Houston Texans Fan Guide: Stadium, Tailgating & Tickets

At a glance

Stadium: Reliant Stadium (formerly NRG Stadium), Reliant Park, 8825 Kirby Dr.
Gates: Typically open two hours before kickoff
Parking lots: Open four hours before kickoff (Platinum five); prepaid passes
Getting there: METRORail Red Line to Stadium Park/Astrodome Station
Bags: NFL clear bag policy (12 x 6 x 12 in.)
Tickets: Official Texans tickets page; mobile-only

The Houston Texans play at Reliant Stadium, the retractable-roof stadium just inside the South Loop that most Houstonians spent a decade calling NRG Stadium. This guide covers what you need for a home game: the stadium, tickets, the tailgate rules that actually get enforced, the train ride that beats game-day traffic, and a short history of Houston's NFL team.

The Stadium: Reliant Stadium (Formerly NRG Stadium)

The stadium opened as Reliant Stadium in 2002, became NRG Stadium in 2014, and took back its original name in August 2026, in time for the Texans' 25th season. The surrounding complex, which includes the Astrodome, is now Reliant Park again. Signs, apps and older tickets may still say NRG for a while; it's the same place. Reliant Park's main address is 8825 Kirby Drive, between Kirby Drive and Fannin Street inside the southern stretch of Loop 610.

The same stadium hosts the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo every spring. If you're planning that, read our Houston Rodeo guide.

Tickets

Buy from the official Texans tickets page, which covers single games, season tickets and the team's approved resale options. Tickets are mobile-only, so set them up on your phone before you leave home.

Before you go:

Stadium gates typically open two hours before kickoff.
The NFL clear bag policy applies. Clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a one-gallon clear zip-top bag, or a small clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches are allowed.
Anyone over age two entering Reliant Park property needs a game ticket or a tailgate ticket.

Check the Know Before You Go page the week of the game; policies can change between seasons.

Tailgating: The Official Rules

Tailgating is half the reason to go, and the Texans publish clear tailgate guidelines. The short version:

Parking lots open four hours before kickoff (the Platinum lot opens five hours before).
Each valid parking pass gets one 8-by-16-foot space. Stay out of the drive lanes.
Spots are first-come, first-served for the first hour. No saving spaces.
Charcoal grills and open flames are allowed, but no lighter fluid or other flammable liquids. Use quick-start charcoal or an electric starter. Each cooking area needs a fire extinguisher, and hot coals go only in the orange dumpsters.
Towing a barbecue pit requires an extra prepaid hangtag. You can't buy one at the gate.
No glass, kegs, drones, golf carts or pets other than service animals. Keep speakers at a reasonable volume; the city sound limit applies.
Tents and chairs must be packed away before you head into the stadium.
Postgame tailgating is allowed for one hour after the game ends, then lots close.

Getting There

By METRORail. The easiest way to a Texans game is the Red Line. It runs down Main Street from downtown through Midtown, the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center to Stadium Park/Astrodome Station, a short walk from the stadium. METRO usually runs extra trains on game days. Our METRO Houston guide explains fares and how to pay.

Park and ride the train. If you're driving in from the south or west, the Fannin South park-and-ride at 1604 West Bellfort Avenue is one stop from the stadium. On big event days, METRO charges a flat event parking fee (card only) that includes a round-trip rail wristband for everyone in the car.

By car. Reliant Park's lots are color-coded and sold in advance; buy a pass through the official parking page rather than hoping for space on the day. Oversized vehicles and RVs need multiple prepaid passes.

Rideshare. The rideshare and taxi drop-off is at the Yellow lot off Main Street.

Food

Inside the stadium, concession stands and the team's maps show what's on each level; prices are stadium prices. For a sit-down meal before or after, the Medical Center and the stretch of Main Street along the Red Line are close by. Start with our guide to restaurants near the Texas Medical Center, or ride the train north and eat in Midtown or downtown.

The Season at a Glance

NFL preseason games are played in August, the regular season runs from September into early January, and the playoffs follow in January and February. Kickoff times can move for national TV, sometimes only a couple of weeks out. Plan around the official Texans schedule.

A Short History of the Texans

Houston lost its first NFL team after the 1996 season. Bob McNair led the effort to bring football back, and on October 9, 1999, the NFL awarded Houston an expansion franchise. The Texans played their first regular-season game in 2002 and beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-10. The team won its first AFC South title and made its first playoff appearance in the 2011 season, winning its first postseason game that January.

For Houston's other teams, visit our sports hub, or see our Houston Astros fan guide.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Reliant Stadium (NRG Stadium) by train?

Ride the METRORail Red Line south along Main Street to Stadium Park/Astrodome Station, a short walk from the stadium. METRO typically adds trains on Texans game days.

Is NRG Stadium now called Reliant Stadium?

Yes. The stadium returned to its original name, Reliant Stadium, in August 2026, and NRG Park became Reliant Park. It is the same stadium the Texans have played in since 2002.

When do parking lots open for tailgating at Texans games?

Lots open four hours before kickoff, and the Platinum lot five hours before. Postgame tailgating is allowed for one hour after the game.

Can you use charcoal grills at Texans tailgates?

Yes. Open flames are allowed, but lighter fluid and other flammable liquids are banned. Use quick-start charcoal or an electric starter, keep a fire extinguisher at the grill, and dump hot coals only in the orange dumpsters.

Where can I park and ride to a Texans game?

METRO's Fannin South park-and-ride at 1604 West Bellfort Avenue is one Red Line stop from the stadium. A flat event parking fee includes a round-trip rail wristband for each passenger.