Houston (NRG Stadium)

Houston will stage seven FIFA World Cup matches at NRG Stadium—five group games, one Round of 32 (June 29), and one Round of 16 on Saturday, July 4, 2026 (Independence Day fireworks meet global football fever). No quarterfinals or semis here, but knockout drama is guaranteed.

Confirmed match dates at NRG Stadium:

• Sun, June 14 — Group Stage (Match 10)
• Wed, June 17 — Group Stage (Match 23)
• Sat, June 20 — Group Stage (Match 35)
• Tue, June 23 — Group Stage (Match 47)
• Fri, June 26 — Group Stage (Match 65)
• Mon, June 29 — Round of 32 (Match 76)
• Sat, July 4 — Round of 16 (Match 90)

NRG's retractable roof and air‑conditioning make it a summer lifesaver. FIFA's venue profile calls out its 72,000‑seat capacity, natural grass retrofit, and pedigree hosting Copa América Centenario and Gold Cup ties.

NRG follows the NFL Clear Bag Policy:

• Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags ≤ 12″×6″×12″
• One‑gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc style)
• Small clutch ≤ 4.5″×6.5″ (can be non‑clear)
• Medically necessary items allowed after inspection.
• No backpacks, large purses, or tinted bags. No bag check on site—plan ahead.

Airports

IAH (George Bush Intercontinental): Nonstop METRO 500 IAH Downtown Direct bus launched in 2025—$4.50, every 30 min, ~30 min ride to GRB Convention Center downtown. Wi‑Fi onboard.

HOU (William P. Hobby): Cheapest option: METRO 040 bus (~54 min, $1.25) or 050 + Green Line combo (~60 min). Rideshare runs $25–$35.

METRORail Red Line is your MVP:

• Ride to Stadium Park/Astrodome Station—a short walk to NRG gates.
• From downtown, transfer from Green/Purple Lines to Red at Central Station.
• Travel time: ~27 min from downtown.
• ADA accessible, Wi‑Fi on buses, real‑time monitoring for big events.

Special Event Service: METRO boosts Red Line frequency for Texans games and will scale up for FIFA—live ops monitoring, extra trains, and staff.

Park & Ride hack: Fannin South Transit Center offers $25 event parking (card only) + round‑trip METRORail wristbands for all passengers. One stop to NRG.

Bus routes: 14 (Hiram Clarke), 60 (Cambridge), 84 (Buffalo Speedway) drop near NRG.

Driving? Pre‑purchase parking via NRG Park site; lots fill fast. Tailgating allowed in designated lots (Blue 18, Orange 22). Expect heavy traffic—budget extra time.

Confirmed: EaDo (East Downtown) is the official Fan Festival zone—walkable streets, murals, breweries, and Shell Energy Stadium as a backdrop.

• Runs June 11–July 19 (most days).
• Features Football Fiesta Houston, honoring Hispanic roots with food, music, and art.
• Massive screens for every match, global cuisine, youth activations, VIP zones.
• Legacy projects: sidewalks, trees, art installations to boost EaDo long‑term.

Downtown: Near Green/Purple Lines for easy transfer to Red Line; walkable to Discovery Green, nightlife, and EaDo Fan Fest. Hotels: JW Marriott Downtown, Cambria Convention Center.

Museum District / Medical Center: Direct Red Line access to NRG; cultural heavyweights (MFAH, Natural Science Museum, Hermann Park). Hotel ZaZa, Westin Medical Center.

Galleria/Uptown: High‑end shopping, dining; longer ride (bus or rideshare) but plush stays.

Safety tip: Tourist zones (Downtown, Museum District, Galleria) are generally safe with street smarts; avoid isolated blocks late at night.

Base downtown or Midtown for nightlife + rail access.

Pre‑match: Brunch at Common Bond → METRORail Red Line to NRG.

Post‑match: EaDo breweries (8th Wonder, True Anomaly) or Midtown bars.

Rest days:

• NASA Johnson Space Center (book ahead).
• Museum District crawl (MFAH → Natural Science → Menil).
• Buffalo Bayou Park bike loop; sunset at Eleanor Tinsley Park.
• Fan Fest nights: EaDo street art + food trucks + live sets.

Stay near Red Line (Museum District or Medical Center) for quick hops to NRG and cultural gems.

Matchday: Pack clear tote (12″×6″×12″), sunscreen, hydration, and ear protection for kids. Retractable roof = climate control, but concourses can be crowded—arrive early.

Between games:

• Houston Zoo & Hermann Park train rides.
• Children's Museum + splash pads at Discovery Green.
• EaDo Fan Fest for open lawns and family zones.
• Dining: Kid‑friendly Tex‑Mex (Ninfa's), BBQ (The Pit Room), and global eats in Midtown.

Bag rules: Clear ≤12″×6″×12″; clutch ≤4.5″×6.5″; no bag check.

Heat: June/July highs hit 93–95°F, humidity brutal; carry water, plan indoor breaks midday.

Apps: METRO Q Mobile (tickets), Uber/Lyft, FIFA app for match alerts.

Parking: Fannin South $25 + rail wristbands; pre‑book stadium lots if driving.

Tickets: Only via FIFA.com/tickets; resale through FIFA portal later.

Singles (4 days)

• Day 1: Land at IAH → METRO 500 to Downtown → EaDo mural crawl + breweries.
• Day 2 (Match): Brunch → Red Line to NRG → post‑match Midtown nightlife.
• Day 3: NASA + Galveston beach day.
• Day 4: Fan Fest + Museum District → evening flight.

Families (4 days)

• Day 1: Hobby → Museum District hotel → Hermann Park picnic.
• Day 2 (Match): Red Line to NRG; clear tote + snacks; early exit to avoid crush.
• Day 3: Zoo + Children's Museum; nap; EaDo Fan Fest for evening match viewing.
• Day 4: Downtown tunnels tour + Discovery Green splash pads.