Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, will host seven matches during the WC 2026, including a Round of 16 fixture. Known as "Houston Stadium" during the tournament, the 72,000-seat arena was the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof (opened 2002). Like its Texas neighbour Dallas Stadium in Dallas, NRG offers fully climate-controlled indoor conditions during the brutal Houston summer, where outdoor temperatures regularly exceed 34C with extreme humidity.
| Commercial name | NRG Stadium |
| Tournament name | Houston Stadium |
| City | Houston, Texas |
| Country | USA |
| WC 2026 capacity | 72,220 |
| Year opened | 2002 |
| Roof | Retractable |
| Surface | Grass (Laid For Wc) |
| Altitude | 15 m |
| Regional cluster | Central |
| WC 2026 matches | 7 (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16) |
| Highest stage | Round of 16 |
| Timezone | CDT (UTC-5) |
| CEST difference | -7 hours (BE, PL, RS) |
| EEST difference | -8 hours (RO, GR) |
| BRT difference | -2 hours (BR) |
| Home teams | Houston Texans (NFL) |
About Houston Stadium in Houston
Houston Stadium opened in 2002 as the home of the Houston Texans (NFL). It was the first NFL stadium built with a retractable roof, pioneering the concept of climate-controlled football in the extreme Texas heat. Located within the NRG Park complex in Houston, the stadium sits adjacent to the Astrodome, the legendary "Eighth Wonder of the World."
When the roof is closed (which is standard during Houston's summer), the interior is fully air-conditioned, creating consistent indoor conditions. For the tournament, a temporary natural grass pitch will replace the usual artificial surface. The combination of indoor conditions and fresh natural grass tends to produce a fast, predictable playing surface.
Houston Stadium has hosted multiple Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, as well as Super Bowl LI (2017, the famous Patriots comeback). The venue is well-tested for major football events and will host seven WC 2026 matches, including fixtures featuring Germany and Portugal.
Seven WC 2026 matches at Houston Stadium
Houston hosts seven matches between June 14 and July 4. The group stage features two Group E matches (including Germany's opener) and two Group K matches (including Portugal's opener).
Group stage matches at Houston Stadium
| Match | Group | Fixture | Date | ET | CEST BE/PL/RS |
EEST RO/GR |
BRT BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #10 | E | Germany vs. Curaçao | Sat, June 14 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| #23 | K | Portugal vs. DR Congo | Tue, June 17 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| #34 | E | Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast | Fri, June 20 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| #47 | K | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | Mon, June 23 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| #68 | E | Ivory Coast vs. Germany | Thu, June 26 | 7:00 PM | 01:00 (+1) | 02:00 (+1) | 20:00 |
Match 10 - Germany vs. Curaçao: Four-time the tournament winners Germany open their campaign against Curaçao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a the tournament. A historic moment for the Caribbean island.
Match 23 - Portugal vs. DR Congo: Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, begin their Group K campaign. DR Congo, back for the first time since 1974, face one of the tournament favourites.
Match 34 - Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast: WC debutants Curaçao face the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast.
Match 47 - Portugal vs. Uzbekistan: Portugal's second group match against fellow WC debutants Uzbekistan.
Match 68 - Ivory Coast vs. Germany: A decisive Group E clash between two strong sides. The indoor conditions at NRG neutralise any climate advantage.
All group stage odds are available on the WC 2026 betting page. Please note: displayed odds may have changed since publication and are subject to updates.
Knockout stage matches at Houston Stadium
| Stage | Fixture | Date | ET | CEST BE/PL/RS |
EEST RO/GR |
BRT BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 1C vs. 2F | Sun, June 29 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| Round of 16 | TBD vs. TBD | Sat, July 4 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
Houston Stadium is remarkably European-viewer-friendly: six of the seven matches kick off at 19:00 CEST (20:00 EEST). The Round of 32 could feature Brazil if they win Group C.
See the full WC 2026 schedule and tournament bracket for the complete knockout stage overview.
Betting on matches at Houston Stadium: conditions and tips
Pitch, climate and conditions
Houston Stadium is a fully enclosed, climate-controlled venue when the retractable roof is closed. Outside, Houston in June and July averages 34C+ with extreme humidity, but inside the stadium, conditions are perfectly consistent: no wind, no rain, no heat stress. This eliminates weather as a variable and creates a level playing field where team quality and preparation matter most.
A temporary natural grass pitch will be installed for the tournament. Under indoor conditions, the surface is expected to play fast and true, similar to other indoor venues like Atlanta Stadium and Dallas Stadium.
Odds on the WC 2026 betting page update in real time.
Recommended markets for matches at Houston Stadium
The predictable indoor conditions at Houston Stadium tend to favour pre-match favourites. Key markets:
- Match Result: Without weather disruption, the stronger team on paper tends to deliver. Pre-match favourites have historically performed well at indoor venues. Germany and Portugal are both expected to dominate their group matches here.
- Over 2.5 Goals: Indoor conditions support attacking football. With no physical drain from heat, teams maintain their pressing intensity throughout.
