Every four years, the FIFA World Cup dominates the sports scene, beating out even the Olympics in both viewership and attendance. This summer, Houston, one of 11 U.S. host cities, expects about 500,000 visitors to its seven World Cup matches.
The 34-day event in Houston is one of the longest FIFA celebrations of 2026, so if you plan to be in H-Town for the festivities, you’ll need a strategy for where to stay, how to get around and how to make the most of your time in and around the city. Here’s your guide for everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup in Houston.
Where is the World Cup being held in Houston?
As in other cities, FIFA is using easy-to-identify (and unbranded) stadium names for travelers. In Houston, that means that the home of the Texans usually known as NRG Stadium has been dubbed Houston Stadium for the World Cup matches. The stadium, located at 1 NRG Parkway, will host all seven of the city’s matches.
It’s a sprawling property adjacent to Houston’s Texas Medical Center and easily accessible from Downtown and Midtown. The venue’s location makes it ideal for seeing more of the city outside of the FIFA events, so you may want to extend your visit and explore what Houston has to offer.
How can I get to the stadium?
While NRG Stadium is a sprawling property with nine massive parking lots, traffic and parking costs can be daunting. But don’t worry: The stadium is easily accessible by rail and trail, and Houston is upping their transportation game for the World Cup.
The Green Corridor is the place to be for easy Houston Stadium access from various districts like Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, Third Ward and EaDo (East of Downtown). METRORail lines are a breeze to follow through digital maps, and trains ($1.25 each way) will run more frequently during the World Cup.
Houston also has an extensive hike-and-bike network that is an excellent way to turn your journey to the stadium into a mini-tour of the city. H-Town is famous for its heat, but you’ll pass under a canopy of trees and encounter drink stations along the way to make your journey to the match a bit more comfortable. Check out the city’s outdoor art and pop-up activations, visit some parks, and grab food and drinks in a city known for its Tex-Mex and barbecue.
Can I still get tickets?
When Houston hit its 50-day countdown to the World Cup, a new round of tickets became available to the public. You have a few options for purchasing tickets, but keep in mind that each household can only buy four tickets per match, per FIFA rules.
Ticket prices vary widely. Currently, you’re looking at around $550 and up through StubHub and Seat Geek, $700 and up through Ticketmaster, and $2,300 and up if you purchase your tickets directly from FIFA.
Where should I stay?
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston, where to stay is dependent on what you’re hoping to get out of your visit.
Want to be as close as possible to Houston Stadium? The Texas Medical Center is your best bet. It’s quieter than Downtown Houston but close to the Museum District, where you can explore beautiful green spaces at Hermann Park, visit the city’s most renowned museums and pop in for a cocktail at Hotel ZaZa. Stay at the Blossom Hotel with on-site restaurants and a med-spa that will help you relax after an exciting day of cheering from the pitch side.
Looking for more action? Thanks to Houston’s rail system, you can stay Downtown, where you’ll have your choice of restaurants, bars and local culture. Set your target around Market Square—you’ll be in the center of everything and can even see a show at one of the impressive venues in the Theater District. For a luxe stay, check into the Four Seasons Hotel Houston or celebrity-watch at the five-star Post Oak Hotel.
If you’re more interested in the official Fan Zone than attending a match, stay in EaDo. It’s known for its breweries (8th Wonder, anyone?), murals, street food and upbeat music venues.
What else should I do while visiting?
If you’re only in Houston for a few days, start with the Tour de Brewery Houston, a local bike excursion that gives you the lay of the land Downtown. It stops at a few breweries so you can beat the heat and sample some local craft beers.
Shoppers shouldn’t miss the Galleria area with its enormous mall that is home to more than 400 stores, 70 of which are local, and over 50 places to eat.
And if you have the time to venture outside the city, don’t miss the site that put Houston on the global map: Space Center Houston, where NASA’s space program earned much of its fame.
What’s the World Cup match schedule in Houston?
You’ll have your choice of five regular, group-stage matches that lead up to two knockout rounds, with the final match played on July 4.
June 14
🇩🇪 Germany vs. 🇨🇼 Curacao at noon
June 17
🇵🇹 Portugal vs. 🇨🇩 Congo DR at noon
June 20
🇳🇱 Netherlands vs. 🇸🇪 Sweden at noon
June 23
🇵🇹 Portugal vs. 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan at noon
June 26
🇨🇻 Cabo Verde vs. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia at 7pm
June 29
Round of 32 – 1C vs. 2F at noon
Note: This is a match of two runner-up teams
July 4
Round of 16 – W73 vs. W75 at noon
Note: Lucky viewers of this match will see two best-of-the-best teams battle for the win.
If I don’t have World Cup tickets, can I still enjoy the party?
Houston is never one to show up late for a party, and the World Cup is no exception. From June 11 through July 19, you can enjoy 34 days of soccer action at the FIFA Fan Festival in EaDo. All 70 matches are yours for the watching free of charge, and EaDo is easy to reach via METRORail, so you can take in a match one day and head to the Fan Festival the next.
Expect a lively crowd, diverse food options, entertainment and youth soccer in the game zone. The surrounding area is one of Houston’s most eclectic, with warehouses converted into bars, walkable streets lined with art, and a cool, industrial vibe.
Your best bet for family-friendly viewing is in Sugar Land, about 20 minutes southwest of Downtown Houston and a World Cup Host City Supporter. Viewing parties will be held throughout the cute Town Center, where you’ll also find plenty of restaurants, bars and special World Cup programming.
