By Chris Moran

City Council has approved tailgating at the new soccer stadium scheduled to open in May.

City law had prohibited open containers and outdoor drinking in the central business district. The Houston Dynamo, which is putting the finishing touches on a 22,000-seat stadium across U.S. 59 from Minute Maid Park, asked for the change. Amendments passed by the council this morning create an exception for public drinking at sports venues.

The amendments also authorize tailgating before Rockets and Astros games.

It passed unanimously without discussion.

The Rockets and the Astros have not shown any interest in allowing fans to tailgate before games, said Chris Newport, a spokesman for the city’s Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department.

Doug Hall, general manager of BBVA Compass Stadium, said the Dynamo has been working with the city council to determine what was legal in terms of tailgating. He said the stadium holds 22,000 fans and he anticipates a full house this year when it opens in May.

“It’s something that is important to season ticket holders and fans,” Hall said. “It’s something that has been part of the culture, and we would like it to continue downtown.”

[View the story “Fans can now tailgate for Dynamo, Astros and Rockets games” on Storify]