When the Astrodome opened on April 9, 1965, it was billed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and it changed stadiums forever, giving the world indoor baseball and, famously, AstroTurf. The Astros, the Oilers and the rodeo all called it home. It has been closed to the public since 2009 and is used for storage, yet it is protected: listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 and named a State Antiquities Landmark in 2017. Harris County has said any renovation needs private money after a 2026 study priced a basic rehab at about $752 million, and in August 2026 the Astrodome Conservancy invited developers to pitch new ideas. For now, admire it from the parking lots on a Texans or rodeo day.
What to expect
- On Texans game days you need a game or tailgate ticket just to enter the lots.
- For Texans games, every Reliant Park lot needs a pre-bought mobile parking pass.
- METRORail runs to Reliant Park for Texans games and the rodeo.
What to do
- See the dome from the Reliant Park lots on a game or rodeo day
- Read up on the Conservancy's redevelopment plans
- April 9, 1965Opened
- January 15, 2014National Register of Historic Places
- January 27, 2017State Antiquities Landmark
- About $752 million for a basic operational renovationRenovation estimate (2026 county study)