Houston will be showcased in many different ways during the 39-day tournament, which starts June 11 and runs through July 19. Matches will take place at NRG Stadium, known as Houston Stadium during the tournament. <\/a> A fan festival is taking over EaDo. Watch parties will take place throughout the city. Public transportation and roadways will be under a spotlight.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The city will be enveloped in soccer for more than a month.<\/p>\n But that doesn\u2019t mean the World Cup will be daunting for visitors and locals to navigate. The Chronicle has coverage that can help you enjoy the Houston summer how you want, whether it\u2019s as an excited traveler watching your team, a local enjoying the spectacle, a Houstonian who wants to avoid downtown at all costs or anything in between.<\/p>\n FILTERS+Getting There+Cost +Safety and Security+Fan Events+Eat and Drink +The Tournament Only show results that match all filters<\/p>\n Getting There<\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything drivers should know, <\/a> including the parts of Houston that will have the worst traffic, what days roads will be most congested, public transit options and rideshare services. <\/p>\n Getting There<\/p>\n Transportation officials hope more people get out of their cars and consider alternative transportation options during the World Cup. Anyone planning to ride public transit in Houston can anticipate boosted service and extended hours across its rail and bus networks. Key days will have 24-hour rail operations. \u2060<\/p>\n The Red Line, which has the Stadium Park\/Astrodome rail station for anyone trying to get to NRG Stadium, will arrive every six minutes during peak periods with two-car trains to maximize capacity. \u2060<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Fan Events<\/p>\n A giant soccer ball next to one of the tent venues along the the media tour of the FIFA Fan Festival grounds south of Shell Energy Stadium Friday, May. 29, 2026 in Houston.<\/p>\n Michael Wyke Run by Houston’s local host committee for the World Cup, the Fan Fest will serve as a gathering place for fans to watch games, have fun and experience Houston culture.\u00a0Here’s everything to know about the 34-day festival <\/a> located over a multiple-block stretch in EaDo just south of Shell Energy Stadium.<\/p>\n Fan Events<\/p>\n Here are a few suggestions on what to carry for the Fan Fest that will run for 34 days.\u2060<\/p>\n Fan Events<\/p>\n Supporters of Netherlands during their famous fan parade walk prior the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n Netherlands fans will start their iconic Oranje Fanwalk at Rice University before embarking on a 2.5-mile walk to NRG Stadium for their World Cup match versus Sweden on June 20. Here’s what to know about the beloved orange spectacle that will take over Houston streets soon.<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Fan Events<\/p>\n Soccer fans gather to watch the 2022 Fifa World Cup on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at Pitch 25 in Houston.\n<\/p>\n Raquel Natalicchio<\/p>\n Across Houston, bars, restaurants and venues are hosting watch parties, themed specials and soccer-inspired events. Here’s where to go. <\/a><\/p>\n Fan Events<\/p>\n A soccer fan watches the FIFA Women’s World Cup final game between the United States and the Netherlands at The Phoenix on Westheimer Road on Sunday, July 7, 2019, in Houston.<\/p>\n Marie D. De Jes\u00fas<\/p>\n The local chapter of American Outlaws, the main U.S. soccer supporters group, will hold its World Cup watch parties at the Phoenix on Westheimer. <\/a>Josh Spencer, Houston chapter president, expects the Montrose bar to be packed and recommends fans who want to watch U.S. men’s national team matches should arrive well before kickoff time if they want to get into the bar.<\/p>\n Cost <\/p>\n With just days until the start of the 2026\u00a0FIFA World Cup, the June 26 match in Houston between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia is the currently the cheapest ticket available. Here’s the latest on ticket prices. <\/a><\/p>\n Eat and Drink <\/p>\n The Whole Truth platter and carrot cake at Truth BBQ<\/p>\n Annie Mulligan Black Star bowl at ChopnBlok<\/p>\n Zaranda is named for a wire basket used to cook seafood, like this fish, over hot coals.<\/p>\n For World Cup visitors and anyone new to town, our ultimate guide to the most Houston restaurants <\/a> is organized by cuiseine, with recommendations for barbecue, Tex-Mex, Mexican, Viet-Cajun, Southern food, steakhouses and global flavors.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Eat and Drink <\/p>\n The Kofta Burger with tomato, pickled onion, tzatziki, sesame bun, wedge fries and smoked halloumi at the Lymbar<\/p>\n Karen Warren Memelita is shown at Late August in Houston, Monday, March 16, 2026<\/p>\n Brett Coomer Sunny’s bar, 902 Capitol, is a popular downtown Houston dive bar.