HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Preparations are underway as NRG Stadium, home to the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, undergoes required changes to host seven FIFA World Cup matches as part of the summer’s biggest sporting tournament.
ABC13’s SkyEye flew over the stadium on Friday, where crews were seen removing all designated signage and sponsorships. This is due to strict FIFA guidelines requiring all host stadiums to remove any long-standing corporate sponsors for the scheduled events.
It goes for sponsor branding inside the stadium as well.
In addition to physical changes, the name goes as well. Instead of what we know as “NRG Stadium”, for the World Cup, it will simply be branded as “Houston Stadium.”
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NRG is expected to host seven matches, including two knockout matches. The stadium, which opened in 2002, holds a capacity of 72,000 spectators and is located next to the 8th Wonder of the World, the Astrodome.
The 104-game tournament begins on Sunday, June 14. Five group-stage fixtures featuring Germany, Curaao, Portugal, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Cabo Verde, and Saudi Arabia will be held at NRG , as will one Round of 32 tie and a Round of 16 clash.
According to the FIFA website, other stadiums that have undergone rebranding so far include LA’s SoFi Stadium, Dallas’s AT&T Stadium, and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
The turnaround for NRG’s rebranding will be quick. Following the conclusion of the World Cup, the stadium will have to immediately begin branding again to prepare for the Houston Texans’ 2026-2027 season.
Our ABC13 partners at the Houston Chronicle report that it will cost upwards towards $1 million for the changes.
For more FIFA-related news, keep updated on the ABC13 website.
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