Houston is on the 2026 FIFA World Cup map, and NRG Stadium will host seven matches, including a Round of 32 game and a Round of 16 game. Soccer heavyweights Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands all play in town, so Texas fans are in for a strong slate from mid-June into July. This Houston game day guide gives you the full NRG Stadium schedule in Central Time, the parking and METRORail details to reach the gates, and directions to the official Fan Festival in EaDo.
The venue, branded Houston Stadium for the tournament, sits in the NRG Park complex south of downtown. Parking is plentiful but goes fast on event days, so the smart play is the METRORail Red Line, which stops right next to the stadium. For fans without tickets, the Fan Festival downtown runs all 39 days and is free to enter.
Here is your scannable schedule, parking and transit plan, and fan-zone directions for the World Cup in Houston.
⚡ Quick tip: Print the free Houston World Cup schedule PDF or open the full Houston host-city guide for fixtures, fan experience details, and stadium policies.
NRG Stadium 2026 World Cup Matches at a Glance
NRG Stadium hosts five group-stage matches, one Round of 32 game, and one Round of 16 game. Kickoff times below are in Central Time, the local Houston clock, with the Eastern Time equivalent in brackets. Knockout opponents and times are confirmed once the group stage finishes.
| Date | Matchup | Round | Kickoff (CT) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jun 14 | Germany vs Curacao | Group E | 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET) | FOX |
| Wed, Jun 17 | Portugal vs DR Congo | Group K | 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET) | FOX |
| Sat, Jun 20 | Netherlands vs Sweden | Group F | 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET) | FOX |
| Tue, Jun 23 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Group K | 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET) | FOX |
| Fri, Jun 26 | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | Group H | 7:00 PM CT (8:00 PM ET) | FS1 |
| Mon, Jun 29 | Winner Group C vs 2nd Place Group F | Round of 32 | TBD | FOX/FS1 |
| Sat, Jul 4 | Round of 16: TBD vs TBD | Round of 16 | TBD | FOX/FS1 |
Nations Playing at NRG Stadium
Nine national teams are scheduled to appear in Houston across the group-stage matches. Tap any nation for its full 2026 World Cup schedule.
Getting to NRG Stadium: Parking and METRORail
NRG Stadium is at 1 NRG Parkway in the NRG Park complex, south of downtown Houston. On event days the train beats the traffic, since the lots fill up and exiting after a sellout can be slow.
- METRORail Red Line: Ride south to the Stadium Park/Astrodome station, which sits right next to NRG Stadium. This is the recommended route.
- Rideshare: A drop-off from downtown takes about 15 minutes outside of peak traffic.
- Parking: NRG Park parking is plentiful but fills on event days and requires pre-purchase, so book ahead or take the Red Line.
- Stadium policies: Expect a clear-bag policy, airport-style security screening, and cashless concessions, in line with FIFA venue standards.
🚂 Game day alert: NRG Park parking must be pre-purchased and sells out on match days. Buy your parking pass in advance or plan to ride the METRORail Red Line, and give yourself extra time through security before kickoff.
Houston FIFA Fan Festival in EaDo
If you do not have a match ticket, the official FIFA Fan Festival is the place to gather. Houston is hosting it in East Downtown (EaDo), just east of the central business district.
- Location: East Downtown (EaDo), 2301 Dallas Street, Houston.
- Entry: Free general admission.
- Dates: A 39-day festival running June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the whole tournament.
- What to expect: Live broadcasts of every match on large screens, cultural performances, interactive installations, and local food vendors.
- Getting there: EaDo is served by the METRORail Green Line at the EaDo/Stadium station.
Where to Watch in Houston on Match Days
Houston is a deep sports town, so there is no shortage of places to watch beyond the Fan Festival. Use these pointers to plan a watch party.
- EaDo Fan Festival: The main public watch zone, with the biggest screens and tournament atmosphere.
- Downtown and Midtown: Sports bars and patios cluster along the rail line, an easy ride from the festival.
- The Heights and Washington Avenue: Larger bars with multiple screens are a good bet for the marquee group games.
- Arrive early for big games: Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands will draw crowds, so claim a spot well before kickoff.
More 2026 World Cup Resources
- Houston host-city schedule and fan experience guide
- All 16 host city schedules
- Central Time (CT) schedule hub
- Full match times for every US time zone
- Printable 48-team World Cup pickem sheet
- Live 2026 World Cup standings
- Master roster directory with printable squad PDFs
- 2026 FIFA World Cup central hub
Houston World Cup FAQ
How many World Cup matches are in Houston?
NRG Stadium hosts seven 2026 World Cup matches: five group-stage games, one Round of 32 match on June 29, and a Round of 16 match on July 4.
Where is the Houston World Cup stadium?
Matches are played at NRG Stadium, branded Houston Stadium for the tournament, at 1 NRG Parkway in the NRG Park complex south of downtown Houston.
What is the best way to get to NRG Stadium?
Ride the METRORail Red Line to the Stadium Park/Astrodome station, which sits next to NRG Stadium. NRG Park parking fills on event days and requires pre-purchase, so the train is the recommended option.
Where is the Houston FIFA Fan Festival?
The official Fan Festival is in East Downtown (EaDo) at 2301 Dallas Street, served by the METRORail Green Line. Entry is free, and it runs June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Which teams play in Houston?
Nine nations are scheduled at NRG Stadium: Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden, Curacao, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia, plus the knockout teams confirmed after the group stage.
For official venue and host city information, see the FIFA 2026 Houston host city page.
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