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NRG Stadium

Coordinates: 29°41′5″N 95°24′39″W / 29.68472°N 95.41083°W / 29.68472; -95.41083
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NRG Stadium
Interior of NRG Stadium in February 2017 prior to Super Bowl LI.
NRG Stadium is located in Texas
NRG Stadium
NRG Stadium
Location in Texas
NRG Stadium is located in the United States
NRG Stadium
NRG Stadium
Location in the United States
Former namesReliant Stadium (2002–2014)
Address1 NRG Parkway
LocationHouston, Texas, United States
Coordinates29°41′5″N 95°24′39″W / 29.68472°N 95.41083°W / 29.68472; -95.41083
Public transit Stadium Park/Astrodome
OperatorASM Global
Executive suites196
Capacity72,220 (2018–present)[1]
Expandable to 80,000 for special events

Former capacity:

List
    • 71,795 (2014–2017)[2]
    • 71,054 (2003–2013)[3]
    • 69,500 (2002)[4]
Record attendance80,108 – George Strait — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 17, 2019[5]
SurfaceHellas Matrix Helix[6]
Construction
Broke groundMarch 9, 2000 (March 9, 2000)
OpenedAugust 24, 2002 (August 24, 2002)
Construction costUS$352 million
($596 million in 2023 dollars[7])
ArchitectHOK Sport
Houston Stadium Consultants (Architect-of-Record) a joint venture with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam and Hermes Architects
Structural engineerWalter P. Moore
Services engineerM-E Engineers, Inc.[8]
General contractorManhattan/Beers (a joint venture)
Tenants
Website
nrgpark.com/nrg-stadium/

NRG Stadium (previously known as Reliant Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. Construction was completed in 2002, at a cost of $352 million and has a seating capacity of 72,220.[9][10] It was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof.[11]

The stadium is the home of the National Football League's Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Texas Bowl, many of the United States men's national soccer team's matches, Mexico national football team friendlies where El Tri serves as the host, and other events. The stadium served as the host facility for Super Bowls XXXVIII (2004) and LI (2017), the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, and WrestleMania 25 (2009).[12] The stadium will host multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[13]

NRG Stadium is part of a collection of venues (including the Astrodome), which are collectively called NRG Park. The entire complex is named for NRG Energy under a 32-year, $300 million naming rights deal in 2000.

History

[edit]

The Houston NFL Holdings group came to Populous (then HOK Sport) to begin the schematic design for the first-ever NFL retractable roof football stadium in 1997. The intention was to create a football stadium to replace the Astrodome that would operate like an open-air facility but have the intimacy and comfort of an indoor arena. With the design for football and the square footage requirements of the rodeo, the building was designed in the 1.9-million-square-foot (180,000 m2) range.[10] Groundbreaking for the stadium was on March 9, 2000 and the building was officially topped off in October 2001.[14] Construction was completed in 30 months.[15]

The stadium opened on August 24, 2002, with a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans which the Dolphins won 24–3.[16] The stadium hosted its first regular season NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans on September 8, 2002.[17] The first rodeo was held in the stadium in February 2003.[14]

During a Texans preseason game on August 30, 2012, against the Minnesota Vikings, an intoxicated fan fell to his death from an escalator.[18]

On March 19, 2014, the stadium was renamed NRG Stadium, after NRG Energy, the parent company of Reliant Energy.[19]

During the 2015 season, a permanent artificial surface was installed at NRG Stadium. The Texans had used a natural surface since the stadium opened, using a system of trays of sod similar to one used at Giants Stadium in its experiment with using a grass surface. In recent years, the stadium installed artificial turf to be used during high school and college games while keeping the grass for Texans games. After the Texans' home opener, complaints about the field conditions finally led to the installation of the artificial surface for Texans games. The surface brand is UBU Speed, which is part of Act Global.[20]

In 2017, NRG Stadium selected Hellas Construction to install its Matrix Turf with Helix Technology at the stadium. The three year contract calls for a new turf field each year.[21]

