NRG Stadium
The Houston NFL Holdings group approached HOK Sport in 1997 to begin the schematic design for a stadium that would replace the Astrodome. Groundbreaking occurred on the 9th of March 2000, and construction finished within 30 months. The building officially topped off in October 2001 before opening its doors on the 24th of August 2002. Total costs reached $352 million for a facility with a seating capacity of 72,220. This project marked the first time an NFL facility featured a retractable roof system. The initial preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans drew 69,432 spectators who watched the Dolphins win 24, 3. A regular season matchup against the Dallas Cowboys followed on the 8th of September 2002, where the Texans defeated their interstate rival 19, 10.
Hermes Reed Architects and Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam formed the Houston Stadium Consultants team to work alongside engineers from Walter P Moore and Uni-Systems. Their design utilized kinetic architecture principles to create a structure that glows from within at night due to extensive glass usage. Two large fabric panels split apart at the 50 yard line when fully retracted, lying over each end zone. Ten parallel tri-chord trusses ride on two parallel rails supported by super-trusses. Computer controls in the press box manage the operation while providing live images of the travel path. Roof panels can open or close in as little as 7 minutes moving at speeds up to 10 feet per minute. Over 7,000 club seats and 186 luxury suites fill the interior spaces. One bleacher section behind the north end zone called the Bull Pen allows fans to stand throughout games and interact directly with field action.
On the night of the 12th of September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike caused significant damage to the stadium roof cladding. Part of the roof came off while wind and water damaged other sections of the facility. Large pieces of debris filled parts of the stadium but authorities declared no significant structural damage except to the roof itself. The Houston Texans home opener scheduled for September 14 had to be postponed immediately. The NFL rescheduled the game against the Baltimore Ravens to week 10 on the 9th of November 2008. Repairs were completed by Reel Group Americas on the 13th of February 2009. The stadium reopened on the 5th of October 2008 when the Texans hosted the Indianapolis Colts. Three additional home games took place that same month before the season concluded normally.
NRG Stadium has hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII on the 1st of February 2004 where the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32, 29 in front of 71,525 attendees. Super Bowl LI occurred in 2017 with the New England Patriots defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34, 28 in the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. The venue hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship on the 8th of January 2024 featuring Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies. International soccer matches have been held here since 2005 including CONCACAF Gold Cup games through 2011. A capacity crowd of 70,103 watched the United States play Mexico on the 6th of February 2008. The stadium will host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup including five group stage games and one Round of 16 match on Independence Day.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo serves as a co-tenant alongside the NFL team according to assistant general manager Leroy Shafer. During three weeks in March each year livestock housing occurs under the lower bowl north end zone. Loading and unloading dock space supports rodeo operations while rolling doors separate food deliveries from livestock equipment. A concert performance stage located at the south end moves into the facility center via hydraulic drive system for rodeo events. The PBR Built Ford Tough Series arrived at Reliant Stadium for the first time on the 25th of February 2012. This marked their first event in Houston in 11 years after previously holding annual shows at Compaq Center between 1998 and 2001. The building accommodates both football and rodeo needs simultaneously without major disruption.
A permanent artificial surface replaced natural sod during the 2015 season following complaints about field conditions. The new UBU Speed turf by Act Global covers the entire playing area now. In 2017 Hellas Construction installed Matrix Turf with Helix Technology under a three-year contract requiring new fields annually. Digital displays were updated starting December 2012 becoming the second largest screens in professional sports venues when revealed the 16th of August 2013. Further upgrades followed Super Bowl LI to keep NRG Stadium competitive with newer NFL venues including office and team facility modernizations. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo renamed the stadium NRG Stadium Taylor's Version on the 19th of April 2023 celebrating Taylor Swift Eras Tour performances. A Christmas Gameday halftime show headlined by Beyoncé took place on the 25th of December 2024 marking the first ever for that holiday matchup.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did NRG Stadium open to the public?
NRG Stadium officially opened its doors on the 24th of August 2002. The facility replaced the Astrodome after construction finished within 30 months following groundbreaking on the 9th of March 2000.
Who designed the retractable roof system at NRG Stadium?
Hermes Reed Architects and Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam formed the Houston Stadium Consultants team to design the structure alongside engineers from Walter P Moore and Uni-Systems. Their kinetic architecture principles created a roof that opens or closes in as little as 7 minutes using ten parallel tri-chord trusses.
What damage did Hurricane Ike cause to NRG Stadium?
Hurricane Ike caused significant damage to the stadium roof cladding on the night of the 12th of the 13th of September 2008 when part of the roof came off due to wind and water. Authorities declared no significant structural damage except to the roof itself before repairs were completed by Reel Group Americas on the 13th of February 2009.
Which Super Bowls have been hosted at NRG Stadium?
NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII on the 1st of February 2004 where the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32, 29. The venue also hosted Super Bowl LI in 2017 with the New England Patriots defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34, 28 in the first overtime game in Super Bowl history.
How many seats does NRG Stadium hold for football games?
The facility has a seating capacity of 72,220 including over 7,000 club seats and 186 luxury suites. A bleacher section behind the north end zone called the Bull Pen allows fans to stand throughout games and interact directly with field action.