Bearkats to Play 2025 Home Slate at Shell Energy Stadium

Photo courtesy of Sam Houston State Athletics

News broke on Monday, April 7th that the Sam Houston State Bearkats will play their entire home slate of football games during the 2025-26 season away from the venerable Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. The squad, which is coming off a stellar 10-3 campaign in their second season in Conference USA, will instead play all of their home games in Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium.

Thanks to Sam Houston’s move from the FCS level to the FBS for the 2023-24 season, the university and its athletics department knew that significant upgrades would be needed at Bowers Stadium in order to compete with the rest of the teams in Conference USA; that work will begin this year.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our program and our fans,” said Sam Houston Athletics Director Bobby Williams in a news release. “Playing at Shell Energy Stadium will provide a top-tier venue for our student-athletes to showcase their talent and for our fans to experience a dynamic, world-class atmosphere. We're grateful to Shell Energy Stadium for their partnership in bringing the Bearkats to Houston for the 2025 season.”

The Bearkats have played at Bowers Stadium since 1986, but they are no strangers to Shell Energy Stadium or to the city of Houston, as they have already played 47 games in Space City, including a game at Shell Energy Stadium in 2012.

“Playing in such a great stadium like Shell Energy Stadium with this team is an honor,” said incoming Bearkats Head Coach Phil Longo. “These guys have been working hard all off-season, and I can't wait to see what this team accomplishes in front of our Bearkat faithful, all decked out in their orange. The energy from our fans will make this an unforgettable season.”

Longo will take over a Sam Houston team that had its first winning season ever at the FBS level, seeing them earn their first bowl win as they defeated Georgia Southern in the 2024 New Orleans Bowl. Construction at Bowers Stadium, which includes expanding the press box area, began at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The decision to move the 2025 home slate to Houston will allow the Bearkats to offer expanded fan amenities and a full gameday experience, which would be virtually impossible in a reduced-capacity Bowers Stadium during the renovation process.

Shell Energy Stadium is located in the heart of downtown Houston, and currently serves as the home field for the Houston Dynamo FC of the MLS, the Houston Dash of the NWSL, and the FCS-competing Texas Southern Tigers. No word has been released yet on how the Bearkats’ move will impact the Tigers 2025-26 campaign.

“We look forward to hosting the Sam Houston State University community at Shell Energy Stadium for the upcoming football season while their venue undergoes renovations,” said Jessica O'Neill, Houston Dynamo Football Club President of Business Operations. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our home in East Downtown to a storied fan base with deep connections to the city of Houston. We invite students, alumni and future Bearkats to enjoy the Houston-inspired food and premium amenities of Shell Energy Stadium this fall.”