After hosting Super Bowl LI, further upgrades were made to keep NRG Stadium competitive with other new NFL venues. The stadium's first major renovation in 15 years modernized the office and team facilities.[22][23][24][25]

On April 19, 2023, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo renamed NRG Stadium to NRG Stadium (Taylor's Version) to celebrate Taylor Swift's much anticipated Eras Tour.[26][27]

Hurricane Ike damage

[edit]

On the night of September 12–13, 2008 the stadium sustained damage from Hurricane Ike forcing the Houston Texans home opener scheduled for September 14 to be postponed. Part of the roof cladding came off, and there was wind and water damage to other sections of the stadium. There were also large pieces of debris inside the stadium from the hurricane and the stadium authority declared that the stadium did not suffer significant structural damage except for the roof, and the Texans would be able to play all of their 8 home games at Reliant Stadium with the roof open.[28][29]

The Texans' home opener against the Baltimore Ravens was initially postponed one day from Sunday, September 14, 2008, to Monday, September 15, but when the extent of the damage from Hurricane Ike became known, the NFL rescheduled the Texans-Ravens game to week 10 (November 9, 2008), which was to have been the bye week for the Ravens and the Texans' scheduled home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.[28] That game was rescheduled to week 8 (October 26), which was to have been the bye week for both the Texans and Bengals. The Bengals' bye week was moved from October 26. The Texans and Ravens took their unexpected bye week in week 2, the weekend Hurricane Ike hit East Texas and the Gulf Coast, despite the fact that both teams were preparing that whole week to play that game as scheduled.

The stadium reopened on October 5, 2008, when the Texans hosted the Indianapolis Colts and hosted three additional home games in October.[29]

The stadium was repaired by Houston-based rope access inspection and construction firm Reel Group Americas on February 13, 2009.

Design and technology

[edit]
Street view

The stadium was designed by the architectural firms of Hermes Reed Architects and Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam who were teamed to create the Houston Stadium Consultants (HSC). The architects of Populous (then HOK Sport) and the HSC worked together with engineers from Walter P Moore and Uni-Systems to design the stadium utilizing the principles of kinetic architecture.[10][30] The facility offers a sense of transparency, with its fabric roof and expansive areas of glazing. At night, the building appears to glow from within. The extensive use of glass provides an open-air feel to the concourses, which are open to the field of play. NRG Stadium has over 7,000 club seats, 186 luxury suites, and multiple lounges and bars.[11] The stadium can be configured to utilize a 125,000-square-foot (11,600 m2) space for meetings, specialty functions, exhibits, and concerts.[9]

One of the most notable aspects of the design is the stadium's retractable, fabric roof. The roof mechanization consists of two large panels that split apart at the 50 yard line, lying over and above each end zone when fully retracted. 10 parallel, tri-chord trusses ride on two parallel rails, each supported by a large, 675 feet (206 m)-long super-truss. Roof operation is controlled in the stadium press box via computer, containing live images of the travel path of each roof panel; plus, furnishing live feedback from all roof components throughout the operation. The roof panels can be opened or closed in as little as 7 minutes, moving at a speed of up to 35 feet (11 m)-per-minute.[31]

One bleacher section behind the north end zone, called the "Bull Pen", is the designated fan section for the hometeam. The fans in the Bull Pen interact directly with the action on the field, helping to create and implement fan traditions, songs, chants, and other elements of the game-day experience for spectators all over the stadium. Fans in the Bull Pen are encouraged to stand throughout the game, sing, cheer, and otherwise support the team in an enthusiastic manner.[32]

In 2011, Reliant updated their logo and therefore had to update their signage all over the stadium.[33]

In December 2012, it was announced that, in order to help bring the Super Bowl back to Houston, the stadium's end zone displays would be replaced with the largest digital displays in any professional sports venue. The video screens were revealed August 16, 2013 and are the second largest of their kind, at a total of 14,549 square feet (1,351.6 m2) of screens. This tops the previous record of AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This has since been topped by the digital display boards located in TIAA Bank Field, the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, now home to the largest digital display boards in any stadium in the world.[34][35]

Stadium usage

[edit]

Sports

[edit]
See also: Sports in Houston

Football

[edit]
NRG Stadium in Super Bowl LI livery.

