T.E.A.M. Houston - Do Business
Turn Soccer into a Business Opportunity For Your Organization.
As Houston gears up for the biggest soccer event on planet earth in 2026 and a wave of soccer events before and after, T.E.A.M. Houston is here to help your business take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. Whether you're looking to reach passionate fans, activate your brand, or explore vendor and hospitality opportunities - we can be your trusted guide.
Our own team and its industry network includes professionals across marketing, business development, sponsorship, events, licensing, content creation, small business support, and more. Our aim is to serve solopreneurs, small and mid-sized businesses across the Greater Houston metro and beyond, offering insight, guidance, and strategic support.
Whether you're new to soccer or already involved, our team - and our partner organizations and their members - can help you build your roadmap to meaningful engagement with the sport, the fans, and the broader business ecosystem.
25 SMB Soccer Business Opportunities
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM SEGMENT
Covers: hotels, restaurants, bars, venues, travel agents, entertainment
1. Themed watch parties
• Bars, breweries, event venues can host paid-entry or sponsored viewing events
2. Soccer-friendly menus & packages
• Restaurants offer special match-day menus, fan specials
3. Hotel packages for traveling fans
• Target Leagues Cup, Gold Cup, World Cup visitors; partner with fan groups & tour operators
4. Transportation services
• Shuttle services to/from stadiums for groups, fans, VIPs
5. Soccer weekend tours
• Travel agents bundle match tickets + local tours for visiting fans
CREATIVE & MARKETING SEGMENT
Covers: marketing agencies, PR, graphic design, content creators, photographers, event companies
6. Event branding & activation
• Help brands/venues create soccer-themed experiences
7. Content production
• Videos, reels, social media campaigns for soccer sponsors, businesses, venues
8. Merchandising & design
• Branded apparel, banners, signage, digital assets for local soccer events
9. Influencer collaborations
• Connect businesses with local soccer influencers & fan creators
10. Fan engagement apps & gamification
• Create digital fan engagement experiences during tournaments
RETAIL SEGMENT
Covers: sports shops, clothing stores, local shops, pop-up stores and e-commerce)
11. Soccer-themed products
• Sell jerseys, scarves, collectibles, soccer fashion
12. Pop-up shops
• Set up pop-up retail at venues, stadium areas, fan zones
13. Collaborations with local clubs/fan groups
• Co-branded merchandise with grassroots soccer clubs or supporters' groups
FOOD & BEVERAGE PRODUCTION
Covers: local food producers, beverage companies, catering, packaged goods
14. Sponsor match-day food
• Provide branded snacks & drinks at stadiums, watch parties, VIP events
15. Limited-edition product lines
• Launch special soccer-themed packaging, flavors, promotions during tournament windows
16. Catering for VIP & sponsor events
• Offer catering services for corporate hospitality at soccer events
EVENT PRODUCTION & SUPPORT SERVICES
Covers: event logistics, rentals, security, staffing, staging, signage
17. Event staffing & security
• Provide trained staff for fan events, matches, pop-ups
18. Rental of equipment
• Tents, AV, furniture, stages for fan festivals & corporate activations
19. Venue partnerships
• Offer spaces for side events, business receptions, media hubs during soccer windows
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Covers: legal, financial, consulting, translation, travel and staffing services
20. Consulting for international brands
• Help Mexican/European/Latam companies entering Houston for Leagues Cup, World Cup, etc.
