The Road to 26 series kicks off the Summer of Soccer in the region with an international friendly between the Argentina and Honduras national football teams in College Station on June 6. This is more than just a warm-up match, it’s a major moment for Texas soccer culture.
Get tickets now for this match in sections 120, row 40; section 121, row 37; or Section 348, rows 19-21 by contacting info@duranconcepts.com.
With Argentina bringing global attention, passionate supporters, and world-class talent to Aggieland, the match highlights how Texas continues to grow as a premier destination for international soccer.
According to KBTX3, the event “could generate $10 million in economic impact,” with Assistant Director of Tourism for the City of College Station Jeremiah Cook stating that number is on the minimum side, with the match expecting to draw more than 85,000 fans. A previous 2024 international match at Kyle Field, Mexico v. Brazil, paved the way for the City of College Station to financially invest in next month’s match.
For Honduras, the game offers a valuable opportunity to compete against one of the world’s elite programs while energizing its strong fanbase across the state. According to the Houston Chronicle, “tens of thousands [of Hondurans] have settled in and around Houston over the last decade-plus, making the Bayou City home to one of the largest Honduran communities in the country.” Hondurans could now be “the second-largest immigrant group in Harris County, roughly equal in population to Salvadorans.”
The friendly also serves as a preview of the excitement building ahead of the global tournament, when millions of fans will turn their attention to the United States, Mexico and Canada. Events like this showcase the power of soccer to connect cultures, unite communities, and generate economic and cultural impact far beyond the pitch.
For College Station, hosting a match of this magnitude places the city on the international soccer map during one of its slower months. The Mexico v. Brazil match in 2024 brought “an estimated over $21 million into the city,” according to KAG, and is part of a plan for the city’s tourism department. The match brings together fans, families, students, and visitors for a celebration of the global game right in the heart of Texas.
As the night went on, the lights came on, the music got louder, and the barrio showed up once again. Divine Art Coalition’s Futbolito en el Barrio isn’t just about goals and highlights…it is about community, culture, and bringing people together through the game we all love.
What makes Futbolito special is the atmosphere. The laughter and joy, the celebrations after every golazo, the music echoing through the pavilion, and the feeling that everyone belongs there.
In addition to the 1v1 panna tournament and freestyle exhibition, where @streetpanna, @groovyami, @zostyler, @zeinkhitamy, @c.qaddouri, @freestyle_jrd and others showed their moves. There also was a live mural painting, print gallery, raffle and silent auction to raise funds for the upcoming Futbolito Street Cup in June.
Duran Concepts was proud to be a sponsor and to witness yet another reminder that the barrio always wins when the community comes together.
See you at the next one. For sponsorship opportunities for the Futbolito Street Cup this summer, contact info@duranconcepts.com
L-R: Betirri, Marlen Esparza, Maria Duran – Photo Credit: Amy Tetzintla
It was an honor to have two Olympians and hometown athletes, Marlen Esparza and Emily Chan, join us virtually and in-person at the unveiling of the “Female Power” mural by Betirri.
Fans were able to meet Marlen and learn about her upcoming world title fight on June 19th.
We want to thank the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation for commissioning this powerful piece of public art and all the elected officials that came out to support art in our hometown.
Mayor Jeff Wagner, CM Thomas Schoenbein, CM-Elect Pat Van Houte, Pasadena ISD Trustee-Elect Paola Gonzalez Fusilier, and Pasadena ISD Trustee-Elect Crystal Davila.
We look forward to hosting more art + sports focused community events in the near future.
A special shout out to Bianca Bucaram of Bucaram PR Group for making this event a success with incredible media coverage.
Visit the mural & share your pictures on Instagram using #femalepower #pasadenaart & tag @artistbetirri @marlen_esparza & @duranconcepts
You’re invited to the unveiling of Betirri’s latest mural in Pasadena, TX. Learn the inspiration behind this mural and meet one of the featured athletes: Pasadena native, boxer and Olympic medalist Marlen Esparza.This public art piece was commissioned by the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation
Due to COVID guidelines, we will have sanitizer & masks on hand. We ask you everyone to network responsibly at this outdoor event.
We want to thank Prospanica Houston for being an incredible partner on our first ArtFutbolHTX event of 2019. This event highlights our diversity and what Houston is known for: art, sports and networking at the hottest spots in town.
