Houston's NRG Stadium has seen amazing performances by sports and music stars and hosted RodeoHouston year after year. But how much do you really know about NRG Stadium's history and stats?

Test your knowledge about this popular Houston venue and discover what makes it a superstar among arenas nationwide.

What's behind the stadium's name?

1. What's the correct way to pronounce NRG Stadium?

The letters in NRG Stadium are pronounced N-R-G. Not "energy" and definitely not "nerg." Be sure to include the word "stadium" after NRG so it's not confused with the energy company it's named after. More on that in the next fact.

2. What does NRG stand for? 

Under a 32-year, $300 million naming rights deal signed in 2000, the entire complex is named after NRG Energy, a Houston-based energy company.

3. Didn't NRG Stadium start out with another name?

Yes. Reliant Stadium, until the venue was renamed after Reliant's parent company in March 2014.

Tell me about the sporting events at NRG Stadium

4. What NFL team plays at NRG Stadium?

The National Football League's Houston Texans play their home games here.

5. Who else plays at NRG Stadium?

The stadium hosts the Texas Bowl, United States men's national soccer team matches and Mexico national football team friendlies. Soccer matches are played at the stadium during the spring and summer before the NFL season kicks off.

6. Did NRG Stadium ever host a Super Bowl?

The stadium hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004) and Super Bowl LI (2017).

7. One of pro sports' greatest comebacks happened here. What was it?

On February 5, 2017 during Super Bowl LI, the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Atlanta Falcons 34–28. What a game! The Patriots overcame a 28–3 deficit to win what was also the first-ever overtime game in Super Bowl history. 

8. Will the stadium participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Yes, FIFA, soccer's global governing body, chose Houston as one of 16 sites for the 2026 Men's World Cup. Per FIFA regulations, real grass will be installed for these matches.

What about concerts at NRG Stadium?

9. Which musicians and bands have rocked NRG Stadium?

To name a few: George Strait, Beyoncé (who will perform two concerts at NRG Stadium in September 2023, BeyHivers!), Taylor Swift, U2, Garth Brooks, Metallica, Guns N' Roses and EDM DJ Marshmello.

10. Did George Strait break attendance records at NRG Stadium?

Yes. On March 17, 2019, George Strait entertained a record-breaking 80,108 fans with a 29-song, two-hours-plus set during RodeoHouston. Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen also performed at that show. When closing RodeoHouston on March 20, 2022, Strait drew an estimated crowd of 79,452 fans. 

Rodeo fun at NRG Stadium

11. Does RodeoHouston take over NRG Stadium three weeks each year?

Absolutely. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from late February through the third week of March. The 2023 event features Bun B's Southern Takeover.

12. RodeoHouston debuted something cool in February 2018. What was it?

A rotating star-shaped concert stage to give everyone a great view. The stage is moved into the center of the stadium by a hydraulic drive for performances.  

Let's talk about NRG Stadium's revolutionary design and features

13. When was NRG Stadium built?

Construction of the venue, which cost approximately $450 million, was completed in 2002.

14. How many people can NRG Stadium hold?

NRG Stadium has 72,220 seats. Club seating can accommodate 7,700; 195 private suites (16 and 22 people each) and two Mega Suites which each accommodate 150 guests. How big is this multi-purpose arena? It has a total area of 1.9 million square feet and a 97,000-square-foot playing surface.

15. Why did architects cheer the design of NRG Stadium?

NRG Stadium, designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport), was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof. Why? To function as an open-air sports and performance center while having the all-weather capabilities and the somewhat homier feel of an indoor arena. Also, the stadium was built large enough to host RodeoHouston events.

Other cool architectural facts: the stadium skin is 50 percent glass, giving an open-air feel to the concourses and making the venue appear to glow in the dark. Twenty-three tons of bolts hold the stadium together and the building has 11 elevators, 20 escalators, four stairwells and four pedestrian ramps. 

16. More about that retractable roof...

NRG Stadium's roof opens at the 50-yard line ... but it has failed to fully open before. Other times it has worked like a charm. According to the Houston Chronicle, "the roof was opened three times during the 2020 season when the pandemic limited capacity." 

17. Is the fabric roof just to make the stadium look cool?

The fabric roof is about form and function. Made of translucent fiberglass fabric coated with Teflon, and moving on a steel truss, the roof lets light in so the grass doesn't die.

18. Turf wars: what happened?

The stadium was designed with a grass field. In 2015, artificial turf was installed for college, high school games and Houston Texans games to improve the field conditions. Why the change? The grass was grown in interlocking trays that were pieced together on the field like a puzzle. Some players claimed that injuries could happen where the seams cross.

In 2012, former Texans punter Brett Hartmann sued the county agency that operates the stadium, blaming the turf for a possibly career-ending knee injury when his foot got caught in a seam.

More interesting facts about NRG Stadium

19. What was the first game played at NRG Stadium?

On August 24, 2002, the Miami Dolphins beat the Houston Texans 24-3 in a preseason game. But remember, the Houston Texans were NFL newbies.

20. Hockey wasn't a good match for the stadium. Remember why?

On September 23, 2011, the Dallas Stars and the Phoenix Coyotes were scheduled to play a preseason game. The game was canceled due to the costs of making a proper ice rink.

21. What other events have taken place at NRG Stadium?

WrestleMania 25 in 2009; the Monster Energy Supercross; the Houston Home + Garden Show and the Monster Jam truck extravaganza. Additionally, the LSU Tigers and the Houston Cougars will play at NRG Stadium in the 2027 Texas Kickoff.

22. Something embarrassing happened during the stadium's official ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 16, 2002. What was it?

Unwanted clapping came from a thunderstorm, and rainwater poured through the retractable roof. A bladder system that filled the gaps was installed soon after.

23. What happened to the Astrodome?

Even innovative buildings that were ahead of their time become outdated, so the Astrodome was closed in 2009 (the last Astros game was played there on October 9, 1999). But it's still at NRG Park, where NRG Stadium is based.

24. How smart are the NRG Park grounds?

Grasspave2, a grass-porous paving system, cools seven acres—enough to provide nearly three more months of use in the Texas heat compared to asphalt. Grasspave2 also cleans stormwater of toxic hydrocarbon dripped from vehicles, so pure water is recharged into the groundwater supply. Speaking of green, 2,200 trees populate the stadium's parking areas.

25. What's the "Bull Pen?"

In bleachers behind the north end zone, fans join the action on the field, chanting and cheering to rally spectators.

As for a more literal "bull pen," another fun RodeoHouston fact is that bulls, broncs, steers and roping calves are housed in the stadium's north end under the lower bowl.

Find it: One NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054; 832-667-1400