Stadium
NRG Stadium · tournament name: Houston Stadium
- Capacity72,220
- RoofRetractable
- Surfacenatural grass overlay
- AirportsIAH · HOU
Retractable roof - closed for summer heat. Grass overlay installed.
Getting there
- IAH
- HOU
Climate & what to pack: Hot and humid. 32-35 °C with heavy afternoon storms.
Where to stay
Budget
- La Quinta by Wyndham Houston Reliant ParkWalking distance to NRG.
Mid-range
- The Hotel AlessandraDowntown, modern.
Premium
- Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum DistrictPool, central to museums.
- The Post Oak Hotel at UptownFive-star, Galleria area.
Where to eat
- Pinkerton's BarbecueBBQTexas pit BBQ, Heights.
- XochiOaxacanHugo Ortega, mole flight a must.
- Crawfish & NoodlesViet-CajunAsiatown; crawfish season tails off in June.
Things to do
- Space Center HoustonmuseumNASA mission control tour; a half-day.
- Museum District + Menil CollectionartMost museums free on Thursdays.
- Galveston beach dayday trip1 hr south, Gulf Coast.
- Buffalo Bayou ParkoutdoorsKayaking and cycling near downtown.
Gear tuned for Houston
Heat
- Electrolyte tabletsDrop in a water bottle; cheaper than stadium sports drinks.
- Cooling neck towelSoaks and stays cold - a lifesaver in 35 °C.
- Sun-protective long-sleeveUPF protection without cooking you - Dallas/Miami/Monterrey.
Tech
- 20,000 mAh power bankEnough for a matchday of phone, camera and maps.
- Universal travel adapterOne adapter that handles plugs in all three host countries.
- Walking shoesYou will walk more than you think - break them in first.
Comfort
- Packing cubesNon-negotiable for a multi-city trip.
- Travel pillowFor the long flight and the cross-country drive.
- Compression socksLong-haul flights are brutal without them.