- Correct Score: The predictability of indoor conditions makes score-line forecasting slightly more reliable than at weather-dependent venues.
- Player Props: With comfortable conditions, star players can perform at their peak. Anytime Goalscorer markets on Ronaldo, Musiala or Haller are worth watching.
The BetBuilder lets you combine match result, goalscorer and statistical predictions into a single selection.
Please note: displayed odds may have changed since publication and are subject to updates.
Houston Stadium: history and football heritage
Houston Stadium opened in 2002 as the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof, setting the template for climate-controlled stadiums across the United States. It was originally called Reliant Stadium before being renamed in 2014.
Houston Stadium hosted Super Bowl LI (2017), one of the most famous games in NFL history, where the New England Patriots completed a 25-point comeback against the Atlanta Falcons. The venue has also hosted multiple Copa America and Gold Cup matches, establishing Houston as a major football market.
Houston's football culture runs deep. The city has one of the largest Mexican-American populations in the US, and Liga MX matches at NRG regularly draw massive crowds. The Houston Dynamo (MLS) play nearby at Shell Energy Stadium, further supporting the region's football ecosystem.
Time zones and kick-off times for Europe and Brazil
Houston Stadium operates on Central Daylight Time (CDT / UTC-5) during the summer. For viewers across Napoleon Sports and Napoleon markets:
- Belgium, Poland, Serbia (CEST): -7 hours
- Romania, Greece (EEST): -8 hours
- Brazil (BRT): -2 hours
| Match | ET | CEST BE/PL/RS |
EEST RO/GR |
BRT BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany vs. Curaçao | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| Portugal vs. DR Congo | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| Ivory Coast vs. Germany | 7:00 PM | 01:00 (+1) | 02:00 (+1) | 20:00 |
| Round of 32 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
| Round of 16 | 1:00 PM | 19:00 | 20:00 | 14:00 |
Excellent news for European fans. Houston Stadium is one of the most viewer-friendly venues in the tournament: six of seven matches kick off at 19:00 CEST (20:00 EEST), perfect early-evening viewing. Only the final group match (Ivory Coast vs. Germany) falls after midnight CEST.
For Brazilian fans, all matches fall between 14:00 and 20:00 BRT, ideal afternoon viewing.
For the one late European match, the BetBuilder lets you build your pre-match combination. Features like 1UP early payout settle your bet early.
For the prime-time matches, follow the action via the live centre. See all WC 2026 kick-off times converted to your time zone.
Fan guide: Visiting Houston for the tournament
Getting to Houston Stadium
Houston Stadium is located within NRG Park, approximately 10 km south of downtown Houston.
- By air: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is roughly 40 km north. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is closer at about 15 km.
- By rail: The METRORail Red Line connects downtown Houston directly to NRG Park, with a stop at the stadium complex.
- By car: Accessible via Loop 610 and US-59, with extensive parking on-site.
Weather in Houston during June and July
Houston summers are extremely hot and humid, with temperatures between 33C and 37C and humidity often exceeding 80%. However, Houston Stadium's retractable roof is always closed during summer, so match conditions inside are fully controlled. Dress for the extreme outdoor heat when travelling.
Houston highlights beyond the football
Houston is America's fourth-largest city with a diverse cultural scene:
- Space Center Houston - the official visitor centre of NASA's Johnson Space Center
- Museum District - 19 museums within walking distance, many with free admission
- Tex-Mex and Vietnamese food - Houston has one of the most diverse food scenes in the US
- Buffalo Bayou Park - urban greenspace along the bayou
- Galveston Island - beaches and historic district, about an hour south
Public transport: Ideaal bereikbaar met de METRO Rail Red Line, stap uit bij halte Stadium Park/Astrodome net buiten het terrein.
Nearest airport: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), about 18 km from the stadium.
Fan zone: Discovery Green.
FAQ about Houston Stadium at WC 2026
What is the capacity of Houston Stadium for the tournament?
Houston Stadium will hold approximately 72,000 fans for the tournament matches.
How many WC 2026 matches are scheduled at Houston Stadium?
Seven matches: five group stage fixtures, one Round of 32 and one Round of 16. See the full schedule for dates.
Does Houston Stadium have a roof?
Yes. Houston Stadium has a retractable roof and was the first NFL stadium built with one (2002). During Houston's extreme summer heat, the roof is always closed with full air conditioning.
What time zone is Houston Stadium in?
CDT (UTC-5) during summer. CEST (Belgium, Poland, Serbia): -7 hours. EEST (Romania, Greece): -8 hours. BRT (Brazil): -2 hours. Six of seven matches kick off at 19:00 CEST.
Has Houston Stadium hosted a the tournament before?
No. The venue hosted Super Bowl LI (2017), Copa America and Gold Cup matches.
Why is Houston Stadium called "Houston Stadium" during the tournament?
Tournament regulations prohibit commercial stadium names during the event.
What surface does Houston Stadium use?
Normally artificial turf. A temporary natural grass pitch will be installed for the WC 2026.
Play responsibly. Napoleon Sports is licensed by the Belgian Gaming Commission. 21+. For support, visit stopoptijd.be.