Houston has been the proud home of Dynamo FC for 20 years and has grown into a loud and proud soccer town, with multiple official supporters’ groups rallying locals to cheer on their two-time MLS Cup–winning team. The area around Shell Energy Stadium — the Dynamo’s downtown venue — has developed into a bustling district with soccer-centric bars. And you can bet that a full-fledged community of soccer fans and players is eagerly awaiting the seven scheduled matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With a robust bar scene centered around soccer, league-worthy pitches, and a larger-than-life sense of style, Houston will show World Cup visitors why everything is bigger — and better — in Texas.
While the Houston World Cup matches are happening at NRG Stadium, plans are underway to transform East Downtown into a full-on fiesta for locals and visitors alike, with summer 2026 activities spread across the beloved locales that have helped turn “Space City” into “Soccer City.”
Houston is no stranger to tourism, with sights like the Space Center Houston and the Museum District that draw visitors from around the world. But there’s far more to do and uncover, especially for fans with an inclination toward all-things-sporty.
Photo: Halfpoint/Shutterstock
Hosted by the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee — in partnership with various bars, restaurants, and other venues in the neighborhood — locals and visitors alike will be invited to a 34-day-long watch party next to Shell Energy Stadium in EaDo. With an indoor food court, interactive exhibits, sponsored activations, and mini soccer fields, expect nonstop entertainment while watching not just the Houston World Cup games, but all 104 matches. Located in the heart of the city’s unofficial soccer district, this full-fledged fiesta will bring lively energy to an already exciting time for Houston.
Photo: DavideAngelini/Shutterstock
After visiting Toros HTX, every other coffee shop may feel lacking to soccer fans. With two full-size soccer fields, Toros offers a space to play pickup games or join weekly league meetups — all alongside an excellent coffee program on the sidelines. The stadium lights stay on until 11 PM, and the fields open at 7 or 8 AM, making it easy to beat the peak Houston heat, even in the middle of summer. And yes — the coffee’s great, too.
Photo: Irina Starikova1811/Shutterstock
The M/V Sam Houston Boat Tour offers a glimpse into one of the busiest ports in the US. This 90-minute tour, operated by the Port of Houston Authority, takes guests aboard a small vessel that has been in service since 1958. You’ll get an up-close look at Houston’s economic engine, including massive cargo ships, petrochemical tankers, and industrial terminals. There’s no live guide — just an automated audio recording that shares basic port facts — so the experience is more about observing the scale and logistics of global trade than learning in depth. Security is tight, and reservations are required; they open on the first day of every month. It’s an excellent offbeat side trip for travelers curious about maritime infrastructure.
Photo: Kzenon/Shutterstock
Houston and intense heat are a practically inseparable pair, and if you get glistening just standing around, playing a pick-up match outside might sound like a nightmare. Memorial Indoor Soccer offers adults open play every Monday and Friday from 8-11PM, offering the chance to spend a perfectly cool night kicking around the ball for only $10. Leave the cleats at home and reserve a spot, or gamble with a walk-in for a casual pick-up game without having to cook under the Texan sun.
Houston’s bar scene reflects the city’s identity as one of the most diverse in the country — soccer fans can find a place to cheer whether they’re backing Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil, or the US. The city’s culinary landscape is just as global, with standout Vietnamese, West African, and Mexican food alongside classic Texas barbecue.
Bringing a bit of Manchester to Montrose, the Phoenix on Westheimer is a classic British pub in the heart of Houston. With soccer memorabilia on wood-paneled walls, red tufted booths, and TVs playing every match on air, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re in Texas the moment you walk in. As a Houston Dynamo Pub Partner, the Phoenix screens just about every match, offering the perfect backdrop for a frosty pint and a plate of fish and chips that tastes fresh from the British Isles.
The Phoenix on Westheimer: 1915 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
There are soccer bars — and then there’s Pitch 25. Located catty-corner from the Houston Dynamo’s stadium, fans can come and go from Shell Energy Stadium, grab a beer, and play a pickup game — all in one place. Former Major League Soccer and US Men’s National Team player Brian Ching opened Pitch 25 as a beer garden with an indoor soccer pitch, creating a space for guests and fans to come together. With 100 beers on tap and more than 70 TVs, no corner is without a view of the action. Kids are welcome, too — fans of all ages can drop by, pick up a quick match, enjoy a burger or wings, and unite over the world’s favorite sport.
Pitch 25: 2120 Walker St, Houston, TX 77003
This isn’t your finance bro’s beer garden: Social has a counter-cultural vibe with weekly burlesque, steak, and comedy nights to satisfy all kinds of tastes. Also a Houston Dynamo Pub Partner, its rotating cast of food trucks provides bites between beers while the spacious patio and supersized projector screen plays all the big games. With a playful spirit, it’ll quickly become clear why Social Beer Garden is an excellent spot for soccer fans to unwind, especially those who find the fun soccer surprise inside the barrel-shaped urinals…
Social Beer Garden: 3101 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77004
A few blocks from the Houston Dynamo’s stadium is the 2023 Texas Brewery of the Year, True Anomaly. Brewed by former rocket scientists, space suit developers, and mission managers, this place is lightyears away from your buddy’s home brew. The brilliant brewmasters use their scientific expertise to craft beers beyond the ordinary. For those looking to catch a local soccer game while experiencing FIFA, this brewery’s beers offer an out-of-this-world experience that showcases a different side of Space City.
True Anomaly Brewing Co.: 2012 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003
Photo: Booking.com/Omni Hotel Houston
NRG Stadium sits in Houston’s south-central corridor, but with the city’s extensive highway system and sprawling layout, where you stay depends more on the kind of experience you’re after. For walkable neighborhoods with nightlife and food, Midtown or Montrose are good bets. The Museum District offers a quieter, more cultural stay, while Downtown puts you closer to transit options. Wherever you land, give yourself extra time to get to the stadium — Houston traffic isn’t forgiving. Booking early is essential.
Read Matador‘s guide to the best hotels near NRG Stadium.
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Acting as a potential base for visiting teams, the Omni Houston Hotel could see star players lounging poolside before games. There’s a lush resort vibe radiating around the Omni, with two pools that hug the blue lagoon and trails that are home to the hotel’s two swans despite being squarely in the city. It’s 20 minutes to NRG Stadium and sits riverside with a spa, nightclub, and whiskey lounge on the property to cater to every style of traveler. Rooms start around $150 per night in the summer.
Hotel ZaZa offers a glimpse of the larger-than-life lifestyle Texans are known for. It’s a quick drive, train ride, or walk to several landmarks, including NRG Stadium. It also has a courtyard pool oasis that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Houston’s Museum District. The ZaZa will surely be a hotspot for pre and post-game debauchery with its poolside parties, brunches, and live music for a gaudy good time. In the summer, rooms start in the high $200s per night.
There’s no denying that Houston can be wildly hot in the summer, but if you book this stylish Airbnb apartment, you don’t need to worry about it. You’ll have access to a big courtyard pool with plenty of lounge chairs, and at night, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer an unbeatable view of the illuminated Houston skyline. 