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With their playoff seed (No. 2 in the Western Conference) secure, the Houston Rockets launched “Countdown to Liftoff” to celebrate the franchise’s return to the playoffs. According to the team, the concept is to provide fans with ways to express their support and excitement in the days leading up to the beginning of the 2025 NBA playoffs on Saturday, April 19.
On Tuesday, the Rockets clinched the No. 2 seed in the West playoffs, meaning the first two games of their best-of-seven, first-round series will be played at Toyota Center. Houston, which hasn't played in the postseason since 2020 and hasn't had a playoff game in Houston since 2019, will face the winner of the play-in tournament game between the No. 7 and No. 8 teams in the West standings.
According to the team, the best way for fans to secure seats for the upcoming playoff run is to become a season-ticket member for 2025-26 by calling (713) 758-7300 or visiting its website at Rockets.com. On Friday, the Rockets are hosting a select-a-seat event at Toyota Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., local time. The event provides fans who are interested in season memberships the opportunity to select a location firsthand. Sign-ups are available by filling out a form here or by calling the number listed above to speak with a sales executive.
Fans can also sign up to be a Rockets Insider for free at Rockets.com. This will grant them access to participate in exclusive playoff presale events throughout the postseason, with the first opportunity coming on Monday, April 14. Remaining tickets for the first pair of playoff home games will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15.
“Countdown to Liftoff” opened on Wednesday with a surprise pep rally for students at Yates High School in Houston. The team's Clutch the Bear mascot, the Clutch City Dancers, and the Rockets Launch Crew were on hand for the celebration.
Also from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, there was a “Rockets Takeover” at the Chick-fil-A location at I-45 and Almeda in Houston. Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich joined Clutch the Bear and members of the Clutch City Dancers to greet fans and hand out giveaways.
Upcoming events as part of the series will include:
Friday, April 11: With tipoff at 9:30 p.m., Tito’s Handmade Vodka is sponsoring a viewing party at Wakefield Crowbar for Houston's road game at the Los Angeles Lakers. There will be appearances from team entertainers and a Rockets legend, along with multiple fan giveaways throughout the evening.
Saturday, April 12: The Rockets are visiting the Kroger’s store at 14221 East Sam Houston Parkway North from 12:00-4:00 p.m., local time. A franchise legend will make an appearance along with Clutch the Bear and the Clutch City Dancers. The event will feature a DJ and fan giveaways, as well. Separately, the Rockets are hosting a Road Jam at the University of Houston’s student-led Frontier Fiesta.
Sunday, April 13: The Rockets will celebrate Fan Appreciation Day, presented by Toyota, when they host Denver in the regular-season finale at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m., and there will be a Liftoff Party beginning at 12:30 p.m. outside the main entrance. This pregame celebration will include a live DJ, face painters, balloon artists, make-a-sign stations, and appearances by the Clutch City Dancers and the Rockets Launch Crew. In honor of Fan Appreciation Day, the Toyota Center team shop will have a special 25% discount on all regularly priced items.
Monday, April 14: The franchise's social media team is launching Fan Appreciation Week with surprise appearances and giveaways across their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
Tuesday, April 15: Toyota is sponsoring a Rockets' playoff car emblem drive-up giveaway at Toyota Center. While supplies last from 7:00 to 10:30 a.,m., fans will be able to pull up to the arena along Polk and La Branch Streets and pick up an emblem.
Wednesday, April 16: The Toyota Center team shop will host a “Gear up for Liftoff” event. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., fans will have their first chance to secure items from an exclusive 2025 playoff collection. The special line of merchandise will also be available for purchase at Rocketsshop.com later that day.
Also on that Wednesday, Houston Mayor John Whitmire will issue a proclamation at City Hall declaring Thursday, April 17, as “Rockets Red Day.” Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations with the Rockets, will accept the proclamation on behalf of the team while accompanied by franchise legends, Clutch the Bear, and the Clutch City Dancers.
Thursday, April 17: As part of the citywide “Rockets Red Day,” all Houstonians and Rockets fans around the globe are encouraged to wear red to support the team. Various downtown buildings — including City Hall and the Ferris wheel at Downtown Aquarium — will be lit up red that Thursday night, in addition to the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston.
Friday, April 18: The Rockets will host a pep rally at Kemah Boardwalk from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., local time. The first 100 fans who show up at the pop-up shop wearing team apparel will receive a wristband granting free access to all rides and amusements. The Rockets will have inflatables at the event, with Clutch the Bear and the Clutch City Dancers in attendance.
Fans can follow the Rockets’ official social-media accounts to keep up with all the “Countdown to Liftoff” events and opportunities.
