Upcoming Houston Texans dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Texans seats: what to buy and why
For a Houston Texans game, the seat with the best overall balance is a club-level sideline seat: high enough to read the whole field, close enough to feel involved, with indoor lounge access and shorter lines. If you want to be nearer the field, target rows in the teens and twenties of a lower-bowl sideline section between the 20-yard lines. On a budget, the lower rows of an upper-deck sideline section give a clean, broadcast-style view.
The stadium seats 72,220 for football and has a retractable roof that usually stays closed during Houston's hot early season. That takes sun and rain out of the decision, which is why this page focuses on height, angle and price.
A note on the name: Reliant was the original 2002 sponsor, NRG took over in 2014, the World Cup used the neutral label Houston Stadium in 2026, and Reliant's name is back on the building for the 2026 NFL season. You may see any of the three on maps, parking passes and listings.
Three tiers under one roof
Lower bowl
The sideline sections between the 20s are the most sought-after seats in the building. Down in the first rows, you are at grass height, and the sideline crowd of players, coaches and camera operators blocks the far half of the field. Rows in the teens and twenties fix that while keeping you close.
Club level
The middle tier holds the club seats, with wider chairs, indoor lounges and shorter concession lines. On the sideline, this is the best mix of height and proximity in the stadium.
Upper deck
The value tier. The lower rows of the sideline sections show plays developing much as television does. Skip the highest corner rows if you can; they mean the biggest climb and the most distance.
End zones
Low behind the goal line, you are close to the tunnel entrance and to scoring plays at your end, but far-end action flattens out. Higher up, end zone seats tend to be the lowest-priced in the stadium.
The roof itself is worth a look. No NFL stadium had a retractable roof before this one. It opens down the middle, splitting over midfield, and a full open or close takes around seven minutes.
Good fits for different fans
- First visit: look for sideline seats in the upper half of the lower bowl, or in the first rows of the upper deck, for the strongest view per dollar.
- Parents with small kids: an aisle seat on the club level keeps restrooms and food close, with smaller crowds.
- Atmosphere seekers: lower end zone seats near the tunnel put you close to the pregame entrance and goal-line action.
- Budget buyers: upper end zone and upper sideline seats, especially for preseason and early-season games.
One more factor in your favor: under a closed roof, the stadium is air-conditioned, so a September game is far more comfortable than an outdoor game in Houston would be.
Demand by opponent and calendar
Houston's home schedule usually includes one or two August preseason games and then eight or nine regular-season dates between September and early January. Division champions also get at least one home playoff game.
- Tennessee Titans: because the Titans used to be Houston's Oilers, plenty of local fans treat them as the top rival.
- Dallas Cowboys: the Governor's Cup brings a wave of North Texas fans south, making it one of the scarcest home tickets whenever it lands in Houston.
- Indianapolis and Jacksonville in December: when the division is still up for grabs, these December meetings get pricey.
- Night games: Thursday, Sunday and Monday night kickoffs bring a louder crowd and firmer prices.
- Teams with national followings: their fans add buyers across every level.
Preseason games and early non-division games are usually the easiest seats to find. Late-season prices can move either way: a playoff race tightens supply, and a lost season can soften it, sometimes in the final days. Every order through Reserved Seat is backed by a 100% guarantee.
Rail, lots and long walks
You will find the stadium south of downtown, next to the old Astrodome, with access from the I-610 South Loop.
- METRORail: the Red Line stops at Stadium Park/Astrodome station, so if you are staying near downtown, Midtown, the Medical Center or the Museum District, the train is your easiest ride. Expect a crush on the platform after the final whistle.
- Parking: huge surface lots surround the stadium, and depending on where you park, the team estimates anything from half an hour to over an hour on foot to the gates. Season holders claim the nearest spaces, so reserve single-game parking early and wear comfortable shoes.
- Rideshare: getting dropped off is painless, but the postgame queue is not. You will often do better strolling a few blocks away or lingering until the crowd thins.
For 2026, plan on gates opening 120 minutes ahead of kickoff, phone-only tickets and the standard NFL clear-bag limits (a see-through tote of roughly 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a gallon freezer bag). Check the Texans know-before-you-go page for current policies before you go.
Tailgates, noise and gameday rituals
Texans game days are built around the parking lots. Hours before kickoff, the lots fill with grills, smokers, tents and TVs, and the cooking runs heavily to Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex. Get there early, and read the current lot schedule and equipment rules before you load the truck.
Inside, a closed roof holds the noise, so a full stadium gets loud on third down. Toro, the blue bull mascot, makes a pregame entrance, players charge from the tunnel, and every score is followed by the fight song, "Football Time in Houston."
A young franchise in a busy building
Houston won the league's 32nd franchise on October 6, 1999, six-plus years after the Oilers had left for Tennessee following the 1996 season. The Texans started play in 2002 and beat the Dallas Cowboys in their first regular-season game, a rare opening for an expansion team. The McNair family has owned the club throughout: Bob McNair from the start, Janice McNair from 2018 and Cal McNair since 2024. The colors are deep steel blue and battle red.
- Division titles: eight in all, first in 2011 and 2012, then 2015–2016, 2018–2019 and 2023–2024.
- A long wait ended: Houston finally won a playoff game on the road in the 2025 postseason, after years as the only team that never had.
- Still waiting: no Super Bowl appearance yet.
The stadium keeps a full calendar beyond football. Two Super Bowls have been played here (XXXVIII in 2004, LI in 2017), along with WrestleMania 25, the January 2024 college football national title game and seven 2026 World Cup matches. The Texas Bowl fills it every December, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes it over each winter.
On the road, the AFC South trips are the easiest. Indianapolis has hotels a short walk from Lucas Oil Stadium, and in Nashville a pedestrian bridge links the stadium with Broadway. Jacksonville makes a coastal weekend, though renovation work there trims seating in 2026 and sends the Jaguars to Orlando for their 2027 home games. Houston also has an international date: per the Jaguars' 2026 schedule, the two teams meet at London's Wembley Stadium in October. When a host team is mid-renovation and has fewer seats, buy early.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best section type for a Texans game?
A club-level sideline seat gives the best mix of height, closeness and comfort. For a closer view, choose rows in the teens and twenties of a lower-bowl sideline section.
Do I need to worry about heat at a Texans game?
Usually not. The retractable roof is often closed in Houston's heat, and the stadium is air-conditioned when it is.
Is the stadium called NRG Stadium or Reliant Stadium?
Both, depending on the year. Reliant was the first name (2002), NRG replaced it in 2014, and Reliant returned for the 2026 NFL season.
How far will I walk from parking at a Texans game?
Team estimates run from half an hour to over an hour on foot, depending on the lot. METRORail's Red Line to Stadium Park/Astrodome station avoids the lots entirely.
Why are Cowboys games in Houston so popular?
Two big fan bases chase the same seats: Texans fans and the many Cowboys fans who travel down from North Texas for the Governor's Cup.