The Houston Texans have played their home games at NRG Stadium (or Reliant Stadium) since their inception in 2002. The annual calendar consists of 8 regular season and 1-2 pre-season games, plus any playoff games the Texans host. The first game played was on August 24, 2002, in front of 69,432 in attendance as the Texans hosted the Miami Dolphins in their first preseason game.[36] The first regular season game was played on September 8 of that year, where the expansion Texans defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19–10 in front of 69,604.[37] The first Monday Night Football game in Texans history was held on December 1, 2008 at Reliant Stadium. Playing in front of a then-franchise-record crowd of 70,809, the Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 30–17.[38] Since then that record crowd has been broken in the next 2 Texans home games of that season. Their December 7, 2008 home game against the Tennessee Titans saw a then-record crowd of 70,831[39] and the December 28, 2008 home finale against the Chicago Bears drew then a current franchise-crowd record of 70,838.[40] That record was broken on November 23, 2009, when a record crowd of 71,153 was in attendance during the Texans' second ever Monday Night Football game against Houston's former NFL team, the Tennessee Titans.[41] The Texans' home finale of the 2009 season against the New England Patriots on January 3, 2010 drew 71,029.

Banners Outside Before Super Bowl LI

NRG Stadium has hosted 2 Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXVIII (which was marred by a controversial halftime show) and Super Bowl LI (which was the first Super Bowl to go into overtime); both games pitted the New England Patriots against a team from the NFC South.

NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1, 2004 where the New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers, 32–29 in front of 71,525 in attendance.[42]

NRG Stadium hosted the Texans' first playoff game in franchise history on January 7, 2012, with Houston defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 31–10 in an AFC wild card game, drawing 71,725, the largest crowd ever to see a Texans game at Reliant Stadium.[43]

NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl LI in 2017, in which the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history;[44] it was also the first ever overtime game in Super Bowl history.

Interior of Reliant Stadium during a Texans game

Rodeo

[edit]

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (or RodeoHouston) is a co-tenant of NRG Stadium. "The building is as much for the rodeo as it is for the National Football League," according to Leroy Shafer who is assistant general manager of the rodeo's marketing department.[45] The rodeo is held three weeks in March, each year. During this time NRG Stadium also hosts an event on the Xtreme Bulls tour, the bull riding-only tour that is part of the PRCA, who also hosts the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The stadium includes a service area level to house rodeo livestock. The bulls, broncs, steers and roping calves are housed in the north end of the stadium under the lower bowl. Loading and unloading dock space to support the rodeo is located on the north end of the stadium. During rodeo performances, rolling doors will separate the dock into two receiving areas to isolate the food and concession deliveries from the rodeo equipment and livestock deliveries. A 42-foot (13 m) concert performance stage is located at the south end of the stadium during rodeo events and is moved into the center of the facility by a hydraulic drive system for rodeo concert performances.[45]

On February 25, 2012, the PBR brought its premier bull riding tour, the Built Ford Tough Series, to Reliant Stadium for the first time ever. It was the first time that a PBR event was a part of RodeoHouston.[46][47] In addition, it was their first event in Houston in 11 years, after having previously held an event at the Compaq Center annually between 1998 and 2001.

Interior of Reliant Stadium at the 2006 rodeo

College football

[edit]

College football's Texas Bowl and Texas Kickoff are annually hosted at the stadium. The first-ever edition of the Texas Bowl featured a game between Rutgers University and Kansas State University, with Rutgers winning 37–10. The stadium hosted the Houston Bowl before the Texas Bowl's inception and also hosted both the 2002 and 2005 Big 12 Championship Games. The 2005 game featured Houston native Vince Young at quarterback for the University of Texas at Austin and led the Longhorns to a 70–3 rout of the University of Colorado in front of 71,107.[48] In addition, the East–West Shrine Game was held there in 2007.