Together we kicked off the 2019 Houston Dynamo season, learned more about Prospanica’s programming for the year, and celebrated the latest mural by local visual artist Betirri. Pitch 25 Beer Park’s owner and former Dynamo player, Brian Ching, was in attendance for the signing of the mural he commissioned.
Guests enjoyed lite bites by the incredible kitchen staff at Pitch 25 as well as signature cocktails and beers from the impressive selection they have on tap. At the end of the night some guests won door prizes ranging from a limited edition Betirri designed & autographed shirt to tickets to upcoming Houston Dynamo and Gold Cup games.
LOOKING FOR AN ACTIVITY TO ENROLL YOUR KIDS DURING THE THANKSGIVING DAY BREAK? WE ARE HOSTING A 3 DAY SOCCER CAMP FOR KIDS 4-12YRS OLD.
The Thanksgiving Day Soccer Camp consists of 3 half days designed for beginners and experienced boys and girls ages 4-12. Campers are placed into their groups according to age & ability so as to have fun with young players while also teaching them the skills they need for improved soccer success.
DATES: Monday, November 19 – Wednesday, November 21
TIME: 9am-12pm
LOCATION: BakerRipley Cleveland Campus
ADDRESS: 720 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77504
*** To register call 713.944.9186 or in person at Cleveland Ripley
What is included with the camp fee?
Camp Shirt (One of four colors)
Lunch
Drinks & Snack
Player Evaluation
Indoor or Outdoor? The majority of the camp day will be outside, but some activities may rotate inside for an indoor experience, also contingent on weather. Campers will have frequent breaks.
How are players grouped? We start with the age of the player and after a quick evaluation, we can move them to a group that will challenge them.
Campers Should Bring
Flat Surfaced Shoes (cleats can be worn on the grass surfaces, but not indoor – bring both in case of weather)
Reusable Water Bottle
Shin Guards
Techniques Covered During Camp
Each day the coaches will take the players through an age appropriate progressive series of fun skill building practices from unopposed, to opposed, game related and finally into a game.
Soccer ABC – Players will improve their Agility, Balance and Coordination.
Dribbling – improve the ability to change direction and move at speed.
Passing – improve accuracy, pace and 1st touch control.
Shooting – improve power and placement with each foot.
Defending – improve defending skills and learn how to defend.
Games – play actual games in small sided environments using the skills learned above.
Laura Velasquez, Owner of SoccerChick; Maria Duran of Duran Concepts LLC; Betirri; Lawrence Barajas | photo credit: Espriella Fifi
Road to Russia: art+fashion show was a success! Yesterday over 150 guests filled the Heineken Star Bar at BBVA Compass Stadium for the second installment of the Road to… event series. Visual artist Betirri exhibited selected art pieces from his collection and SoccerChick by Laura Velasquez presented the new Spring 2018 line.
The event benefited EGMN (El Gato Media Network), a non-profit that provides career development services for underserved students looking to enter media, and guests had the opportunity to contribute by participating in a raffle with prizes thanks to various contributors.
Road to Russia: art+fashion show is a few days away and we have been busy making the rounds at media outlets across the city promoting the event. A special thanks to all of the media supporting our event and helping us spread the word.
We had an incredible evening at the office of the Consulate General of Mexico supporting our friend, Betirri, for the opening reception of his exhibit Rumbo a Rusia: arte+futbol de Betirri. This special exhibit features pieces from his collection, Futbol Series, and new works of art that he will be taking to Russia this summer.
Consul General Oscar Rodríguez Cabrera, Betirri, Maria Duran | Photo credit: Leticia Hernandez/Duran Concepts
Thank you Consul General Oscar Rodríguez Cabrera for the special recognition Duran Concepts LLC received as one of the event partners. We look forward to continuing to work with the Consulate on community outreach and other special events.
It’s exciting to see the impact the culture of futbol has and want to thank everyone that supported this event by attending and especially the media for covering it.
Houston Dynamo staff supporting Rumbo a Rusia | photo credit: Espriella Fifi
Millennial TV interviewing Betirri | photo credit: Espriella Fifi
The art gallery inside the Office of the Consulate General of Mexico | photo credit: Espriella Fifi
Group picture with some of the guests attending Rumbo a Rusia | photo credit: Espriella Fifi
Photo credit: Espriella Fifi
We are working with Betirri on other events leading up to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 as he prepares to travel to the biggst sporting event in the world to exhibit his art.
115 Shaver St., Pasadena, TX 77506
Due to COVID guidelines, we will have sanitizer & masks on hand. We ask you everyone to network responsibly at this outdoor event.
