Houston Dynamo To Launch New Family Section

Starting this season, the Houston Dynamo will offer a new, family-friendly section BBVA Compass Stadium thanks to a new partnership with Texas Health Children’s Plan.

The section will be located in the southwest corner of the stadium in Section 201. Some of the benefits will include regular visits from Dynamo mascot Dynamo Diesel and a $20 ticket coupon offer for Texas Children’s Health Plan members.

But perhaps the most intriguing part of this new section is the fact that children under the age of 10 will be able to get their season tickets at half the cost of an adult ticket. If your ultimate goal is to grow a sustainable fan base, then giving parents the opportunity to purchase their child’s ticket for 50% off seems like a good place start. I can’t think of any other major league teams that offer such a plan.

The timing of this news is interesting considering a survey from ESPN’s Rich Luker back in September that found that in 2011 13.7% young adults ages 12-18 named “Pro Soccer” as their favorite sport; second only to the NFL. Granted, “Pro Soccer” doesn’t reference just MLS but the survey also goes on to report that of that 13.7% of young adults, 7% considered themselves “avid” fans.

While the offer is for children 10 and under, it seems Houston are trying to be proactive and help grow those numbers from the survey even more. It will be interesting to see the numbers for the section at the end of the season and whether or not other MLS teams will follow suit with a similar offer.

Visit here for more information about the new section.