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Houston, USA, 2026 World Cup City Guide
Everything you need to know about visiting Houston for the 2026 World Cup 🚀
✒️ By the worldcup-travel.com team | 📅 Updated 2 June 2025
Howdy! Heading to Houston for the 2026 World Cup? Our Houston city guide is here to facilitate your experience with everything a football fan might need. From what to do in the city, information about transportation, and tips to get you to and from NRG Stadium (officially coined “Houston Stadium” by FIFA), our guide will help you navigate Houston’s many hotels and accommodations, car and house rentals, public transportation in and around the city, and so much more. This will be your roadmap for planning an easy, convenient visit to Houston for the 2026 World Cup.
Learn more about visiting Houston for the World Cup
A fusion of fine things: Houston hosts the 2026 World Cup
Houston is one of the most diverse metropolitan cities in the US, making it a fun, exciting destination for travelers everywhere. In Houston, no single ethnic group forms a majority, which means you’ll find a huge blend of cultures reflected in its food, festivals, neighborhoods, and even the languages spoken around town. There’s an incredible global feel, mixed with that classic Texas hospitality.
Houston is a vibrant sports city as well, boasting a diverse landscape of professional, amateur, and college sports teams. The big ones include baseball team (MLB) Houston Astros, football team (NFL) Houston Texans, basketball team (NBA) Houston Rockets, and both men and women’s soccer (MLS) teams, Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash, respectively. The two teams play at Shell Energy Stadium, the first soccer-specific arena built in a US metropolitan city.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Houston. For the 2026 World Cup, the EaDo (East Downtown) neighborhood will host the official FIFA Fan Festival, which will offer live match broadcasts, entertainment, and cultural activities, reflecting Houston's diverse community.​
You can tour parts of NASA if you visit, as Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center ("Houston, we have a problem" comes from here!). Houston’s Museum District also has many world-class museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Plus, public art is everywhere, with murals, sculptures, and pop-up exhibits splashed all over the city.
Food in Houston is wildly delicious and way more varied than the quintessential Texas BBQ. Think authentic Vietnamese, Mexican, Nigerian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and even fusion styles that you can't easily find elsewhere.
But let’s get down to business: You’re here for the 2026 World Cup, and Houston is getting ready for your visit. To meet FIFA standards, Houston Stadium is currently undergoing significant enhancements to ensure the comfort of spectators who have traveled far and wide to catch 2026 World Cup action.
Houston 2026 World Cup FAQs
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Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium) is located in the NRG Park complex approximately six miles (about 10 km) south of Downtown Houston. It's situated near the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city. The METRORail Red Line provides a direct route to the stadium. Disembark at the NRG Park Station.
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MLS Houston Dynamo FC – Two-time MLS champions!
NWSL: Houston Dash
USL: USL League Two's Lone Star division has three teams from the Houston area: AC Houston Sur, AHFC Royals, and Houston FC.
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Dallas (284 miles stadium-to-stadium)
Monterrey, Mexico (470 miles stadium-to-stadium)
Kansas City (750 miles stadium-to-stadium)
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Seven 2026 World Cup games in total will be played in Houston: Five group games, one Round of 32, and one Round of 16.
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Houston in June and July is hot and humid. Expect daytime highs between 88°F and 96°F (31°C-36°C) with high humidity, making it feel even warmer.
Nights stay warm, around the mid- to high-70s°F (23°C-26°C). Quick afternoon thunderstorms are common, but usually pass fast. June is the start of hurricane season, though major storms are rare this early. Visitors should pack light and wear breathable clothing, sunscreen and a hat.
Which 2026 World Cup matches will be held in Houston?
Match 10 – Sunday, June 14, 2026 – Group Stage (Group E)
Match 23 – Wednesday, June 17, 2026 – Group Stage (Group K)
Match 35 – Saturday, June 20, 2026 – Group Stage (Group F)
Match 47 – Tuesday, June 23, 2026 – Group Stage (Group K)
Match 65 – Friday, June 26, 2026 – Group Stage (Group H)
Match 76 – Monday, June 29, 2026 – Round of 32 (Knockout stage)
Match 90 – Saturday, July 4, 2026 – Round of 16 (Knockout stage)
Visiting Houston for the 2026 World Cup
In honor of the 2026 World Cup, Houston will be throwing the party of the decade, which means the influx of people is sure to cause some hiccups. To stay one step ahead of the game, be prepared for anything the city might throw at you, even something as simple as the weather. Houston’s weather is unpredictable to say the least. It’s a hot city, but it’s also incredibly humid and prone to year-round rainfall. While Houston Stadium is air conditioned, the outdoor fan zones and transit areas might lack sufficient shade or rain coverage, so equip yourself accordingly.
The heavy influx of fans will most likely put a strain on Houston's transportation infrastructure. While the METRORail light rail offers a convenient public transit option, the increased demand throughout the tournament could lead to delays. Driving might also be challenging due to traffic congestion and limited parking near Houston Stadium.
The anticipated surge in visitors will also impact local resources, including hotels, restaurants, and public services, so it’s best to book your Houston accomodations well in advance of the 2026 World Cup games.
Doing Houston like a local
Locals enjoy Houston for its comfortable, laid-back pace, diverse culture, delicious food, and outdoor fun. A typical day might start with a coffee and a kolache (a Czech pastry) or a breakfast taco from a neighborhood joint before visiting a museum, like the Menil Collection, or taking a stroll through Buffalo Bayou Park.
Food is a huge part of life here. Houstonians love eating everything from tacos to Viet-Cajun crawfish, often at family-run establishments and hole-in-the-wall gems. For a casual beer, hit up Alabama Ice House, and grab tacos from neighboring food truck Tacos Tierra Caliente. Or show off your tattoos at Poison Girl, before or after a game of pinball. Live music is a big draw too, whether it’s at a cozy jazz club or concert venue like White Oak Music Hall.
Mega Mall-lovers head for The Galleria but most Houston locals prefer a more unique shopping experience in cute, quirky neighborhoods like the Heights, which houses amazing vintage boutiques, antique stores, and artisanal cafés. Don’t forget to hit up Montrose for the bar scene, or find a food truck park for that authentic Houston summer vibe.
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