Reliant Stadium (NRG): The Complete Visitor Guide

At a glance

• Where: 1 NRG Parkway, Houston, TX 77054 (Reliant Park, south of Loop 610)
• Events: Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (late Feb–mid Mar), major concerts
• Capacity: 72,000 to 80,000 depending on configuration
• Getting there: METRORail Red Line to Stadium Park/Astrodome station on Fannin; $1.25 fare
• Parking: Nine color-coded lots (Maroon through Tan); rideshare drop-off at Yellow 35, Gate 16B
• Tickets: Mobile only — load via the Houston Texans app before you arrive
• Bag policy: Clear bag max 12 by 6 by 12 inches or one-gallon zip bag; clutch max 4.5 by 6.5 inches

Reliant Stadium is at 1 NRG Parkway, Houston, TX 77054, about 3 miles south of downtown just inside Loop 610. It seats between 72,000 and 80,000 depending on the event, has a 500-by-385-foot retractable roof, and hosts three completely different experiences: Houston Texans NFL games, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (the largest rodeo in the world by attendance), and major touring concerts.

Searching for NRG Stadium? Same place. The venue opened in 2002 as Reliant Stadium, became NRG Stadium in 2014, and returned to the Reliant name in August 2026 for the Texans' 25th season.

Getting there: METRORail beats driving

The METRORail Red Line stops at Stadium Park/Astrodome station on Fannin Street. After exiting, follow signs to Gate 2 for the fastest entry. The fare is $1.25 each way (discounted for students, seniors, and riders with disabilities). METRO runs additional trains for every Texans home game — check ridemetro.org for event-night schedules.

The Red Line connects from downtown through the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center area before reaching the stadium. If you're staying in either neighborhood, the train is the obvious move.

Parking: nine color-coded lots

Reliant Park uses a color-code system: Maroon, Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Teal, Green, Purple, and Tan. Directions to each lot are at reliantpark.com/directions-parking/. Rideshare and taxi drop-off is at Yellow 35, Gate 16B, off Main Street. ADA parking is available in all lots on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid placard or plate.

Lots fill fast — arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff for Texans games and 60 minutes before Rodeo doors.

Clear-bag policy: what gets in and what doesn't

The NFL's clear-bag policy applies to all Texans games. You may bring:

• A clear bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches
• A one-gallon clear zip-seal bag (standard freezer bag)
• A small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches, with or without a strap (allowed alongside one of the above)

Opaque bags, backpacks, and purses larger than the clutch limit do not make it through. Medically necessary items go through a separate inspection lane. The Rodeo has its own bag policy — check rodeohouston.com before packing for those events.

Seating: where to sit and why

Reliant Stadium has three main tiers: the 100-level lower bowl, the 200-level club, and the 300-level upper deck.

The retractable roof: The 500-by-385-foot opening closes in under 10 minutes. Reliant Stadium was the first NFL venue to combine a retractable roof with a natural grass field. Maintaining that grass under a closed roof requires specialized grow lights and portable field sections that move outdoors during the week — engineering most fans never think about.

Lower bowl (100s): Best sightlines. End-zone sections carry the lowest-priced Texans tickets. Midfield seats are premium but close enough to hear the snap count.

Club level (200s): Climate-controlled lounges, premium food, wider seats. Worth the upgrade for the Rodeo or a long concert night when you'll want to step inside between acts.

Upper deck (300s): Best value. Most 300-level sections sit under the roof overhang and stay shaded regardless of whether the roof is open. On a September day game, that shade matters more than the price difference.

Food worth the line

Stadium concessions rotate by season. Here is where to look — and when.

East concourse BBQ stations (100-level, east side): Texas-style BBQ anchors this stretch — brisket sandwiches and smoked sausage links are the reliable options. Go during the first quarter or right after kickoff; lines at halftime are brutal.

West concourse (100-level, west side): Heavier traffic from the main parking flow means shorter lines if you wait 15 minutes after gates open. Nachos, hot dogs, and draft beer move fastest here.

300-level concourse: Far fewer people make it to the upper deck concourse. Same food, shorter wait. If you're seated in the 300s, skip the 100-level lines entirely.

Club-level lounges (200s, ticket required): Premium carved meats, broader beer and drink selection, and sit-down space — significantly less crowded than the general concourses.

Rodeo carnival midway (outside the stadium, NRG Center side): During the Rodeo, the carnival runs a separate food lineup: fried foods, turkey legs, corn dogs, and funnel cake. Friday and Saturday evening lines are long — plan for it.

