It’s no secret that traffic in Houston will worsen this summer with the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and FIFA Fan Festival.
Major sporting events like this have the potential to increase nearby traffic between 20 and 40 percent, according to the Houston Chronicle. Officials expect congestion to rise along Loop 610, Interstate 45 and U.S. 59 downtown.
While the World Cup will certainly draw larger crowds to Houston, it isn’t the only event that will pump the brakes across city streets and freeways. Several other large-scale events are taking place throughout June and July, likely to put more wheels on the pavement.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council launched a website to help curb the problem—or at least help locals plan in advance for high-traffic days. Designed for employers and commuters, the website offers commute options, planning tools and a breakdown of Houston’s busy schedule over the next two months.
Looking at the Commuter Game Plan schedule, these six days are likely to snarl traffic across Houston and drivers should plan ahead:
The World Cup matches have left Houston, but the rest of the party still continues.