2026 World Cup Guide: Houston

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Explore Matador Network’s full FIFA World Cup 2026 Travel Guide

Whether it’s the thumping atmosphere at a Rockets or Astros game or the sea of fans tailgating outside stadiums on game days, sports in Houston are a big deal. The nation’s fourth-most populous city is home to five professional teams: Houston Dynamo FC (Major League Soccer), Houston Dash (National Women’s Soccer League), the Houston Astros (Major League Baseball), the Houston Texans (National Football League), and the Houston Rockets (National Basketball Association).

A record-breaking 54 million people visited Houston in 2024 — more than twice the number that visited Dallas and almost twice the amount that visited Austin, the live music capital of the world. It could be because Houston is home to Texas’ biggest airport, or because it welcomes so many international conventions per year, or because it’s the gateway to Texas’ Gulf of Mexico beaches. According to Houston Mayor John Whitmire, it’s an intentional decision, with the city working to “promoting Houston’s brand around the world, making certain that people feel welcomed and safe, and that they want to come back.”

Houston officials say they expect to welcome roughly 500,000 fans during the World Cup. To prepare, the city is undertaking several large renovation projects, including a renovation of the Main Street Promenade. Expected to be finished in time for the World Cup, it’ll turn seven downtown blocks into walkable public use space.

The city’s huge visitor numbers mean it’s no stranger to welcoming giant crowds of people, and Houston may end up being one of the easiest places to catch a World Cup match for travelers hoping to avoid inflated hotel fees, crowded streets, and bars so packed that you’ll be standing until halftime.

Here’s your quick and helpful guide to all things Houston World Cup.

About NRG Stadium
Tickets and matches
Getting to Houston
Getting around during the World Cup
Details on the FIFA Fan Zone
Hotels, soccer bars, and what else to do
More about Houston

Venue: NRG Stadium

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NRG Stadium is Houston’s biggest venue, making it a fitting home for World Cup matches. It opened in 2002 and was the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof, allowing matches to take place rain or shine (and protecting the stadium from Houston’s sometimes-unrelenting summer heat). It seats about 72,000 fans but can accommodate more with the right seating arrangement, and nearly every seat has great lines of sight.

The stadium anchors Houston’s NRG Park, a massive entertainment complex with plenty to do; it’s known for hosting the sprawling Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Inside the stadium, you’ll find surprisingly good stadium food, at least by US standards. Expect Texas staples like brisket sandwiches, barbecue plates, Tex-Mex, and local craft beer, plus global options from beloved Texas vendors. There are wide concourses, tons of bars, and big video boards, so hanging out before kickoff doesn’t feel cramped or rushed. It’s easy to get back and forth from your seat without missing much of the action.

NRG Stadium will be called “Houston Stadium” during the World Cup and will be outfitted with upgrades including a natural grass field and new stadium-wide lighting.

The Houston World Cup Schedule

June 14, 2026: Germany vs. Curaçao — Group E (Noon CT)
June 17, 2026: Portugal vs. Inter-Confederation Playoff Winner (New Caledonia / Jamaica / DR Congo) — Group K (Noon CT)
June 20, 2026: Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff Winner B (Ukraine / Sweden / Poland / Albania) — Group F (Noon CT)
June 23, 2026: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan — Group K (Noon CT)
June 26, 2026: Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia — Group H (7 PM CT)
June 29, 2026: Round of 32 — Winner Group C vs. Runner-up Group F (Noon CT)
July 4, 2026: Round of 16 — Winner Match 73 vs. Winner Match 75 (Noon CT)

Tickets are on sale for all World Cup matches, though they’re currently limited to fans who have won various ticket-buying lotteries. Open sales for the general public are expected to start in February or March 2026. FIFA uses dynamic pricing, meaning that prices for tickets change as demand ebbs and flows. As of early February, regular ticket prices for Houston matches are expected to start around $140 for Group Stage matches, while Round of 16 tickets will likely start closer to $500 per seat.

How to get to Houston

There are two major international airports in Houston. The largest is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), about 20 miles from downtown, with the smaller William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) sitting only 10 miles from downtown. Both airports have a wide range of rental car options and rideshares. While Houston’s train/light rail does not run to either airport, Houston METRO does operate bus routes from the airports that connect to downtown and rail service. From IAH, take METRO Bus 102 (Bush IAH Express), to downtown. From HOU, Uber and Lyft will likely be the fastest ways to get to downtown, but you can also take METRO Bus 050 from the airport. You can buy bus tickets via the RideMetro App, which is easy to use and loaded with helpful scheduling and map information. Tickets are around $4.50 per person, per ride.

For those with plenty of time for a scenic train ride, the Sunset Limited is an Amtrak route connecting New Orleans and Los Angeles to Houston three times per week.

Getting around during the World Cup

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NRG Stadium is one of the easiest World Cup venues to reach by public transit. Houston’s METRORail Red Line stops directly at NRG Park, running between downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, and the Texas Medical Center. METRO usually increases train frequency for major events, which will likely happen again during the World Cup. This will make taking public transit by far the easiest and quickest option for anyone staying in Houston.

If you must drive, be sure to reserve stadium parking in advance. Note that it can be expensive, with prices often reaching above $50 for one space (another reason public transportation is the way to go).

The Official Houston FIFA Fan Zone

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Unlike many host cities, Houston’s official FIFA Fan Festival won’t be in a public park or fairgrounds. Instead, it’ll spread throughout the streets of East Downtown (EaDo). It’s a lively, walkable neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants, and creative spaces. Unlike a fenced-off park, the festival will be spread through the neighborhood, with the theme of “Football Fiesta Houston,” honoring the neighborhood and city’s strong Hispanic influences. In addition to giant outdoor viewing screens, visitors should expect international food and drink concessions, curated entertainment, youth and adult soccer and interactive zones, and lots of local restaurants and bars doing their own one-off, soccer-focused events.

Getting to EaDo is extremely easy using public transportation. Just take the Green or Purple line to EaDo / Stadium Station.

Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Houston During the World Cup

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Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Houston During the World Cup

Plans are underway to transform East Downtown into a full-on fiesta for locals and visitors alike, with summer 2026 activities across the well-loved locales that have helped make “Space City” into “Soccer City.”

The Best Hotels Near NRG Stadium

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The Best Hotels Near NRG Stadium

Accommodation options range from walkable stadium-adjacent hotels to downtown stays with easy light rail access, and some may even offer shuttle service to guests on match days.

The Best Bars To Watch The World Cup In Houston

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The Best Bars To Watch The World Cup In Houston

The city will transition from “Space City” to “Soccer City” for the 2026 World Cup — and these are the best spots to take part in the action.

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Houston in the middle of the summer can be quite hot — but fortunately, it’s near great beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, as well as plenty of other things to do. Here’s where to start.