By Zak Keefer and Adam Coleman
Sep 1, 2024
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Editor’s note: This article is part of the Stadium Guides series, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.
Buy tickets on StubHub to Houston Texans games at NRG Stadium here.
It was mid-January and NRG Stadium was rocking, louder than it has been in years. Not solely because of the moment — sure, the Houston Texans scoring 35 unanswered points to complete a wild-card rout of the Cleveland Browns played a part — but this felt bigger. A page had been turned. A new era had begun.
In one season, C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans changed the way the NFL saw the franchise. And maybe how the franchise saw itself.
GO DEEPERWho are the NFL’s top players 25 and under? How execs, coaches rank Stroud, Jefferson and othersNo doubt, NRG Stadium will have a different feel in years to come. If everything goes right, the Texans figure to be perennial contenders in the AFC.
Consider: A year ago, the Texans were the only team in the NFL without a single game scheduled for a nationally televised window. Entering 2024, the team has already announced it has sold out every home game.
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That’ll be a sharp turn from previous seasons, when the fan base — fed up with the Texans’ direction and dismal results — felt sleepy and even disinterested during home games. The league’s oldest stadium with a retractable roof, NRG Stadium (formerly Reliant Stadium) opened in 2002 and has since hosted two Super Bowls, XXXVII and LI. It will also host a handful of matches during the 2026 World Cup.
The success of the NRG Stadium blueprint is evident across the NFL, as a number of teams have opened similar retractable-roof stadiums in the years since, several of which remain among the league’s best: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The venues have hosted a combined five Super Bowls since 2008.
The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience.
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Insider tips
2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. Ravens, Dec. 25
It’s easy to forget how tight last year’s AFC divisional playoff game in Baltimore was for a half. The Texans were tied with the top-seeded Ravens, 10-10, before Lamar Jackson led three straight scoring drives after the break and put the game out of reach. The final was 34-10.
“It’s tough getting embarrassed like that,” Stroud said afterward.
“This wasn’t our moment right now,” Ryans added.
But it seems like the Texans’ moment is coming. With new faces in wideout Stefon Diggs and pass rusher Danielle Hunter, Houston looks every bit an AFC contender entering 2024. And with that stature comes marquee games late in the season, like this Christmas Day showdown with the Ravens that will be broadcast on Netflix. This one, at NRG Stadium, likely comes with serious playoff implications.
Fan traditions to know: ‘Repping H-Town,’ ‘Texans … SWARM’
For every home game, the Texans bring out a local celebrity — 50 Cent or Simon Biles, for example — for their “Repping H-Town” tradition, in which they fire up the crowd and fire off a pregame cannon. Fans at NRG Stadium also adopted a “Texans … SWARM” chant in 2023, a nod to Ryans’ favorite slogan.
Houston Texans fans celebrate a play during a game against the Tennessee Titans in 2023 at NRG Stadium. (John Rivera / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Zak Keefer’s favorite thing
The best part about visiting NRG, without much debate, is the food. The options are among the best in the league, Texas-styled in both flavor and proportion: the Bull-Ringer burger, Que-Dawg and a monstrous Beef Taco Salad are a few top concession options. The press-box spread is also as good as any stadium in the NFL, and the buffet never seems to end, running consistently from pregame until well through the fourth quarter.
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The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 16
Jon Machota ranked all 30 NFL stadiums in August 2023. In The Athletic’s 2020 stadium rankings, NRG Stadium came in 18th. Three years later, it was ranked 16th. That feels right. NRG Stadium is a solid game day venue, capable of hosting major events — there’s just nothing all that unique about it. It’s easy to see why other stadiums — even much older ones — are ranked ahead of it.
Game day advice
The Athletic NFL staff editor Adam Coleman, who lives in Houston, shares some of his favorites from NRG Stadium.
What’s the can’t-miss food?
As Zak noted, food is a major staple at NRG Stadium, and there is always something new to try. A few new options this year: strawberry cheesecake dessert pretzel, chicken wonton tacos, Bang Bang chicken bites and, of course, barbecue. Local favorite Truth BBQ will be featured at NRG Stadium this year. Trill Burgers — a local burger chain owned by rapper Bun B — is served at NRG Stadium, as well, and is can’t-miss.
What’s the best beer option?
Try any of the local brews. Karbach Brewing Co. features the popular Crawford Bock and an IPA from Saint Arnold Brewing Company never fails.
What to know if you go
Stadium address: NRG Parkway, Houston, Texas 77054
Year opened: 2002.
Playing surface: Hellas Matrix Helix turf.
Roof? Retractable roof.
Stadium capacity: 72,220.
2023 average attendance per game: 71,193.
Tickets: $311 is the average StubHub ticket cost at NRG Stadium for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub.
Bag policy: Bags (including backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags) must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches for game entry. Also, up to one gallon clear freezer bags are allowed. Small non-clear bags (such as camera or binocular containers) no larger than 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches are permitted. Clear tote bags with official NFL team logos are allowed.
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Outside food policy: Outside food and beverage is not permitted. Guests with dietary restrictions such as food allergies who must bring in outside food and beverage should email ADAAccommodations@nrgpark.com in advance of the event.
ADA information: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires at least 1 percent of stadium seats to be wheelchair accessible. For more information on all accessibility services at NRG Stadium, click here.
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Tailgating policy: Fans who wish to enter NRG Stadium property must have a game or tailgate ticket. Postgame tailgating is permitted for one hour following the conclusion of the game.
Transportation options:The Metrorail is available for all home games. Rideshare and taxi drop-off locations can be found at Yellow 35, gate 16B off Main Street. Fans may drop off/pick up just outside of gate No. 2 at the intersection of Fannin and McNee.
Parking: Cashless parking is available to purchase in the Yellow (Gate 16A off McNee) and Maroon (Gate 5 off 610 service road) lots for $65.
Learn more: www.houstontexans.com/game-day/know-before-you-go
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Carmen Mandato and Buda Mendes / Getty Images)