HOUSTON (Dec. 19, 2025) – Shell Energy Stadium today announced an impactful partnership with BEST Crowd Management that will significantly enhance the matchday experience for fans in relation to event security and guest services. This is the latest in a series of stadium investments by Houston Dynamo Football Club majority owner Ted Segal that were first announced in October.
For decades, BEST Crowd Management has been a trusted partner for world-class security and crowd management solutions and serves other prestigious partners, including major stadiums, professional sports teams, college sports teams, concert venues and convention centers across North America. The company is known for ensuring safety and success at every event they serve, making gatherings unforgettable and secure.
Along with serving as the home for Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash, Shell Energy Stadium hosts a variety of sporting and entertainment events throughout the year, including international soccer, professional football (Houston Gamblers), college football (Texas Southern University) and concerts.
In addition, all BEST employees will undergo MoonShot training to engage Shell Energy Stadium’s front-line team to become brand ambassadors that deliver memorable experiences for all guests that walk through the gates.
“We are thrilled to join forces with BEST Crowd Management as we continue to deliver on our commitment to make Shell Energy Stadium a reflection of Houston – welcoming, world-class and designed for everyone to enjoy,” said Shaun Johnson, General Manager of Facility Operations. “Our venue hosts a wide range of events around the clock and throughout the calendar year, and we are confident that this partnership will provide top-class service to enhance 24/7 security, event security and guest services.”
Located in the heart of East Downtown (EaDo), Shell Energy Stadium will be adjacent to the city’s FIFA Fan Festival during this summers highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 26. The stadium will transform into a vibrant hub for fans during the tournament, with in-stadium watch parties, interactive activations and premium hospitality throughout the tournament. Additional experiences will highlight Dynamo players, coaches, Club legends and Diesel the Fox.
"Shell Energy Stadium is committed to elevating the fan experience, and we’re proud to support that vision with a best-in-class approach to safety, service, and professionalism," said Jeff Spoerndle, Chief Operating Officer of BEST Crowd Management. "With our experience supporting major national events and MLS venues across the country, our team in Houston is ready to deliver an intentional, welcoming experience for every guest who walks through the gates. It’s an honor to support this venue, and we look forward to sharing in their commitment to making every fan’s experience positive, memorable, and safe."
In October, the Club announced a series of fan-focused upgrades coming to Shell Energy Stadium, marking the latest phase of ongoing improvements made under Segal. The newest round of investments will significantly enhance the event day experience through advanced technology, upgraded comfort and improved venue efficiency.
These upgrades build on over $30M of improvements already made to Shell Energy Stadium since Segal’s acquisition of majority ownership in 2021, including new mesh seating throughout the venue, the introduction of the Regions Bank Club and new pitchside seating that have transformed the fan and premium experience.
The enhancements, set to debut in February, include:
- Frictionless entry through Evolv Technology, already used by many top sports and entertainment venues nationwide, will allow guests to enter the stadium seamlessly, reducing wait times and improving the overall arrival experience, especially at the high-traffic Shell Energy Gate.
- A full-scale overhaul of the stadium’s sound system, featuring an all-new public address and audio network designed to deliver consistent, high-quality sound throughout every seat in the venue. The comprehensive sound system upgrade will replace the venue’s original PA infrastructure, providing fans with a more immersive and reliable experience during matches, concerts and community events.
- Expanded airflow in the seating bowl with an increase in the number of large overhead fans in the 200-level areas, providing more comfortable in-seat experiences for guests during Houston’s warmest months. This expansion of the overhead fan system across both the east and west upper concourses will dramatically improve airflow and temperature control for guests in the 200 levels, addressing one of the most frequent pieces of fan feedback.
These updates are part of a broader commitment by the Club to continually elevate Shell Energy Stadium as a premier sports and entertainment destination and the home of professional soccer in Houston. Ongoing efforts to improve the premium experience inside the luxury suites, all-inclusive clubs and group hospitality spaces for events and private rentals ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are also underway.
The Dynamo recently announced their 2026 regular season schedule, and individual match tickets and Season Ticket Memberships are now available HERE. The Dash will announce their schedule early next year.
About the Houston Dynamo Football Club
The Houston Dynamo Football Club is a multi-faceted organization that includes the Houston Dynamo, Houston Dash, Houston Dynamo Academy, Club affiliates, and the Club’s supporters. Ted Segal acquired a majority ownership interest in HDFC in June 2021 and serves as the chairman of the Club. Under his leadership the organization completed a multi-million-dollar renovation of Shell Energy Stadium in March 2023, and the Club moved into a 27,000 square foot headquarters in East Downtown in July 2023. The Dynamo are a Major League Soccer team that has won two MLS Cup championships, two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and four conference championships in its first 17 seasons and has qualified to represent the United States in international competition eight times. The Dynamo have advanced to the Conference Championship series eight times in 20 years, and the Club has reached four appearances in the MLS Cup Final during that time span. The Houston Dash joined the Houston Dynamo Football Club on Dec. 12, 2013, as the first expansion team of the National Women’s Soccer League. The NWSL is the top-flight women’s professional soccer league in North America, featuring many of the top players from the United States and Canada, as well as talent from around the world. The Dash began play in April 2014 for the start of the league’s second season. The Dash captured their first league trophy, the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, on July 26, 2020. The teams train at Houston Sports Park (HSP), the premier training facility in Southeast Texas, and play at Shell Energy Stadium in downtown Houston. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamoFC.com or call (713) 276-7500.
About BEST Crowd Management
BEST Crowd Management offers decades of experience providing world-class security solutions and staffing for crowd management solutions with partners including some of North America's largest stadiums, professional sports teams, college sports teams, major concert venues, and convention centers. With headquarters in Minneapolis, MN and in Montreal, Canada, BEST Crowd Management is part of GardaWorld Security, a global champion and leader in security services. For more information, visit: best.garda.com.
