NRG Stadium facts for kids
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Interior of NRG Stadium in February 2017 prior to Super Bowl LI
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 NRG Stadium
Location in Texas
NRG Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Reliant Stadium (2002–2014) Houston Stadium (name to be used during the 2026 FIFA World Cup) |
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| Address | 1 NRG Parkway |
| Location | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Coordinates | 29°41′5″N 95°24′39″W / 29.68472°N 95.41083°W |
| Public transit |  Stadium Park/Astrodome |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Executive suites | 196 |
| Capacity | 72,220 (2018–present) Expandable to 80,000 for special events Former capacity: List
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| Record attendance | 80,108 – George Strait — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 17, 2019 |
| Surface | Hellas Matrix Helix |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 9, 2000 |
| Opened | August 24, 2002 |
| Construction cost | US$352 million ($573 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | HOK Sport Houston Stadium Consultants (Architect-of-Record) a joint venture with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam and Hermes Architects |
| Structural engineer | Walter P. Moore |
| Services engineer | M-E Engineers, Inc. |
| General contractor | Manhattan/Beers (a joint venture) |
| Tenants | |
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NRG Stadium is a huge sports and event center in Houston, Texas. It was built in 2002 and cost about $352 million. This stadium can hold over 72,000 people and was the first NFL stadium to have a roof that can open and close!
It's the home field for the Houston Texans football team. Many other exciting events happen here too. These include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Texas Bowl, and big soccer games. NRG Stadium has also hosted two Super Bowls, WrestleMania 25, and the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. It will also be a host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
NRG Stadium is part of a larger area called NRG Park, which also includes the famous Astrodome. The entire complex is named after NRG Energy, a company that made a big deal to have its name on the park.
Contents
History of NRG Stadium
Building a New Stadium
In 1997, a group called Houston NFL Holdings wanted to build a new football stadium. They worked with architects to design the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof. The goal was to create a stadium that felt open-air but was also comfortable inside. It was designed to be big enough for both football and the huge rodeo.
Construction started on March 9, 2000. The main structure was finished in October 2001, and the whole building was completed in just 30 months.
Opening Day and Early Events
The stadium officially opened on August 24, 2002. The first game was a preseason match between the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans. The Dolphins won that game 24–3.
The first regular season NFL game was on September 8, 2002. The Houston Texans played against their state rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans won 19–10, which was a great start for the new team! The first rodeo event was held in the stadium in February 2003.
Name Change and Field Upgrades
On March 19, 2014, the stadium's name changed from Reliant Stadium to NRG Stadium. This happened because NRG Energy became the main sponsor.
In 2015, the stadium got a new artificial turf field. Before that, it used natural grass that was grown in trays. The new artificial turf, called Hellas Matrix Turf with Helix Technology, was installed to improve playing conditions.
Recent Updates and Special Events
After hosting Super Bowl LI in 2017, the stadium received many upgrades. These improvements helped keep it modern and competitive with other NFL venues.
On April 19, 2023, the stadium was temporarily renamed "NRG Stadium (Taylor's Version)". This was done to celebrate Taylor Swift's popular The Eras Tour concerts there.
On December 25, 2024, Beyoncé headlined the first-ever halftime show for the NFL's Christmas Gameday at NRG Stadium.
Hurricane Ike's Impact
In September 2008, Hurricane Ike caused some damage to the stadium. Part of the roof covering came off, and there was wind and water damage inside. The Houston Texans' home opener had to be postponed.
The stadium was repaired, and the Texans were able to play their home games with the roof open. It reopened on October 5, 2008, for a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Stadium Design and Technology
NRG Stadium was designed by several architectural and engineering firms. They worked together to create a stadium that felt open and modern. It uses a lot of glass, which makes the inside feel bright and connected to the outside. At night, the stadium glows from within.
The stadium has over 7,000 club seats and 186 luxury suites. It also has many lounges and bars for fans. There's even a large space that can be used for meetings, exhibits, and concerts.
Retractable Roof System
One of the coolest features is its retractable fabric roof. The roof has two huge panels that can split apart at the 50-yard line. When fully open, they rest above each end zone.
These panels move on rails, supported by a massive 675-foot-long super-truss. A computer in the press box controls the roof. It can open or close in as little as 7 minutes, moving quite fast!
The Bull Pen Fan Section
Behind the north end zone is a special section called the "Bull Pen." This is where the most enthusiastic Houston Texans fans gather. They stand throughout the game, sing, cheer, and create a lively atmosphere. They help make the game-day experience exciting for everyone in the stadium.
Big Video Screens
In 2013, NRG Stadium installed some of the largest digital video screens in professional sports. These screens are huge, covering a total of 14,549 square feet! They help fans see all the action up close.
What Happens at NRG Stadium
Football Games
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The Houston Texans have played all their home games at NRG Stadium since 2002. Each year, they play several regular season and preseason games here. The first regular season game was a big win against the Dallas Cowboys.
NRG Stadium has hosted two Super Bowls:
- Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, where the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers.
- Super Bowl LI in 2017, where the New England Patriots made an amazing comeback to beat the Atlanta Falcons. This was the first Super Bowl ever to go into overtime!
The Texans also played their first-ever playoff game here on January 7, 2012. They defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 31–10.
Rodeo Events
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a very important event for NRG Stadium. It's held for three weeks every March. The stadium was designed to handle the rodeo's needs, including housing livestock like bulls and horses.
During the rodeo, a large concert stage moves into the center of the stadium. This allows for amazing musical performances after the rodeo events. The PBR also brings its bull riding tour to the stadium.
College Football
NRG Stadium hosts several college football games each year. These include the Texas Bowl and the Texas Kickoff. It also hosted the Big 12 Football Championship Game twice.
The stadium has been home to rivalry games like the Bayou Bucket Classic between the University of Houston and Rice University. It also hosts the "Battle of the Piney Woods" between Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin.
In January 2024, NRG Stadium hosted the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies in an exciting game.
High School Football
Many high school football teams use NRG Stadium for important playoff games. It's a special experience for young athletes to play in such a big venue.
Soccer Matches
NRG Stadium is a popular place for international soccer matches. It has hosted games for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and friendly matches between national teams like the U.S. and Mexico.
In 2010, the stadium hosted the 2010 MLS All-Star Game, where Manchester United played against the MLS All-Stars. In June 2016, it hosted three matches for the Copa América Centenario, including a semifinal where Lionel Messi scored a record-breaking goal for Argentina.
2026 FIFA World Cup
NRG Stadium will be one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will host seven matches, including five group stage games and two knockout stage matches. For the World Cup, the stadium will be temporarily called "Houston Stadium."
College Basketball
The stadium has hosted many important college basketball tournaments. This includes the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament South Regional semifinals and finals. It also hosted the Final Four in 2011, 2016, and 2023.
Motorsports
For many years, NRG Stadium has been a host for exciting motorsports events. These include Monster Jam and a round of the AMA Supercross Championship.
Concerts and Other Events
NRG Stadium is a major concert venue, attracting many famous artists. Performers like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Metallica, U2, and Coldplay have played here. In 2023, Taylor Swift became the first artist to sell out three shows on a single tour at the stadium. In June 2025, Metallica set a new attendance record with over 75,000 fans.
The stadium also hosted WrestleMania 25 in 2009, a huge wrestling event. In 2019, it hosted the "Howdy Modi" event and international conventions for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Images for kids
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Interior of Reliant Stadium during a Texans game
See also
In Spanish: Estadio NRG para niños
