Texas Southern University’s football team is set to play five of its 2026 home games at Thorne Stadium, a recently renovated high school venue that seats roughly 10,000 fans. The arrangement reflects a pragmatic approach to scheduling, allowing the program to host marquee matchups in larger facilities while maintaining a foothold on campus.
Unconventional Home Fields
The sixth home game will be staged at Reliant Stadium, a venue more commonly associated with professional football, due to prior scheduling conflicts that displaced earlier games from Shell Energy Stadium. This fluid use of locations underscores the program’s adaptability, but it also raises questions about tradition and fan expectations.
Cris Dishman, the Tigers’ head coach and a former Houston Oilers cornerback, has entered his third season at the helm. He has repeatedly stated that the team’s focus is on winning games and developing talent rather than debating where those games are played. "Our priority is the field we’re on and the work we put in," Dishman said in a recent interview.
The 2025 season ended with a 6‑5 overall record and a 5‑3 mark within the Southwestern Athletic Conference, earning the team a preseason second‑team All‑SWAC selection for offensive lineman Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Roriyon Richardson and tight end Kordell Rodgers. Conference coaches and sports information directors projected the Tigers to finish fourth in the SWAC Western Division.
Looking Ahead
Beyond the immediate schedule, Texas Southern is investing heavily in its physical plant. A $1.7 billion campus renovation plan includes the construction of a new football stadium on the Third Ward campus, signaling a long‑term vision that pairs athletic ambition with academic growth. The university hopes the new facility will eventually provide a more traditional home field while preserving the flexibility that has characterized its recent campaigns.