Houston is set to host 7 FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, starting on June 11, 2026. Mayor John Whitmire and Judge Lina Hidalgo recently briefed the public on safety measures and stadium improvements. At the same time, officials are addressing the financial challenges of maintaining NRG Park, according to Click2Houston.
In the late 1990s, Harris County created the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. to manage NRG Stadium’s maintenance, following issues with the Astrodome's upkeep under team management. The goal was to ensure proper facility management, with the county overseeing the stadium’s off-season calendar. However, a consistent revenue stream for maintenance was not established, and the financial returns did not fully cover the ongoing costs, as reported by Houston Chronicle.
The county is responsible for maintaining NRG Stadium, while the Houston Texans and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo are not obligated to contribute significantly to the upkeep costs. Omar Majzoub, the Texans' communications director, stated, “Since NRG Stadium was built over 20 years ago, with part of its construction made possible through various funding sources facilitated by our presence, we have abided by the terms of our lease as a tenant and provided capital to support the construction and on-going needs of the building.” With an estimated $2 billion in repairs needed over the next 30 years, the county is negotiating a new lease to address financial responsibilities. Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO, said, "We look forward to a new agreement that ensures NRG Park maintains world-class standards and our ability to continue our commitment to the community," as stated by Houston Chronicle.