21. Legal & IP services
• Trademark support for soccer-related products, events
22. Accounting & tax planning
• Tax guidance for international entities doing activations in Houston
23.Translation & localization
• Spanish-English-Portuguese translation for brands targeting fans
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION SEGMENT
Covers: Soccer nonprofits, education providers, local initiatives, CSR
24. Soccer-driven community programs
• SMBs can sponsor youth soccer clinics, community tournaments during big soccer windows
25. Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Partner with local soccer nonprofits to create visible goodwill during Gold Cup, World Cup season
10 Chamber Of Commerce Activities
1. Monthly Business & Soccer Mixer Series
Concept
• Monthly or bi-monthly networking mixers themed around soccer + business topics
• Rotating venues: stadiums, soccer-friendly bars, creative spaces, corporate headquarters
Target audience
• Members of business associations & int’l chambers + creative community + soccer organizations
Benefits
• Low-barrier to participation
• Constant relationship-building
• Visibility for partners (venues, sponsors, associations)
2. Co-Branded Panel Sessions / Masterclasses
Concept
• Quarterly knowledge-sharing events with partners
(AMA, PRSA, IABC, international chambers)
• Jointly organized and promoted
• Example topics:
"Soccer Fans as a Marketing Audience"
"Hospitality & Sponsorship Trends in Sports Events"
"How International Companies Use Soccer for Brand Activation“
Benefits
• Provides value to association members
• Demonstrates TEAM Houston thought leadership
• Easy "win" for co-hosting organizations
3. Cross-Promotional Partner Packages
Concept
Create a simple "Engagement Package" or Affiliate Partner Program with other associations:
• Co-branding opportunities
• Early ticket access to TEAM Houston events
• Cross-promotion of events in each other’s newsletters and social channels
• Speaker exchange agreements
Benefits
• Strengthens alliances
• Builds ecosystem
• Helps each association increase member value
4. International Business Soccer Forum
Concept
• Flagship event once per year
• Invite international chambers + Houston global business community
• Focus: soccer as soft power, international marketing, hospitality, trade, innovation
• Include matchmaking, B2B networking, sponsorship showcases
Benefits
• Builds Houston’s international business positioning around soccer
• Big engagement opportunity for chambers
• Draws media attention
5. Joint "Road to 2026" Content Calendar
Concept
• Develop and share a joint calendar of soccer-related business events, educational opportunities, creative activations — in collaboration with other associations/chambers
• Let partners add their activities; T.E.A.M. Houston promotes the master calendar
Benefits
• Helps create one aligned narrative across the ecosystem
• Makes T.E.A.M. Houston a hub for coordination
• Supports partners’ visibility
6. Storytelling & Content Collaboration Program
Concept
• Launch a collaborative content initiative with AMA, PRSA, AAF, international chambers and others
• Co-create short videos / case studies:
- "How Houston companies are preparing for soccer"
- "How international firms are activating around soccer"
- "Creative community meets the soccer opportunity“
Benefits
• Content marketing value for all partners
• Promotes Houston’s business readiness for 2026
• Drives LinkedIn, social media and website traffic
7. Educational Series / Webinars
Concept
• Online sessions co-branded with other associations
• Topics could include:
- Soccer Economics 101 for Businesses
- Marketing to Global Fans
- Sports Tourism & Hospitality
- International Sponsorship Law & Practice
Benefits
• Easy first engagement with new partners
• High scalability
• Creates intellectual leadership positioning
8. "Soccer & Business Ambassadors" Program
Concept
• Select 1-2 liaison persons per association/chamber
• Invite them into a simple ambassador's group
• They serve as bridge-builders between T.E.A.M. Houston & their respective groups
• Occasional meetups, strategy calls, ambassador spotlights
Benefits
• Personal connections = stronger partnerships
• Helps T.E.A.M. Houston grow its influence organically
• Builds “network of networks”
9. Cultural Diplomacy Collaborations
Consider involving with consulates (Mexican as example)
Concept
• Collaborate on cultural programming linked to soccer events:
- Mexican art exhibitions tied to tournaments
- Music events around match days
- Film screenings (soccer-related, Mexican film)
- Leverage Consulate’s cultural resources and calendar
Benefits
• Strengthens Mexico-Houston cultural ties
• Positions T.E.A.M. Houston and Chambers as bridge-builders
• Drives non-business community engagement
10. Exploit Culture - Hispanic Heritage Month
Concept
Collaborate on a Hispanic Heritage Month signature event(s) blending soccer, business, and Latino culture:
• Soccer-themed Business Mixer spotlighting Latino-owned businesses
• Watch party for Mexican National Team or Liga MX game
• Latino Creatives Market (fashion, art, content creators, music)
• Pop-up soccer art & photography exhibition
Benefits
• Strengthens ties between Latino business & creative community and Houston’s soccer economy
• Elevates visibility of Latino-owned businesses in lead-up to Gold Cup / World Cup
• Positions T.E.A.M. Houston + Chambers as trusted bridge-builders with Latino community
WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?
T.E.A.M. Houston, and its partners, can offer a range of services and connections to help your business engage with the sport of soccer, the fans, and the broader soccer ecosystem - locally, nationally, and doing so before, during and after the World Cup.
Here's areas where we can support you:
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Sponsorship strategy
(local, national team, or event-related) -
Fan engagement campaigns and activations
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Hospitality and customer experience opportunities
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Licensing, branding, and IP guidance
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Vendor and RFP opportunities
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Soccer-related events and promotions
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Community and cultural connections
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Strategic partnerships (clubs, leagues, venues)
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Soccer literacy and audience education
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Financing and support via SBA and local programs
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Introductions and match-making
Explore these areas and let us know where we can support. If any apply to your goals, we encourage you to submit the form below to start the conversation.