this historic celebration. This is one you don’t want to miss!” 

For more information about the game, visit www.lsse.net. To purchase tickets, click here. 

ABOUT LONE STAR SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is Houston’s premier sports and entertainment promoter and a sister company to the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding in 2003, LSSE has produced some of the country’s biggest events, from annual college football games such as the Kinder’s Texas Bowl and Texas Kickoff to major concerts, festivals and international soccer matches. This includes the 2026 World Cup, a U.S.-record eighth edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup, including the 2025 Final, Copa America Centenario in 2016, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, United States and Mexican National Team friendlies, the 2023 Soccer Champions Tour featuring Real Madrid vs. Manchester United, numerous major European and Mexican club team friendlies, the Copa de Lone Star and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024. For more information on our experience and expertise in event production, event management and consulting, visit www.lsse.net.