Houston, Texas
Your Complete 2026 World Cup Guide
At a Glance
- Location
- Houston, Texas, USA
- Population
- 2.3 million
- Time Zone
- CDT (UTC-5)
- Stadiums
- 1 venue
- Matches Hosted
- 7 matches
- Best Way to Get Around
- METRORail Red Line
Last Updated: by KickoffAdventures Editorial Team
Overview
NRG Stadium in Houston will host 7 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, including 5 Group Stage matches (June 14, 17, 20, 23, 26), a Round of 32 match (June 29), and a Round of 16 match (July 4). As America's 'Energy Capital' and 'Space City,' Houston is a sprawling metropolis known for diversity, incredible food, and NASA.
The city is massive—larger than New Jersey in land area. Logistics are key. The METRORail Red Line is the golden ticket for fans, connecting Downtown hotels directly to the stadium. Unlike other Texas cities, you can survive here without a car if you stay along the rail line, but visiting NASA or the Galleria requires wheels. Prepare for extreme heat, but enjoy world-class museums and the best Viet-Cajun crawfish on the planet.
The Rodeo Factor: If you see 'Rodeo' references everywhere, it's because NRG Stadium hosts the world's largest Rodeo every March. The stadium complex is massive—it's built for cattle and cars, which explains the sprawling parking lots and infrastructure.
⚽World Cup Stadium
Getting Around
The Sprawl Reality: Houston is huge. It takes an hour to drive from one side to the other.
The Rail Solution: Stay Downtown or in the Museum District. Use the METRORail Red Line to get to the match. Download the METRO Q-Ticketing app for instant $3 Day Pass purchases (no physical card fee). The train drops you right at NRG Park.
The Car Question: Do not rent a car just for the match. Only rent one if you plan to drive to NASA (Clear Lake) or Galveston (Beach). Parking at NRG is expensive and exiting is slow.
Where to Stay
Best Strategic Location: Downtown. You have the Red Line to the stadium, plenty of hotels, and the tunnel system to escape the heat.
Best Vibe: Montrose. Cool cafes, gay bars, and indie shops, but you'll need to Uber to the rail line or stadium.
Best Luxury/Shopping: Galleria. Great hotels but terrible traffic (610 Loop) and no rail access.
Neighborhood Breakdown
Downtown Houston
Best For
Stadium access via METRORail, business travelers, nightlife
Distance to Stadium
7 miles
Travel Time
25 min METRORail Red Line
Pros
- •Direct METRORail Red Line to NRG Stadium (20-30 mins)
- •Walkable to Minute Maid Park (Astros) and Toyota Center
- •Tunnel system connects buildings (stay cool in summer)
- •Marriott Marquis with Texas-shaped lazy river
- •Discovery Green park events
Cons
- •Can feel empty on weekends if no events
- •Expensive parking ($30-50/night)
- •Concrete jungle feel (hot)
- •Homeless population in certain areas
Galleria / Uptown
Best For
Shopping, luxury travelers, foodies
Distance to Stadium
8 miles
Travel Time
30-45 min rideshare (heavy traffic)
Pros
- •Houston's premier shopping district (The Galleria mall)
- •High concentration of luxury hotels (Post Oak, JW Marriott)
- •Incredible dining scene (Nobu, Caracol, Fig & Olive)
- •Safe and bustling atmosphere
- •Waterwall Park photo op
Cons
- •Traffic is notoriously bad (610 Loop)
- •No direct rail to stadium (must take bus or rideshare)
- •Expensive hotels and dining
- •Not very walkable outside the mall area
Montrose
Best For
Culture, LGBTQ+ friendly, indie vibes, art lovers
Distance to Stadium
5 miles
Travel Time
20-30 min rideshare
Pros
- •Coolest neighborhood in Houston (indie shops, cafes)
- •Walkable pockets with great character
- •Home to The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel
- •Best coffee shops and brunch spots
- •Vibrant nightlife
Cons
- •Fewer large hotels (mostly boutique or Airbnbs)
- •No direct rail to stadium
- •Street parking can be difficult
- •Older infrastructure
Museum District / Med Center
Best For
Families, museum goers, quiet stay
Distance to Stadium
3 miles
Travel Time
15 min METRORail Red Line
Pros
- •Home to Hermann Park and Houston Zoo
- •Walkable to 19 museums
