The stadium opened in 2002 as Reliant Stadium, became NRG Stadium in 2014, hosted FIFA World Cup matches as Houston Stadium in summer 2026, and returned to the Reliant name in August 2026 for the Texans' 25th season. Game day is a Houston ritual: the parking lots of Reliant Park fill with barbecue pits, tents and music hours before kickoff, and the tailgate is half the reason to go. Remaining 2026 home games are Dallas (Oct 4), the New York Giants (Oct 25), Indianapolis on a Thursday night (Nov 19), Baltimore (Nov 29), Jacksonville (Dec 20) and Tennessee to close the regular season, with the date and time still to be set by the NFL.
What to expect
- Bags must be clear and under 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a clutch about 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Main gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and everyone goes through screening.
- To get onto the lots on game day you need a game ticket or a separate tailgate ticket.
- Everything inside is cashless, and there is no re-entry once your ticket is scanned.
- METRORail runs for every home game; rideshare uses Yellow Lot 35 off Main Street.
What to do
- Tailgate in the Reliant Park lots
- The Cowboys game on Oct 4 for the in-state rivalry
- A look at the Astrodome next door
- 2002Opened
- Reliant Stadium (2002), NRG Stadium (2014), Reliant Stadium again (August 2026)Name history
- 8 home games; season opened at home vs. Buffalo Sep 132026 home schedule