NRG Stadium is primarily a football venue in Houston, Texas, opened in 2002. It has a natural grass field as well as Astroturf, which will switch off depending on whether it’s an NFL, college or high school game. The field is home to the Houston Texans, and hosted the Super Bowl in 2004 (and will host it again in 2017). NRG Stadium is one of the best and biggest modern stadiums in the country and is the venue for some of the biggest events and concerts around the world.
The stadium includes over 7,000 club seats, over 160 luxury suites and lots of lounges and bars all around the concourses. There is a retractable roof that can be opened any time the weather calls for it and the newest addition is the video screens. The new digital displays added in 2013 are the biggest in any professional sports venue and are a total of 14,549 square feet of screens, narrowly beating out the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
Sports at NRG Stadium
The Houston Texans are the big draw in Houston and have played their home games at NRG Stadium since they joined the NFL in 2002. The first regular season game in the stadium was on September 8, 2002, when the Texans beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-10. The record crowd for a football game at NRG Stadium was on February 1, 2004 when the New England Patriots played the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. College football is huge in the state of Texas, and the Texas Bowl is held annually at NRG Stadium. The Big 12 Championship was held there in 2002 and 2005, as well as certain home games for the Rice Owls and the Houston Cougars. NCAA Tournament play has taken place at NRG, and the stadium will host the Final Four again in 2016. Finally, several CONCACAF Gold Cup games and the 2010 MLS All-Star Game have been played at the venue.
Concerts at NRG Stadium
NRG Stadium has become a great venue for some of the biggest tours every year. Some of the bands that have played at the NRG Stadium include U2, The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift. In 2003, Metallica made a stop at NRG during their Summer Snitarium Tour and played with Linkin Park, Deftones, Limp Bizkit and Mudvayne. Many of the biggest artists will play in NRG Stadium instead of smaller venues around Houston to accommodate growing demand.
NRG Stadium Venue Guide
What’s the best way to get to NRG Stadium?
The METRORail has a NRG Stadium stop that is right in front of the stadium. It’s a great way to get to and from events, and is very cost efficient. Check ridemetro.org to see your best route. You can also drive and park in the many lots available around the stadium.
Does my child need a ticket?
All children two years or older need a ticket to enter the game.
What is there to do before the game?
Tailgate, tailgate, tailgate. The Texans have one of the best tailgating experiences in the NFL. Get a grill, some food and drink, and get to NRG Stadium early.