Rodeo stadium concourses: The BBQ stands inside the stadium shift to a Rodeo-specific menu for the three-week run. Brisket on a stick and loaded fries are consistent crowd picks.

Pre-game dining: Reliant Park has limited walkable dining options. Head to EaDo before driving in, or eat in Midtown and take the Red Line. Our sports bars guide covers the closest game-day options.

Most stands are cashless. Bring a card.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Rodeo runs approximately three weeks each year, typically late February through mid-March. 2027 dates: March 2–21, per rodeohouston.com. A Rodeo ticket covers a major-act concert followed by rodeo competition — stage at one end of the stadium floor, arena at the other. Budget three to four hours for the livestock show, carnival, and the show itself.

Full background and Tejano Day history: our Rodeo survival guide.

Texans game-day specifics

All tickets are mobile. Pull them up in the Houston Texans app before you leave. Entry gates: Xfinity, Ford, Phillips 66, and Kroger, plus West VIP and East VIP entrances. Your mobile ticket shows your assigned gate. Ford and Phillips 66 on the west side typically have shorter lines for upper-deck ticketholders.

The Astrodome next door

The Astrodome sits about 200 yards west of Reliant Stadium in the same complex. It opened April 9, 1965, as the first fully enclosed sports stadium and the first air-conditioned event venue of its size — a Houston engineering achievement that earned it the nickname “the Eighth Wonder of the World.” It held more than 70,000 people and hosted baseball, football, and boxing.

One fact that still catches people off guard: the Astrodome is the birthplace of AstroTurf. The original natural grass died after the clear dome panels were painted to cut fielders' glare, blocking the sunlight. The replacement synthetic surface was named after the building. Every artificial field since owes something to that problem.

The Astrodome is not open for regular public events as of October 2026. Reliant Park's site says its future is bright. Check reliantpark.com or harriscountytx.gov for updates on tours or public access. The dome is clearly visible from the parking lots.

How we chose

Every section in this guide was cross-checked against official sites: the Texans' game-day pages for entry and bag policy, Reliant Park's site for parking and venue details, ridemetro.org for rail fare, and rodeohouston.com for 2027 event dates. We describe permanent infrastructure — the lots, the levels, the transportation options — rather than current-season vendors, since those rotate annually.

Save this: arrival checklist

• Load mobile tickets in the Houston Texans app before leaving.
• Clear bag only: 12-by-6-by-12-inch max, or a one-gallon zip bag. Small clutch (4.5 by 6.5 inches max) is allowed alongside.
• METRORail Red Line to Reliant Park Station on Fannin. Exit toward Gate 2. Fare: $1.25.
• Ridesharing? Drop-off is Yellow 35, Gate 16B, off Main Street.
• Arrive 90 minutes early for Texans games; 60 minutes before Rodeo doors.
• September games with the roof open: drink water. Some end-zone sections have no shade.
• Buy food during the first quarter, not halftime.
• After the game: trains queue at Gate 2. Expect 10–15 minutes — still faster than the parking exit.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is Reliant Stadium called now, and what was NRG Stadium?

They are the same building. The stadium opened as Reliant Stadium in 2002, was renamed NRG Stadium in 2014, and returned to the Reliant name in August 2026 for the Houston Texans' 25th season. The address remains 1 NRG Parkway, Houston, TX 77054.

Does METRORail go to Reliant Stadium?

Yes. The METRORail Red Line stops at Stadium Park/Astrodome station on Fannin Street. Follow signs to Gate 2 after exiting. Fare is $1.25 each way. METRO runs more frequent trains for all Texans home games. Check ridemetro.org for event-night schedules.

What bags are allowed at Texans games at Reliant Stadium?

The NFL clear-bag policy applies. You can bring one clear bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear zip-seal bag. A small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches is allowed alongside. Opaque bags and backpacks are not permitted.

Where are the parking lots at Reliant Stadium?

Reliant Park has nine color-coded lots: Maroon, Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Teal, Green, Purple, and Tan. Directions to each are at reliantpark.com/directions-parking/. Rideshare and taxi drop-off is at Yellow 35, Gate 16B, off Main Street.

When is Rodeo Houston each year?

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs approximately three weeks, typically late February through mid-March. 2027 dates are March 2–21, per rodeohouston.com. Check the official site each year for exact dates and concert lineup.

Can you visit the Astrodome at Reliant Park?

The Astrodome is not open for regular public events as of October 2026. The dome sits about 200 yards west of Reliant Stadium and is visible from the parking lots. Check reliantpark.com or harriscountytx.gov for updates on tours or public access.