HOUSTON – Houston mayor John Whitmire and local officials laid out their safety and security plans for the College Football Playoff National Championship happening Monday at NRG Stadium.
Local leaders who joined Whitmire for the discussion Thursday included:
- Chief Sam Peña, Houston Fire Department
- Chief George Buenik, Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security and OEM
- Janis Burke, Harris County-Houston Sports Authority
- Houston METRO/PD Representative Ellis Stafford, NRG Park
Finner said officers will be working in and out of uniform at the game in an effort to ramp up safety measures. He asked guests to be patient and take care of each other while maneuvering across the city for each event.
Below is a list of guidelines and policies that must be followed as officials work to ensure the CFP National Championship weekend will be enjoyable and safe for all.
Code of Conduct
Per NRG Park rules, all guests are subject to search before entry. Any guests intentionally possessing a prohibited item at NRG Stadium could result in denial of entry and/or ejection without refund, loss of ticket privileges for future games/events and/or possible arrest and prosecution, the College Football Playoff website says.
Behaviors and activities that may result in ejection from NRG Park include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Unsafe, aggressive or violent actions by guests
- Unruly, disorderly, disruptive or illegal behavior (e.g., fighting, taunting, throwing objects or threatening gestures).
- Profane or offensive language.
- Intoxication or other signs of impairment related to alcohol consumption or drug use.
- Disruption to or interference with the progress of an event.
- Failure to follow the instructions of NRG Park personnel, law enforcement or posted signage.
- Possession of illegal or prohibited items
- Ticket reselling
- Unauthorized solicitation, vending or distribution of promotional materials
- Destruction, defacing or damaging of NRG Park property
Anyone who violates these policies or local, state, or federal laws can be removed from the game without warning or refund (if applicable), and can face possible arrest and prosecution.
Contact information and important alerts
While in the City of Houston, guests are encouraged to sign up for event-specific safety notifications by texting CFPHouston to 888-777. The CFP has partnered with the city to share important information on traffic management, event protocols, and emergency alerts using this system. These alerts will only be sent during the national championship weekend. Guests are also encouraged to sign up for alerts at AlertHouston.com.
All staff at NRG Park are properly trained in all emergency preparedness procedures. Team members can help assist with evacuations, if necessary. Guests are also encouraged to report issues or concerns by texting 832-241-0202 with a brief description of the issue.
First aid
Guests in need of first aid assistance can immediately contact a member of the guest experience staff, the nearest usher or a stadium employee. EMTs will also be available on-site to respond to medical emergencies.
Tailgating safety guidelines
The College Football Playoff website has offered the following tailgating safety guidelines ahead of Monday’s game.
- Tailgating will be limited to the parking spot and space directly behind or in front of each vehicle, whichever is adjacent to the drive lane, but not blocking the lane. You may not tailgate beyond the blue lines marked in the drive lane.
- For safety purposes, all tents, chairs, etc. must be put away before kickoff.
- Open flames are allowed, but guests must extinguish flames before entering NRG Stadium.
- The use of golf carts, bikes and scooters are strictly prohibited.
- You must park as directed by the parking attendants. Vehicles will be parked systematically, stall by stall, row by row, regardless of the occupancy status of the lot. Failure to park as directed can result in termination of your parking privileges.
- Blocking or saving parking spaces is prohibited. Fans who wish to tailgate together must arrive together.
- Fire extinguishers must be a minimum rating of 2-A:10-B:C and must be fully charged and available at all times.
- Charcoal must be match-light or quick-light. Use of lighter fluid is strictly prohibited. Provide a metal pan under the BBQ pit to prevent ashes from falling onto the ground. Deposit coals in the orange containers provided.
- Keep the area clear of trash. Avoid allowing trash to accumulate around BBQ pits.
- Keep combustible materials at least 3 feet away from pits. People passing by should not be able to come in contact with the pit. Watch for children playing in the area. Do not leave burning pits unattended.
- Do not place hot pits or coals under vehicles. Allow time for pits to cool.
- The use of generators is allowed; however, fuel must be stored in (UL) approved metal safety cans with spring-loaded lid and flashback guard.
Alcohol policy
NRG Stadium follows the Texas state law that prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21. The following policies have been established to promote the responsible and safe use of alcohol:
- Guests must be 21 years of age or older and in possession of a valid government-issued I.D. (or non-expired passport for international guests) to purchase, handle and/or consume alcoholic beverages.
- Guests providing alcohol to minors will be ejected and subject to arrest.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Guests will be limited to a maximum of two (2) alcoholic beverages per purchase.
- Drunk and disorderly conduct or violation of any alcohol policy will result in ejection from the game without refund and the violator(s) may be subject to arrest.
- All alcohol sales will cease at the end of the third quarter.
- Alcohol purchased at Allstate Championship Tailgate will be allowed in NRG Stadium. No other outside alcohol can be brought into NRG Stadium.
- Stadium management and the CFP reserve the right to change policies or procedures at any time without notice.
Clear Bag Policy
A Clear Bag Policy will be enforced at the game. Guests are allowed to carry one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag that does not exceed the dimensions 12″x 6″x12″ or a one-gallon size clear plastic storage bag. This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear cinch bags that fit within the permissible dimensions. Fans may also carry in a small clutch bag, which cannot exceed 4.5″x 6.5″ in size, with or without a handle or strap.
Prohibited items at NRG Park
The following is a list of prohibited items at NRG Park.
- Any clear bag larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or that does not comply with the Clear Bag Policy
- Hard-sided containers or coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases
- Outside food and drink
- Glass, cans, aluminum bottles, or thermoses of any kind
- Alcoholic beverages
- Binoculars
- Laser pens/pointers
- Video cameras or mono/tripods (no spectator cameras with lenses over three inches long will be permitted), audio recorders
- Laptop computers
- Large umbrellas that do not fit underneath your seat
- Firearms, knives or weapons of any kind
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Sealed packages of any kind
- Banners or signs larger than 3′ x 5′, no battery-operated signs of any size
- Flags on poles or staffs
- Televisions
- Animals (except service animals to aid persons with disabilities)
- Air horns, whistles, bells, vuvuzelas or other distracting noisemakers
- Any devices that may interfere with and/or distract any sports or event participant, other guests, audio or audio/visual telecast or recording of the game or event, or any technology-related service provided in the stadium
- Projectiles (examples include, but not limited to, frisbees, beach balls, footballs, other inflatable objects)
- Aerosol cans (examples include, but not limited to, mace, pepper spray, hairspray)
- Fireworks, explosives, smoke bombs, confetti or glitter
- Obscene or indecent clothing
- Balloons
- UAVs, Drones
- Use of wheeled footwear, skateboards, scooters, bicycles and hoverboards
- Lawn chairs or camping chairs
- Stickers, pamphlets, solicitation materials of any kind