NRG Stadium hosts seven 2026 World Cup matches in Houston. Five group games and two knockouts including a Round of 16 tie. The opening NRG fixture is on 14 June, Germany against Curaçao. The reason NRG is on the WC map at all is the retractable roof — opened in 2002, the first NFL stadium ever built with one, and the answer to playing football in 38°C Houston summer days.
NRG Stadium
72,220 capacity
View stadium →The 2026 fixtures
| Date | Kickoff (CDT) | Match | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 14 Jun | 12:00 | Germany vs Curaçao | Group Stage – 1 |
| Wed 17 Jun | 12:00 | Portugal vs Congo DR | Group Stage – 1 |
| Sat 20 Jun | 12:00 | Netherlands vs Sweden | Group Stage – 2 |
| Tue 23 Jun | 12:00 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Group Stage – 2 |
| Fri 26 Jun | 19:00 | Cape Verde Islands vs Saudi Arabia | Group Stage – 3 |
| Round of 32 | TBD | – | – |
| Round of 16 | TBD | – | – |
Five group fixtures drawn. The Round of 32 and Round of 16 ties resolve from the bracket.
Germany
Curaçao
Portugal
Congo DR
Netherlands
SwedenPortugal
UzbekistanThe roof
Houston in June and July averages 35°C with 80% humidity. Without the roof, daytime kickoffs are not playable. NRG opened in 2002 as the first NFL stadium built with a retractable roof, two trifold panels that meet at midfield and open in 7 minutes. For the World Cup, almost every kickoff is scheduled with the roof closed and air-conditioning running. The four 12:00 noon CDT slots above are only feasible because of that.
The building
Populous (then HOK Sport) designed NRG. Construction cost was $352 million at opening — modest by the inflation-adjusted standard of newer US venues. The lower bowl reseats for soccer, and a temporary natural-grass field is laid over the artificial turf six weeks before the first WC match. Listed capacity is 72,220 for football, with FIFA configuration likely landing around the same.
Big matches here
Super Bowl XXXVIII on 1 February 2004 (Patriots 32, Panthers 29 — the Janet Jackson halftime). Super Bowl LI on 5 February 2017 (Patriots 34, Falcons 28, OT — the 28–3 comeback). The 2024 College Football Championship (Michigan 34, Washington 13). The 2024 Copa América quarter-final on 4 July between Argentina and Ecuador, Argentina winning on penalties after a 1–1 draw. The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo runs through NRG every March.
Quick facts
| Capacity | 72,220 |
| Opened | 24 August 2002 |
| Architect | Populous (then HOK Sport) |
| Cost at build | $352 million |
| Roof | Retractable, opens in 7 minutes |
| Permanent surface | Artificial |
| WC surface | Hybrid natural grass overlay |
| Tenant | Houston Texans (NFL) |
| Address | NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX |
Getting there
Houston has minimal transit relative to its size. The METRORail Red Line stops at Stadium station, a 10-minute walk to NRG. From Downtown, 15 minutes on the rail. Trains run every 12 minutes on event days.
Driving is the dominant option. NRG has 26,000 parking spaces; event-day pricing $40–$80. The 610 Loop and I-69 are the main approaches.
Uber and Lyft work. From Downtown $20–$35, from the Galleria $25–$40, from the Heights $20–$30. Designated rideshare zones at the southwest corner of the stadium.
George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is 35 minutes by car. Hobby (HOU) is 25 minutes.
Food and drink
The area immediately around NRG is the Texas Medical Center and parkland — limited walkable pre-match scene. The pre-match base for fans is Downtown Houston (15 minutes by light rail or rideshare) or Midtown and The Heights for craft-beer-and-restaurants culture.
8th Wonder Brewery
Brewery taproom10 min drive
EaDo (East Downtown) brewery, walking distance from Shell Energy Stadium. Pre-match staple with light-rail access.
Open in Maps →Downtown Houston
Pre-match district15 min by light rail
The Red Line connects Downtown directly to NRG. Eat in Downtown, ride down to the stadium.
Open in Maps →Pluckers Wing Bar (Med Center)
Sports bar5 min drive
Houston wing-bar institution, closest to NRG. Pre-match staple for fans driving in.
Open in Maps →The Astrodome
Adjacent landmarkOn-site
The original "Eighth Wonder of the World" sits next to NRG, decommissioned but preserved. Photographable from the stadium parking.
Open in Maps →Inside NRG, the food slate is a Texas BBQ-and-Tex-Mex set with an expanded international section for WC matches.
Seats
Lower bowl behind a goal for atmosphere. Club level around the halfway line is the best balance of price and sightline. With the roof closed, heat is rarely an issue even in upper deck rows.
Tickets
FIFA's official channel for all matches. Resale opens in waves through spring 2026.
Pair it with
Shell Energy Stadium (Houston Dynamo, MLS) is 15 minutes north in EaDo, an easy midweek MLS pairing. Minute Maid Park (Astros, MLB) is in Downtown for an MLB afternoon. The Astrodome is literally next door — touring it is not currently possible but the photograph is.
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