USA · FIFA World Cup 2026
Houston Travel Guide
Seven matches at NRG Stadium — Texas's largest World Cup venue
1 host stadiums2 nearby airports
Host stadiums
About Houston
Houston's NRG Stadium hosts seven World Cup fixtures. The venue is a covered, retractable-roof stadium seating 72,000 — the largest football-capable stadium in Texas for the tournament.
Houston is the most diverse big city in the US and has a proper public transport spine to the stadium — the METRORail Red Line runs directly from Downtown to the NRG complex.
Upcoming matches in Houston
No upcoming fixtures are published for this city yet. NRG Stadium Tickets
Where to stay
- Downtown Houston — convention hotels, 20 min to NRG on METRORail.
- Midtown & Montrose — best bar and restaurant strips, 15 min by train.
- The Galleria / Uptown — upscale hotels, 30 min by car.
- Third Ward / Museum District — museums, near Rice University, 10 min to stadium.
Getting around
- METRORail Red Line: Downtown to NRG in 20 min, $1.25.
- Bus Rapid Transit Silver line connects Uptown to the Medical Center, connecting onto rail.
- IAH airport to downtown: 45 min by bus, 30 min by Uber.
- Don't drive on matchday — the 610 Loop congests 3+ hours around kickoff.
What to eat
- Tex-Mex and true Mexican — El Real Tex-Mex (Heights) or Hugo's for upscale.
- Vietnamese — Houston has the largest Vietnamese population of any US metro.
- Texas BBQ — Killen's BBQ is the local gold standard, 30 min drive out.
Safety and matchday tips
- Summer heat + humidity is brutal — stadium is climate-controlled but allow extra hydration.
- Avoid neighborhoods south and east of downtown at night.
- NRG Stadium is cashless; contactless or mobile wallet only.
Fan zones and atmosphere
- Discovery Green — downtown park hosting Fan Festival events.
- NRG Park complex — includes Astrodome and concert spaces; pre-match tailgate culture.
Nearest airports
- IAHGeorge Bush Intercontinental
- HOUWilliam P. Hobby
Other host cities
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