Houston is home to some of the best sports teams in the country. These teams enjoy playing at world-class venues that host thousands of fans each year. When you want to be a part of Houston’s sports-driven culture, you can find a match or game anytime of the year. These venues are easily accessible by car, shuttle, limousine service, or the METROline in Houston.
NRG Stadium
Named after NRG Energy, this stadium debuted on August 24, 2002. It currently offers a seating capacity of 71,054. It also features two different surfaces, natural and artificial turf.
NRG Stadium is among the first sporting venues to offer a retractable roof. It is home to sports teams and entertainment events like:
- NFL’s Houston Texans
- USA National Soccer team
- Houston Livestock and Rodeo
- Live music concerts and awards shows
In the past, it has hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII, Super Bowl LI and Wrestlemania XXV.
Minute Maid Park
Formerly Enron Field, Minute Maid Park joined Houston’s sports scene on March 30, 2000. It also has a retractable roof to protect fans and players from inclement weather. Its capacity is 42,060 people.
Minute Maid Park has natural turf, which is highly prized among professional baseball players. Home to the Houston Astros, the park’s entrance was once Union Station. This venue is also used for events like live music concerts, as well as rugby and soccer matches. It is too small, however, to host American football games.
Toyota Center
Named after the world-famous automobile company, Toyota Center debuted on October 6, 2003. It has a seating capacity of 18,000 to 19,000 people, depending on the event. An indoor arena, Toyota Center is currently home to the Houston Rockets.
This arena offers impressive amenities for fans and athletes alike. People who play or visit the venue will find:
- 103 luxury suites
- 2900 club seats
- 3 private lounges: Lexus Lounge, Woodforest Club, and Platinum Lounge
- a VIP restaurant for luxury suite and club seat holders
- Red & White Wine Bistro
- Free WiFi for guests
In addition to being the home to the Rockets, Toyota Center also hosts live concerts and matches for the WWE.
BBVA Compass Stadium
A world-class soccer venue, BBVA Compass Stadium was introduced to the Houston area on May 12, 2012. It can hold 22,039 guests and is owned by the Harris County Sports Authority.
With its Bermuda grass surface, BBVA Compass Stadium is the home of several notable sports teams. You can catch a game or match when these teams take the field:
- Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo
- MLS Women’s Houston Dash
- Houston Southern University Tigers football
Local rugby and soccer teams use this facility as well. The stadium also has played host to visiting Gaelic football teams.
Rice Stadium
One of the oldest sports venues in Houston, Rice Stadium has witnessed football and soccer teams compete since its debut on September 30, 1950. It has been used by the former Houston Oilers, hosted the Bluebonnet Bowl and Super Bowl VIII, and was also the site where President Kennedy gave a famous speech about the space country’s mission to go to the moon.
It is now used by the Rice University Owls’ football team. It has a seating capacity of 47,000 and features natural turf. Dropping attendance numbers gave pause to some city leaders about the stadium’s use. However, attendance has rebounded with the venue once again enjoying healthy ticket sales.
Houston’s sports scene continues to thrive. You can enjoy an afternoon or evening cheering on your favorite team when you drive yourself or hire a limo to take you to one of these exciting venues.