Houston now has a 50-50 chance of having Super Bowl LI played at Reliant Stadium.
Live music and lunch at Discovery Green are among many amenities enjoyed by Houstonians like Mike Rocha, who would love to show off his city to a worldwide audience during another Super Bowl.
"I think it's fantastic. It's about time that we got back in the running for it. I understand that we're going to be one of two finalists, so we've got a 50/50 shot," Rocha said.
Houston last hosted the Super Bowl in 2004. It has bid two times since then, but have come up short. However, the Texans say they've learned their lessons and that the 2017 bid will be better.
"It is the most competitive beauty pageant you can imagine. Everybody wants this game and we're gonna go work hard and try to earn it for Houston," said Texans President Jamey Rootes.
Some of the city's biggest boosters point out places like Discovery Green weren't even built the last time the city hosted the Super Bowl. They say all these improvements could make a big difference in the latest bid.
Supporters say the selection process by the NFL has also changed. Houston knows it's in the mix, it just has to put in a great bid when the owners vote next May.
"We're glad we are in the mix and we'll continue to compete," said Mayor Annise Parker.
Those involved will put together a bid package in the coming weeks.
The other cities involved are San Francisco and South Florida.
NFL owners will vote next May between San Francisco -- the 49ers are building a new stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., -- and South Florida for the 50th Super Bowl in 2016. The loser of that race will then compete with Houston for hosting the 2017 game.
South Florida has hosted the most Super Bowls with 10, the last being in 2010.
Some owners have said SunLife Stadium in Miami needs major upgrades before it should be considered for another Super Bowl.
"We understand the Dolphins and South Florida are looking at renovations and they do feel that is a large part of their bid," Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
There was one Super Bowl in the San Francisco Bay Area, at Palo Alto, Calif., in 1985.
"Nothing brings a region together like a Super Bowl," 49ers CEO Jed York said.
This season's Super Bowl is in New Orleans in February 2013. It's been held there eight times.
The new MetLife sStadium in New Jersey will host the game in 2014. Then it goes back to Arizona in 2015.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report