More: With Lakers’ loss, Rockets clinch No. 2 spot in 2025 West playoff field
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Countdown to Liftoff’: Rockets launch fan program ahead of playoffs
Continue reading...
On Tuesday, the Rockets clinched the No. 2 seed in the West playoffs, meaning the first two games of their best-of-seven, first-round series will be played at Toyota Center. Houston, which hasn't played in the postseason since 2020 and hasn't had a playoff game in Houston since 2019, will face the winner of the play-in tournament game between the No. 7 and No. 8 teams in the West standings.
According to the team, the best way for fans to secure seats for the upcoming playoff run is to become a season-ticket member for 2025-26 by calling (713) 758-7300 or visiting its website at Rockets.com. On Friday, the Rockets are hosting a select-a-seat event at Toyota Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., local time. The event provides fans who are interested in season memberships the opportunity to select a location firsthand. Sign-ups are available by filling out a form here or by calling the number listed above to speak with a sales executive.
Fans can also sign up to be a Rockets Insider for free at Rockets.com. This will grant them access to participate in exclusive playoff presale events throughout the postseason, with the first opportunity coming on Monday, April 14. Remaining tickets for the first pair of playoff home games will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15.
“Countdown to Liftoff” opened on Wednesday with a surprise pep rally for students at Yates High School in Houston. The team's Clutch the Bear mascot, the Clutch City Dancers, and the Rockets Launch Crew were on hand for the celebration.
Also from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, there was a “Rockets Takeover” at the Chick-fil-A location at I-45 and Almeda in Houston. Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich joined Clutch the Bear and members of the Clutch City Dancers to greet fans and hand out giveaways.
Upcoming events as part of the series will include:
Friday, April 11: With tipoff at 9:30 p.m., Tito’s Handmade Vodka is sponsoring a viewing party at Wakefield Crowbar for Houston's road game at the Los Angeles Lakers. There will be appearances from team entertainers and a Rockets legend, along with multiple fan giveaways throughout the evening.
Saturday, April 12: The Rockets are visiting the Kroger’s store at 14221 East Sam Houston Parkway North from 12:00-4:00 p.m., local time. A franchise legend will make an appearance along with Clutch the Bear and the Clutch City Dancers. The event will feature a DJ and fan giveaways, as well. Separately, the Rockets are hosting a Road Jam at the University of Houston’s student-led Frontier Fiesta.
Sunday, April 13: The Rockets will celebrate Fan Appreciation Day, presented by Toyota, when they host Denver in the regular-season finale at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m., and there will be a Liftoff Party beginning at 12:30 p.m. outside the main entrance. This pregame celebration will include a live DJ, face painters, balloon artists, make-a-sign stations, and appearances by the Clutch City Dancers and the Rockets Launch Crew. In honor of Fan Appreciation Day, the Toyota Center team shop will have a special 25% discount on all regularly priced items.
Monday, April 14: The franchise's social media team is launching Fan Appreciation Week with surprise appearances and giveaways across their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
Tuesday, April 15: Toyota is sponsoring a Rockets' playoff car emblem drive-up giveaway at Toyota Center. While supplies last from 7:00 to 10:30 a.,m., fans will be able to pull up to the arena along Polk and La Branch Streets and pick up an emblem.
Wednesday, April 16: The Toyota Center team shop will host a “Gear up for Liftoff” event. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., fans will have their first chance to secure items from an exclusive 2025 playoff collection. The special line of merchandise will also be available for purchase at Rocketsshop.com later that day.
Also on that Wednesday, Houston Mayor John Whitmire will issue a proclamation at City Hall declaring Thursday, April 17, as “Rockets Red Day.” Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations with the Rockets, will accept the proclamation on behalf of the team while accompanied by franchise legends, Clutch the Bear, and the Clutch City Dancers.
Thursday, April 17: As part of the citywide “Rockets Red Day,” all Houstonians and Rockets fans around the globe are encouraged to wear red to support the team. Various downtown buildings — including City Hall and the Ferris wheel at Downtown Aquarium — will be lit up red that Thursday night, in addition to the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston.
Friday, April 18: The Rockets will host a pep rally at Kemah Boardwalk from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., local time. The first 100 fans who show up at the pop-up shop wearing team apparel will receive a wristband granting free access to all rides and amusements. The Rockets will have inflatables at the event, with Clutch the Bear and the Clutch City Dancers in attendance.
Fans can follow the Rockets’ official social-media accounts to keep up with all the “Countdown to Liftoff” events and opportunities.
More: With Lakers’ loss, Rockets clinch No. 2 spot in 2025 West playoff field
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Countdown to Liftoff’: Rockets launch fan program ahead of playoffs
Continue reading...
