🇺🇸 Houston · USA
NRG Stadium
72,220
Capacity
7
WC Matches
Retractable
Roof
2002
Opened
About NRG Stadium
NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas was the first NFL stadium built with a retractable roof, setting the template for modern enclosed NFL venues. Houston - home to the largest concentration of international residents in the USA - will be one of the most cosmopolitan crowds at the 2026 World Cup.
Notable: Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex (best inside-stadium tacos in the World Cup), local craft beer from Saint Arnold and Karbach. Retractable roof keeps the Houston heat out.
Location & how to find it
Address
1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054, USA
Seating layout & ticket categories
FIFA prices every match in four categories. Here's where each typically sits at NRG Stadium.
Click to enlargeOfficial 2026 FIFA World Cup seat plan. © FIFA - shown for editorial reference. Buy tickets only at FIFA.com.
Find your seat
See exact sections on the FIFA chart
Section numbers and ticket category placement are also shown live in the FIFA ticket portal when you apply. The FIFA support article aggregates seat plans for every venue.
Ticket categories - what each tier means
Cat 1 · Premium
Sideline lower bowl - best sightlines
Cat 2 · Mid-premium
Sideline upper or end-zone lower
Cat 3 · Standard
Upper-bowl end zones, corners
Cat 4 · Resident-only
Restricted view, upper rows - host-country residents only
7 World Cup matches at NRG Stadium
Every 2026 FIFA World Cup match scheduled at this venue, in chronological order.
Home Team
Houston Texans (NFL)
Natural grass (hybrid)
WC 2026 Rounds Hosted
Match-day essentials
Everything you need to walk into NRG Stadium for a 2026 World Cup match - bags, gates, transit, parking, and what's allowed inside.
Gates open
Gates typically open 90 minutes before kickoff for FIFA World Cup matches. Confirm exact times on the FIFA app once your tickets appear.
Bag policy
Clear bag only - max 12"×6"×12". One small clutch (4.5"×6.5") allowed.
Cash or card
Cashless
Bag policy in detail
Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12"×6"×12", or a one-gallon clear plastic Ziploc-style bag. One small clutch (4.5"×6.5") with or without a strap is also permitted in addition to the clear bag. No backpacks, no diaper bags, no opaque bags of any kind. This is the NFL standard policy and is expected to apply for World Cup 2026.
Prohibited items
- ×Backpacks and bags exceeding clear-bag limits
- ×Outside food and beverages (sealed water bottles often allowed)
- ×Cans, glass containers, hard-sided coolers
- ×Selfie sticks, tripods, and professional camera lenses (>4-6 inches)
- ×Drones, laser pointers, fireworks
- ×Flag poles longer than 3 feet (1 meter)
- ×Banners with commercial or political messaging
- ×Noisemakers, air horns, vuvuzelas (unless venue-specific exception)
- ×Weapons of any kind
- ×Illegal substances
Getting to the stadium
METRORail Red Line (recommended)
Direct from downtown Houston to Stadium Park Station - 20 min, $1.25. Stadium is a 10-min walk from the station.
Rideshare
$20-35 from downtown (15-25 min). Designated drop-off zones.
Driving
Loop 610 / I-610. Parking $30-60.
Parking
$30-60
Vast NRG Park lots. Pre-pay for premium spots. Tailgating allowed in designated lots.
When to arrive
Arrive 90-120 min early. Houston heat in June/July is brutal (90-95°F) - hydrate and minimize outdoor wait. Stadium has retractable roof.
Post-match exit
Stadium clears in 60-90 min. METRORail is most reliable. Driving exit can take 45 min in I-610 traffic.
Inside the stadium
Alcohol
Beer, wine, cocktails. ID required (21+ in Texas).
Smoking
Smoking/vaping prohibited inside.
Re-entry
No re-entry.
Tickets
Mobile-only via the FIFA app. Save your ticket offline before leaving for the stadium and bring government photo ID matching your FIFA ID account.
Food & drink inside the stadium
What you can eat, drink, and try - plus the venue's signature dishes worth seeking out.
Concessions
Standard NFL stadium concessions: hot dogs, pretzels, pizza, burgers, nachos, popcorn, soft drinks, bottled water, beer (domestic + craft), wine, and coffee. Specialty stands rotate by event - the official stadium app lists the day's vendor map.
