The Biggest Event Houston Has Ever Hosted
From June 14 to July 4, Houston becomes one of 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the largest World Cup in history with 48 teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico. NRG Stadium (renamed Houston Stadium for the tournament) will host seven matches featuring Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and more. Here's your practical guide to experiencing it all from downtown Houston.
Getting to the Stadium
METRORail is the move. The Red Line runs from Preston station (a short walk from our hotel) directly to NRG Park station. During the World Cup, trains run every 6 minutes. The ride takes about 20 minutes. Do not drive — parking will be extremely limited and expensive, and post-match traffic will be gridlocked.
Leave early. FIFA security screenings take time. Plan to arrive at the station at least 2 hours before kickoff. Trains will be packed closer to match time.
After the match: Expect long waits at NRG Park station immediately after the final whistle. Consider walking to a nearby station or grabbing food in the NRG area and letting the initial rush clear before boarding.
The EaDo FIFA Fan Festival
Don't have a match ticket? Houston's FIFA Fan Festival will be in the EaDo (East Downtown) neighborhood with big screens, live entertainment, food, and the atmosphere of being part of the tournament without a stadium seat. The Fan Festival is accessible via the Green/Purple METRORail lines at EaDo/Stadium station.
Important: The Fan Festival is on a different rail line than the stadium. If you're going to both on the same day, you'll need to transfer at Main Street Square station downtown. Allow 30–40 extra minutes for the connection.
Watching Matches Downtown
Not every match is at Houston Stadium. For the other 97 games happening across 16 cities, you'll want a place to watch. Downtown Houston has plenty of options — Market Square Park restaurants (across the street from our hotel), sports bars along Main Street, and the bars and restaurants in the POST Houston food hall (7-minute walk). Expect World Cup watch parties to pop up throughout downtown during the tournament.
Beat the Houston Heat
June and July in Houston average 93°F with high humidity. The good news: Houston Stadium has a retractable roof and full air conditioning — one of the few World Cup venues that can say that. Inside the stadium, you'll be comfortable. Outside, plan accordingly.
Stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen for any outdoor Fan Festival time. Take advantage of the Downtown Tunnels — six miles of air-conditioned underground shops and restaurants accessible from a one-minute walk from our hotel. And come back to your suite between events — your own air-conditioned living room with a full kitchen is a lot better than sitting in the heat between matches.
Language and Navigation Tips
Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the US. You'll hear Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, Arabic, and dozens of other languages throughout the tournament — and you'll find restaurants serving cuisine from nearly every country represented. Downtown is compact and walkable, and METRORail signage is in English and Spanish.
Your Home Base
The District at Hogg Palace is in the heart of downtown Houston with METRORail access to both the stadium and the Fan Festival. Every suite has a full kitchen (cook your own meals and save during an expensive event week), in-unit washer/dryer (critical for a multi-week tournament trip), and 700 to 1,600 sq ft of space for groups to gather and plan the day.
Read more about staying with us for the World Cup →
Plan Your Stay
METRORail to the stadium. Full kitchens. Space for your group. The smart home base for the World Cup.
View Rates & Book