ready for some football

College Football Championship weekend kicks off in Houston with free concerts and more

America's eyes will be on Texas on Monday, January 8, as Hosts hosts the College Football Playoff National Championship game at NRG Stadium, broadcast live on ESPN.

The game sees No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines — who bested Alabama in the Rose Bowl — face off with the No. 2-ranked Washington Huskies, who just broke UT fans' hearts after beating the Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.

Swarms of Wolverines and Huskies fans will hit Houston for Monday's championship game, and it's preceded by a jam-packed weekend of events — most of which are free.

Downtown Houston has been dubbed Championship Campus for the big weekend activities: Playoff Fan Central, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, the Trophy Trot 5K and 10K, Taste of the Championship, and the Allstate Championship Tailgate.

Note: CultureMap readers who use rideshare service Alto can score $10 off two rides through Monday night. Use code CHAMPIONSHIP when booking an Alto trip online.

Here's the playbook for all the fun starting Friday, January 5:

Playoff Fan Central: Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 at the George R. Brown Convention Center
The free, three-day, family-friendly activities kick off at noon on Friday. Expect games, serious athletic drills, autograph signings, cool activations, youth sports clinics, pep rallies, photo opps, and special exhibits celebrating all things college football.

Arrive early (9 am) on Saturday for Media Day. Fans get free access as Michigan and Washington coaches and players are interviewed; fans can listen in with mini radios supplied at the program.

It's not just the football teams facing off: The Michigan and Washington bands will perform on Sunday at 2 pm and 3 pm, respectively, for what promises to be a super sonic showdown.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!: Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 at Shell Energy Stadium
Event organizers have secured musical talent that demands top-dollar tickets — for free. These AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! free concerts get the energy pumping, starting with Kidz Bop on Friday.

Rap and hip-hop fans should be ready to line up for rap stars Jack Harlow, the pride of Kentucky rap who's making waves with his new VR concert experience. Two-time Grammy nominee Latto (many remember her as the star of The Rap Game reality show) also takes the stage on Saturday. They'll be joined by towering (he's 6'5) Georgia rapper 2 Chainz, a former college athlete himself who hooped for Alabama State University.

Sunday gets country with Grand Ole Opry member/crooner Jon Pardi, who just revealed he's sober and is a refreshing country throwback. Handsome star singer-songwriter (and passionate golfer) Jake Owen is also on the bill, as is multi-platinum country artist-songwriter Megan Moroney, a rising, charismatic star.

Fans must register for concert tickets online in advance, show the QR code via the CFBPlayoff mobile app at the convention center, and secure a wristband for entry to all shows except Kidz Bop on Friday.

Trophy Trot: Sunday, January 7 downtown
Get that pre-game cardio in with a family-friendly run/walk starting at 9 am. New this year, participants can compete in both 5K and 10K distances. Each Trophy Trot participant receives a T-shirt and medal, with numerous chances to win tickets to the CFP National Championship game the next day. Registration is open now. All proceeds benefit Extra Yard for Teachers, the College Football Playoff Foundation's nonprofit that inspires and empowers quality teachers.

Taste of the Championship: Sunday, January 7 at Union Station in Minute Maid Park
This premium dining experience and fundraising event boasts a veritable gourmet feast from an all-star roster of chefs and more than 30 restaurants. Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd will host, backed up by Louisiana-based party band The Phunky Monkeys. All proceeds benefit the CFP Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers platform. Find tickets here.

Allstate Championship Tailgate: Monday, January 8 at NRG Stadium
What's a big-time football game without a tailgate? Fans with a ticket to Monday's showdown should head to Blue Lots 16, 17, and 18 starting at 11 am. This tailgate features interactive games, activations, concessions, award-winning musical acts, live performances by each team’s marching band, and a chance to watch the live ESPN broadcasts.

Again: Fans must present a national championship game ticket for entry to the Allstate Championship Tailgate.

Stay on top of all the action and updates at Championship Campus online and follow @CFBPlayoff on social media.

College Football Playoff National Championship 2024 Houston trophy

Photo courtesy of College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game will kick off with a weekend of free events.

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Hotel News

Hotel Indigo chain debuts new property on Las Colinas' Mandalay Canal

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Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas

A new hotel has opened in Irving: The anticipated Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas, now open at 455 E John W Carpenter Fwy, along the scenic Mandalay Canal.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas is owned and managed by Shreem Capital, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm that specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of opportunistic and trendsetting hotel properties.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas is part of InterContinental Hotels Group and represents the third Indigo hotel in DFW, following one downtown Dallas and another that opened in Frisco in WHEN.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Clinas has the following elements:

151 rooms
5,300-plus square feet of event space
a fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise machines
two on-site restaurants
an infinity pool

Design
Crafted by Studio 11 Design, Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas stands as a tribute to the legacy of the Carpenter family, whose influence resonates throughout the hotel’s interior spaces.

The rooms feature dynamic lighting, soft curves, textures that celebrate the original landscape.

The design also pays homage to European artistry, with: tile patterns reminiscent of classic styles and a layout that draws parallels to the meandering waterways of Italy.

Accommodations
The 151 guest rooms feature plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring, spa-inspired showers, workstations, coffee makers, mini-fridges, laptop safes, and a 55-inch flat-screen smart TV with cable for streaming entertainment. Bathrooms feature glass-enclosed spa-like showers and Zenology bath products.

The Presidential Hospitality Suites and Executive Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Mandalay Canal and wrap-around balconies. The Presidential Suites can expand into a three-bedroom accommodation with connecting rooms, and the Executive Suites can become a two-bedroom retreat.

Food & Beverage
There are four food & beverage destinations at the hotel:

Kleo is the main restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Nicolas Linardi of modern Mediterranean menu food that includes sabream with matbucha and saffron rice; Grecian Chicken, with oregano, sumac, lemon, and tabbouleh; lamb meatballs with feta, mint, yogurt, and pine nuts; and Caesar salad with baby Romaine wedge, tahini Caesar dressing, tabbouleh, and crispy bulgur.
Kleo Patio has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that frame the Infinite Pool Garden. This design allows diners to easily transition between indoor and outdoor experiences, enhancing the feel of dining immersed in nature.
Kleo Bar has a wrap-around layout and intimate lighting, serving cocktails like the signature Tzatziki Martini, a blend of dill-infused gin, blanc vermouth, cucumber, black lemon bitters; Turkish Fire Drill with vodka, Kahlua, and Turkish coffee; Forbidden Fruit with spiced apple bourbon, pomegranate juice, lemon, and star anise.
La Serie Lobby Café is a casual coffee and dessert shop with cappuccino, croissants, and Danish.

Fitness & Wellness
A 1,100-square-foot fitness center has elliptical machines, free weights, stair stepper machines, stationary bicycles, and treadmills, with large windows that fill the space with natural light.

Meetings & Events
Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas has indoor and outdoor event space that can accommodate gatherings of up to 300. There's a 3,100-square-foot upscale ballroom; and a smaller boardroom.

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