<\/p>\n Greg Morago<\/p>\n There are plenty of watering holes for visitors using the MetroRail\u2019s red line running to NRG Stadium where the games take place. We traveled up and down the key red line to identify good restaurant and bar choices \u2014 within a block or two walking distance from stations \u2014 between downtown and NRG. Preston, Central Station Main and Ensemble\/HCC stops in particular had the greatest concentration of options. Here are our recommendations for where to catch a bite and a drink along the rail stops. <\/a><\/p>\n Eat and Drink <\/p>\n Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife’\u00a0is on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, through Sept. 7, 2026.<\/p>\n Albert Sanchez Zoo staff tour the sea lion tunnel as they get their first look at Houston Zoo\u2019s Gal\u00e1pagos Islands exhibit.<\/p>\n Brett Coomer People enjoy the bumper boats at Discovery Green in downtown Houston on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Sunday, June 1, 2025.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Conley<\/p>\n Spending 72 hours in Houston? Here’s what FIFA World Cup visitors should do in <\/a> Montrose, downtown Houston, the Museum District and EaDo, according to a local. We’ve organized this list by neighborhood around the Houston Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival, as well as what to do before and after kickoff. <\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Safety and Security<\/p>\n Flyers noticed no interruption to their travel experience at George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal E in Houston on Thursday, May 28.<\/p>\n Jarrod Wardwell<\/p>\n Here’s what to know about the new Ebola screening process at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, <\/a>one of three designated entry points for certain travelers who recently visited outbreak-affected countries.<\/p>\n Safety and Security<\/p>\n Houston Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Tran speaks to the Houston city council in Houston, Wednesday, May 27, 2026.<\/p>\n Jill Karnicki<\/p>\n A DR Congo spokesperson\u00a0told the Chronicle that the outbreak will have no impact on the team’s arrival in Houston. <\/a>Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the county is going to be having regular meetings with health officials. <\/p>\n Safety and Security<\/p>\n Houston hospitals spent more than a year preparing for World Cup health challenges, from an influx of patients to potential infectious diseases such as Ebola. Here’s how hospitals across the greater Houston region have prepped, <\/a>from managing staffing levels and monitoring for infectious diseases to navigating language barriers and spreading awareness about human trafficking. <\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Safety and Security<\/p>\n Crowds explore the FIFA Fan Festival Houston during a preview event ahead of the festival\u2019s public opening in East Downtown Houston, Tuesday, June 9, 2026.<\/p>\n Raquel Natalicchio<\/p>\n The Houston Police Department is coordinating the response of numerous law enforcement agencies for the event, and helping to staff a unified command center that will operate around the clock throughout the tournament.\u00a0HPD officers have been notified that days off have been canceled for the duration of the local matches, said Greg\u00a0Fremin, a former HPD captain and criminology professor. And some units are working 12-hour shifts daily, said Domingo Garcia, executive director of HPD’s Organization of Spanish-Speaking Officers. Here’s a look into\u00a0Houston’s preparations to host one of the world’s marquee cultural events.<\/a> <\/p>\n The Tournament <\/p>\n The FIFA World Cup trophy on display during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Helix Park in Houston on Sunday, May 3, 2026.<\/p>\n Peter Warren<\/p>\n The World Cup can be a lot for even a relatively in-tune soccer fan to handle, let alone someone engaging with the sport for the first time. That’s before even diving into all the activity going on in Houston. This explainer covers the basics of the tournament, <\/a>key rules, the new 48-team format and the soccer terms you’ll hear throughout the month. Consider it your cheat sheet for following the world’s most-watched sporting event.<\/p>\n The Tournament <\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal during the Republic of Ireland V Portugal, 2026 World Cup Qualifying – UEFA, Group Stage match at Aviva Stadium on November 13th, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. <\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n Some of the best soccer players in the world will be in Houston for the games. While the European powers will have the strongest rosters, there are notable players from every single team that is coming to Houston. Here are the big names to look out for. <\/a><\/p>\n The Tournament <\/p>\n The sun shines through a missing panel in the roof of NRG Stadium, caused by Hurricane Beryl, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Houston.<\/p>\n Brett Coomer<\/p>\n NRG is one of three U.S. stadiums with a retractable roof hosting World Cup games, along with AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The roof will remained closed during the entire tournament, <\/a>though, in an effort to keep the grass field cool. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Raquel Natalicchio
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