Beer & drinks
Local craft beer alongside national brands. Most NFL stadiums have a dedicated craft beer hall on the main concourse with regional breweries.
Don't miss
Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex (best inside-stadium tacos in the World Cup), local craft beer from Saint Arnold and Karbach. Retractable roof keeps the Houston heat out.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access, sensory accommodations, and other support services. Request these via FIFA.com when buying your ticket.
Wheelchair
Wheelchair-accessible seating with companion seats in every section. Elevators serve all levels. Request accessible seating through FIFA.com when buying tickets.
Sensory
Sensory rooms typically available - quiet spaces with noise-cancelling headphones for guests with sensory processing needs. Check the stadium app on match day for location.
Other support
ASL interpreters available for select matches on request. Audio-description headsets for visually-impaired guests at Guest Services. Service animals welcome.
Bringing kids and families
Nursing & family rooms
Nursing/lactation rooms available - typically on the main concourse near Guest Services. Free use, comfortable seating, sink, and changing table.
Children & infants
Children under 2 typically free as 'lap infants' (must request from FIFA when buying tickets). Children 2+ need their own ticket and FIFA ID.
Strollers
Strollers may be brought in but must be checked at Guest Services or stowed under seats. Some stadiums prohibit strollers in the seating bowl entirely - check on arrival.
Practical info
Photography
Personal cameras welcome (no detachable lenses longer than 4-6 inches). No professional cameras or video equipment. No tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks. Phone photography is unrestricted.
Lost & found
Guest Services on the main concourse handles lost-and-found during the event. Items not claimed are held at the stadium administrative office for ~30 days post-match.
First aid
First-aid stations on every concourse level - look for the white-cross signage on the stadium map. Trained EMTs on site for the duration of the event.
Smoking & vaping
Smoking/vaping prohibited inside the stadium and in concourses. Designated outdoor smoking areas may be available outside the gates - re-entry is generally NOT allowed, so plan accordingly.
Stadium tours
Public stadium tours are typically suspended during World Cup-related dates. Resume normally after the tournament.
First-time visitor tips
Insider notes specific to NRG Stadium - the things that make match day smoother.
Take METRORail Red Line from downtown to Stadium Park station - 20 min, $1.25, beats Houston traffic.
The retractable roof closes during matches for AC - inside is around 72°F regardless of outside temperature.
Tex-Mex stands beat the standard NFL fare - look for Killen's BBQ or the local taqueria stands.
Sections 116-129 (lower sideline) have the best sightlines.
Houston traffic post-match is brutal on Loop 610 - wait 30-45 min on the concourse or grab dinner nearby first.
Stadium Facts
The first NFL stadium ever built with a retractable roof
Houston is the most ethnically diverse large city in the USA - perfect World Cup host
Has hosted Super Bowls and NCAA Final Fours
The roof can open or close in approximately 10 minutes
Sits adjacent to the original Houston Astrodome - the world's first domed stadium
NRG Stadium FAQ
How do I get from downtown Houston to NRG Stadium?+
Take METRORail Red Line south from downtown to Stadium Park Station - 20 min, $1.25. Stadium is a 10-min walk. Cheapest and most reliable option on match days.
What's the bag policy at NRG Stadium?+
Standard NFL clear-bag policy: clear bag max 12"×6"×12" or one-gallon Ziploc, plus 4.5"×6.5" clutch. Same policy as Texans home games.
How hot will NRG Stadium be during the World Cup?+
NRG has a retractable roof and full air conditioning, kept around 72°F (22°C). Outside Houston is brutal in June/July (90-95°F / 32-35°C with high humidity). Dress for the heat outside, layers for the AC inside.
How much is parking at NRG Stadium?+
$30-60 in the vast NRG Park lots. Pre-pay online for premium spots. Tailgating is allowed in designated lots; lots open 4 hours pre-match.
How early do gates open at NRG Stadium?+
Typically 90 minutes before kickoff. Arrive 90-120 min early. METRORail gets crowded 60 min pre-match.
Planning a Visit?
Read the full Houston city guide for transport routes, neighbourhoods, and visitor tips.
Houston Visitor Guide →