Houston hosted seven World Cup 2026 matches at NRG Stadium, including one Round of 32 between Brazil and Japan on June 29 and one Round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco on July 4.
While it was “Houston Stadium” during its time as an official FIFA match location, NRG Stadium (set to rebrand to Reliant Stadium in August) offered up to 80,000 seats and 198 suites for FIFA fans. For those meeting professionals looking to host events here beyond soccer matches, there’s 125,000 sq. ft. of space for events of all shapes and sizes.
Designed for rodeos, in addition to NFL games (the stadium’s home to the Houston Texans), Reliant is the only stadium with the ability to host both types of sports and can be configured for events. The stadium is part of the larger NRG Park, which includes the 706,000-square-foot NRG Center, the 5,700-seat NRG Arena, the 70,000-capacity NRG Astrodome and outdoor spaces.
“Houston is no stranger to hosting big events, and once again Houston First worked alongside our hospitality and other community partners to prepare for this opportunity,” says a spokeperson from Houston First Corporation. “As part of our 2026 leisure marketing efforts, Houston First leveraged imagery tied to soccer for a campaign dubbed A World in a City. A City of the World. This campaign is designed primarily to target Houston’s major visitor origin markets both domestically and internationally to capture attention both leading up to FIFA World Cup and subsequent to the tournament.”
Houston First’s spokesperson says they will maintain the campaign after the matches end. “We will also continue to capitalize on the goodwill that was created by successfully hosting the World Cup, leveraging the city’s best assets—Houston’s warmth and welcoming spirit to soccer fans and other visitors from around the world,” they say. “The good experiences in Houston we think will attract visitors back and further position the city globally as a destination with unique appeal, certainly worth visiting.”
The initiative highlighted the city’s people, culture, neighborhoods, cuisine, music and art that make Houston a global destination. Houston First also developed a microsite for visitors, which recently surpassed 1 million views since it launched in January. Its top five markets were the United States, Mexico, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands.
A Houston Fan Experience
“Whether here for the World Cup, Fan Fest or any other reason, visitors will quickly discover the diverse cultural experience that is uniquely Houston”, the spokesperson says. “This includes the city’s vibrant performing and visual arts with 21 world-class museums and professional resident companies in all four major disciplines—ballet, symphony, theater and opera.”
The city is also home to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. Space Center Houston, the organization’s public learning center, is right nearby and, in addition to visiting its exhibitions and various tours and attending its education programs, meeting planners can also host private events at the venue’s 250,000 sq. ft. of event space.
Read More: Notes from the Road: Houston
Houston First’s spokesperson adds, “Unique attractions and cultural gems await visitors including: the Buffalo Bayou Cistern, a decisioned cistern transformed into an underground wonder; scenic green space with walking, biking and running trails along the City’s main bayou which offers regular sightings of small urban wildlife; internationally recognized historic landmarks like Freedmen’s Town, founded by formerly enslaved people; or any one of Houston’s cultural districts that feature destinations like Asiatown or Mahatma Gandhi District that feature hundreds of locally-owned eateries, cafes and retailers.”
Houston Upgrades
In preparation for FIFA, Houston enacted several upgrades around the city that are staying after the matches. Houston Metro initiated upgrades and expansion to the city’s public transportation system, which includes a direct bus line that connects George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to downtown Houston for $4.50.
Additionally, the Green Corridor, a 14-mile pedestrian/cycle loop that connects Reliant Stadium to East Downtown, a mixed-use space with retail, restaurants, bars and entertainment where FIFA Fan Festival was held, and other communities in the city.
Houston opened Main Street Promenade opened in preparation for the World Cup, turning several downtown Main Street blocks into a pedestrian-only zone with gathering spaces, dining and public art. East Downtown is within walking distance of the convention center campus, which will see a George R. Brown Convention Center South transformation in 2028.