- •Direct METRORail Red Line to Stadium (10-15 mins)
- •Beautiful tree-lined streets
- •Quieter at night
Cons
- •Very quiet nightlife (closes early)
- •Fewer hotel options than Downtown
- •Restaurant selection limited compared to Montrose
- •Medical Center traffic can be confusing
Energy Corridor
Best For
Budget travelers, car renters
Distance to Stadium
18 miles
Travel Time
40-60 min drive
Pros
- •Significantly cheaper hotels
- •Good if you have a rental car
- •Safe suburban feel
- •Close to CityCentre (dining/shopping)
Cons
- •Far from stadium (15-20 miles)
- •Requires driving on I-10 (massive freeway)
- •Zero walkability
- •Disconnect from city culture
Top Things to Do
Space Center Houston is the non-negotiable attraction. Book the Mission Control tour specifically—it's often a separate add-on beyond general admission. Tram tours of Johnson Space Center fill up, so book in advance. The Museum District offers 19 museums in a walkable zone (Museum of Natural Science has free entry Tuesdays 5-8 PM). For a break from the heat, visit the Downtown Tunnels (6 miles of underground shops) or The Galleria for ice skating and shopping.
Must-See Attractions
Space Center Houston (NASA)
The official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center. See the actual Mission Control from the Apollo era, touch a moon rock, and see the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The tram tour takes you into the working government facility where astronauts train. **Pro Tip: Book the 'Mission Control' tour specifically if you want to see the iconic Apollo-era room—it often requires a separate reservation or add-on fee beyond general admission.** Absolute must-do.
Cost
$30-35 adults (Mission Control tour may be extra)
Time Needed
4-6 hours
Best Time
Weekday mornings (arrive at opening)
How to Get There
Rental car or Uber (30-40 min from Downtown). No convenient public transit.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
One of the most visited museums in the US. Features a massive Paleontology Hall (dinosaurs), a stunning Gem & Mineral Hall, a Butterfly Center, and a Planetarium. Located in Hermann Park.
Cost
$25 adults
Time Needed
3-4 hours
Best Time
Tuesday evenings (Free entry 5-8 PM)
How to Get There
METRORail Red Line to Museum District Station
The Galleria
Texas' largest shopping mall. It has an indoor ice skating rink, 400+ stores ranging from H&M to Chanel, and two attached hotels. It is an architectural landmark and a great place to escape the heat.
Cost
Free (shopping extra)
Time Needed
2-3 hours
Best Time
Weekdays
How to Get There
Rideshare (Westheimer traffic is heavy)
Buffalo Bayou Park
160-acre green space stretching from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street. Offers skyline views, hike/bike trails, kayak rentals, and the underground Cistern tours. A beautiful urban revitalization project.
Cost
Free (Cistern tour $10)
Time Needed
1-2 hours
Best Time
Sunset or early morning (too hot mid-day)
How to Get There
Walkable from parts of Downtown or short Uber
Weather & When to Visit
High
94°F
(34°C)
Low
77°F
(25°C)
Rain
9 days/month
Humidity
75-90%
Survival Guide:
- The Heat: It is brutal. 95°F is normal. Humidity is 90%.
- The AC: Texans blast AC. Bring a light sweater for inside museums and the stadium.
- Hydrate: Drink water constantly.
- Mosquitos: They are big here. Bring bug spray if outdoors at dusk.
Money-Saving Tips
- Download the METRO Q-Ticketing App to buy $3 Day Passes instantly (no physical card fee).
- Visit the Museum of Natural Science on Tuesdays (Free 5-8 PM).
- Eat in Chinatown (Bellaire Blvd) or 'Little India' (Hillcroft) for massive portions under $15.
- Avoid staying near the Galleria if you are on a strict budget; try Energy Corridor (if you have a car).
- Happy Hour is a religion here; look for 'Steak Night' specials at bars (often $20 for steak/beer).
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Population
7.3 million (metro)
Time Zone
CDT (UTC-5)
Currency
USD ($)
Language
English, Spanish, Vietnamese
Emergency
911
Major Airports
IAH - 25 mi