NRG Park

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The stadium's history is tied to the Houston Texans from the start. Groundbreaking was on March 9, 2000, and construction was completed in 30 months. The stadium opened on August 24, 2002, with a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans, which the Dolphins won 24–3. The first regular season NFL game was on September 8, 2002, when the Texans defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19–10. The first rodeo was held in February 2003. On March 19, 2014, the stadium was renamed NRG Stadium, after NRG Energy, the parent company of Reliant Energy. The stadium served as the host facility for Super Bowls XXXVIII (2004) and LI (2017), the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, and WrestleMania 25 (2009). It hosted multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was temporarily renamed Houston Stadium during the tournament.

In Their Own Story

On the night of September 12–13, 2008, the stadium sustained damage from Hurricane Ike. Part of the roof cladding came off, and there was wind and water damage to other sections. The Texans' home opener against the Baltimore Ravens was postponed. The stadium reopened on October 5, 2008, when the Texans hosted the Indianapolis Colts. During a Texans preseason game on August 30, 2012, against the Minnesota Vikings, an intoxicated fan fell to his death from an escalator. On December 25, 2024, the first ever halftime show for the NFL's Christmas Gameday was headlined by Houston native Beyoncé at NRG Stadium. The stadium's commercial signage began to be removed in April 2026 as part of the 'neutralization' process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where it will be known as Houston Stadium. NRG announced on April 15, 2026 the restoration of the former Reliant Stadium and Reliant Park names after the tournament's end.

Reader's Guide

The stadium was designed by the architectural firms of Hermes Reed Architects and Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, who worked with Populous (then HOK Sport) and engineers from Walter P Moore and Uni-Systems. One of the most notable aspects is the retractable, fabric roof. The roof mechanization consists of two large panels that split apart at the 50 yard line, lying over and above each end zone when fully retracted. Roof operation is controlled via computer, and the panels can be opened or closed in as little as 7 minutes, moving at up to 35 feet per minute. The stadium has over 7,000 club seats, 186 luxury suites, and multiple lounges and bars. One bleacher section behind the north end zone, called the 'Bull Pen', is the designated fan section for the home team. In 2013, the stadium's end zone displays were replaced with the second largest digital displays in any professional sports venue, at a total of 14,549 square feet of screens.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof.
• The roof panels can be opened or closed in as little as 7 minutes, moving at up to 35 feet per minute.
• On April 19, 2023, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo renamed NRG Stadium to NRG Stadium (Taylor's Version) to celebrate Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dates at the stadium from April 21–23.
• The stadium's end zone displays, revealed August 16, 2013, are the second largest of their kind at 14,549 square feet of screens.
• During the 2015 season, a permanent artificial surface was installed after complaints about field conditions; the surface brand is UBU Speed, part of Act Global.