As the Texans wrapped up preparations Friday for their game Sunday against the Raiders, many of their fans were focused on Tailgate-gate, the name coined by a radio talk host to describe the plans that will limit access to Reliant Stadium’s parking lots.
One Texans official said phone calls were running about 2-to-1 in favor of the policy, which makes Reliant Park off limits to fans without a game ticket or one of 2,000 tailgating passes that went on sale Friday for the next home game Oct. 10 against the Giants.
Conversation about the policy was the leading topic on sports radio talk shows, and the self-anointed commissioner of tailgating, who has proclaimed Houston’s tailgating atmosphere among the best in the NFL, said he was heartbroken by the restrictions.
The Texans said Thursday’s announcement was prompted by a gradual increase in the number of non-ticketed fans that began to build in earnest last year and culminated with 20,000 additional people jamming lots, streets and highways during the team’s game Sunday with the Cowboys.
