The difference in the experience at a Houston Dynamo game compared to any other sporting experience in town is our supporters. For 90 minutes, they sing, scream and dance, providing the pulse that rings throughout BBVA Compass Stadium.
Since the team’s move to its downtown stadium, the supporters groups—Brickwall Firm, El Batallon, and Texian Army—have called the three sections in the southeast corner of the lower bowl home. Today, the Dynamo and its supporters announced that they will be moving the new “Zona Naranja” in sections 215-17 on the north end of the stadium.
“The new location and size of the upcoming supporters’ section enables us to grow by addressing a couple of major issues: size of the area and ability to be more inclusive to those that wish to participate in vocal support that previously required a season ticket or special wristband,” said El Batallon member Manolo Gutierrez. “Being able to fit more enthusiastic fans that want to be vocal and unified will help us to be louder, stronger and push the team forward when it needs a push—as well as more intimidating to opposing teams and throw them off their game.
In their current position, the supporters have maxed out their available space. The new location allows an immediate growth opportunity for the groups, and opens up the ability to create a substantially larger supporters’ section in 2017 and beyond, allowing them to impact the game as only they can.
“The supporters are a huge part of any game,” Dynamo forward Will Bruin said. “They can change a game in an instant. The more energy from the supporters motivates the team beyond belief and helps raise the play for sure.”
Bruin and Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric, as well as Dynamo legends Wade Barrett, Brian Ching, and Eddie Robinson, were involved in discussions between representatives from the supporters’ groups and Dynamo front office as they looked for ways to grow the groups’ presence within BBVA Compass Stadium. The move comes with the support of group leaders and the front office.
One of the drawbacks of the original supporters’ sections was that space dictated that only full season tickets could be sold in those areas. There wasn’t enough room for individuals to visit the section on a limited basis to find out if the supporters’ section was the right fit for them. With the move, the Dynamo will be able to sell partial season tickets and special individual gameday tickets in addition to full season seats.
In addition to providing space for more members, the new sections will also provide a better space for supporters to celebrate the game with a dedicated area for instruments and more room to create incredible tifo displays, as has already been demonstrated by supporters groups for international matches in Houston.
“We plan on taking full advantage of the new location and size by being more inclusive to those fans which want to partake in vocal support,” Gutierrez said. “We also want to take advantage of our new space by bringing in more vibrant and large visual forms of support, such as banners, tifo, verticals, etc.”
Supporters will also have access to the Bud Deck before, during, and after games as an easy access meeting area, complete with a variety of beer selections and special beer prices pre and post game.
The end goal is to situate the supporters in a prominent place to lead the entire stadium in passionate support of the Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium, and to provide an experience unlike any other.