A Bayou Classic game between Grambling State and Southern was held here in November 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina damage at the rivalry's usual venue of the Superdome.[49]

Each of the city's two Division I FBS schools, the University of Houston and Rice University, has played regular season home games at NRG Stadium in the past. The Houston–Rice football rivalry game, the Bayou Bucket Classic, was held there in 2004, and in 2011, the game was announced to be played at Reliant Stadium for the 2012 and 2013 seasons as well.[50]

The stadium also hosts the "Battle of the Piney Woods" since 2010.[51] It is one of the oldest football rivalries in Texas, featuring Division I FCS Sam Houston State University and Stephen F. Austin State University. The series was originally scheduled to run until 2013,[52] before being extended to 2017, and finally in April 2015, the stadium was made the permanent home of the series.[53]

The two largest historically black universities in Texas, Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, each have played selected regular season home games at NRG Stadium as well.

The SWAC Championship Game was held at the stadium from 2013 until 2017.[54]

In 2017, NRG Stadium was announced as a future site for the College Football Playoff National Championship game; it hosted the event on January 8, 2024 (ending the 2023 college football season), which featured the Michigan Wolverines (winners of the Rose Bowl) and the Washington Huskies (winners of the Sugar Bowl).[55]

High school football

[edit]

NRG Stadium is regularly utilized by varsity football teams as a neutral site during the University Interscholastic League football playoffs.

Soccer

[edit]

NRG Stadium also hosts international soccer matches. The games are generally held in the spring and summer before the NFL season starts. The stadium hosted CONCACAF Gold Cup matches from 2005 to 2011. The Gold Cup matches in 2007 included first round matches, and a quarterfinal doubleheader match. The venue's attendance record was set during a preparation match between the Mexico national team and the U.S. men's soccer team.

On February 6, 2008, United States v Mexico was held at Reliant Stadium to a capacity crowd of 70,103. The previous USA v Mexico match in Reliant Stadium drew a sellout crowd of 69,582 fans on May 8, 2003 and is the largest home crowd for the United States men's national team this decade,[56] until they played Mexico for a capacity crowd of 79,156 fans in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Reliant Stadium hosted the 2010 MLS All-Star Game as 70,728 fans watched Manchester United defeat the MLS All-Stars 5–2.[57]

On January 25, 2012, Venezuela played a friendly match with Mexico, with Mexico winning 3–1.[58] On May 31, 2013, Mexico played another friendly, with Nigeria, which ended in a 2–2 draw.[59]

In June 2016, NRG Stadium hosted two matches in the group stage and one semifinal in the Copa América Centenario. Costa Rica beat Colombia 3–2. Mexico and Venezuela drew 1–1. Argentina beat the United States 4–0; Lionel Messi scored a free kick, making him Argentina's all-time leading scorer.

Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Tournament Spectators
May 8, 2003  United States 0–0  Mexico Friendly 69,582
July 11, 2005  Guatemala 1–1  South Africa 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C 45,311
 Mexico 1–0  Jamaica
July 17, 2005  Colombia 2–1  Mexico 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals 60,050
 Panama 1–1
(5–3 pen.)		  South Africa
November 16, 2005  Bulgaria 3–0  Mexico Friendly 35,526
June 13, 2007  Honduras 5–0  Cuba 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C 68,417
 Mexico 1–0  Panama
June 17, 2007  Mexico 1–0
(a.e.t.)		  Costa Rica 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals 70,092
 Guadeloupe 2–1  Honduras
February 6, 2008  United States 2–2  Mexico Friendly 70,103
June 15, 2008  Mexico 2–0  Belize 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 50,137
July 9, 2009  Guadeloupe 2–0  Nicaragua 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C 47,713
 Mexico 1–1  Panama
May 13, 2010  Mexico 1–0  Angola Friendly 70,099
July 28, 2010 England Manchester United 5–2 United StatesCanada MLS All-Stars 2010 MLS All-Star Game 70,728
June 22, 2011  United States 1–0  Panama 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals 70,627
 Mexico 2–0
(a.e.t.)		  Honduras
January 25, 2012  Mexico 3–1  Venezuela Friendly 40,128
May 31, 2013  Mexico 2–2  Nigeria Friendly 62,107
August 6, 2014 Italy Milan 3–0 Mexico Guadalajara Club Friendly 14,871
July 1, 2015  Mexico 0–0  Honduras Friendly 70,128
June 11, 2016  Costa Rica 3–2  Colombia Copa América Centenario Group A 45,808
June 13, 2016  Mexico 1–1  Venezuela Copa América Centenario Group C 67,319
June 21, 2016  Argentina 4–0  United States Copa América Centenario semifinals 70,858
June 28, 2017  Mexico 1–0  Ghana Friendly 37,617
July 20, 2017 England Manchester United 2–0 England Manchester City 2017 International Champions Cup 67,401
September 7, 2018  Uruguay 4–1  Mexico Friendly 60,617
June 29, 2019  Haiti 3–2  Canada 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals 70,788
 Mexico 1–1
(5–4 pen.)		  Costa Rica
July 20, 2019 Germany Bayern Munich 3–1 Spain Real Madrid 2019 International Champions Cup 60,143
July 29, 2021  Mexico 2–1  Canada 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals 70,304
July 20, 2022 England Manchester City 2–1 Mexico América Club Friendly 61,223
June 25, 2023  Haiti 2–1  Qatar 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B 66,255
 Mexico 4–0  Honduras
July 26, 2023 Spain Real Madrid 2–0 England Manchester United Club Friendly 67,801
June 22, 2024  Mexico 1–0  Jamaica 2024 Copa América 53,763
June 24, 2024  Colombia 2–1  Paraguay 67,059
July 4, 2024  Argentina 1–1
(4–2 pen.)		  Ecuador 69,456
August 3, 2024 Mexico UANL 2–1 United States Inter Miami CF 2024 Leagues Cup 46,080
October 13, 2024 Mexico América 2–0 Mexico Guadalajara Club Friendly 54,117
July 6, 2025 TBD – TBD 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final

2026 FIFA World Cup

[edit]

NRG Stadium will host multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is one of eleven US venues which have been selected. It is also one of two venues in Texas which have been selected to host matches, the other being AT&T Stadium in Arlington. During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Houston Stadium" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names.[60] The stadium will host seven matches: five group stage matches, one Round of 32 match, and one Round of 16 match on Independence Day.[61]

Date Time (UTC−5) Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round Attendance
June 14, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group E
June 17, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group K
June 20, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group F
June 23, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group K
June 26, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group H
June 29, 2026 --:-- Winner Group C – Runner-up Group F Round of 32
July 4, 2026 --:-- Winner Match 73 – Winner Match 75 Round of 16

College basketball

[edit]

The stadium has hosted the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament several times, including the 2008, 2010 & 2015 South Regional semifinals and finals, and the Final Four in 2011, 2016, and 2023.

Motorsports

[edit]

For the past eighteen years, NRG Stadium has played host to Monster Jam. Also, it has hosted a round of the AMA Supercross Championship since 2003, replacing the Astrodome which had been host since 1974.[62]

Concerts

[edit]

The stadium is a regular concert venue and has featured performers such as The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Beyoncé, U2, Guns N' Roses, One Direction, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay over the years. When Taylor Swift returned in 2023 for The Eras Tour, she became the first act in stadium history to sell out three shows on a single tour.[63]

Hockey

[edit]
  • On September 23, 2011 the Dallas Stars and the Phoenix Coyotes were scheduled to play a preseason game. This proposed game was later canceled citing costs to put ice in the stadium.[64][65]

Other events

[edit]

Rice University uses executive offices in the stadium to teach a professional sports management class.[66]

The stadium hosted WrestleMania 25 on April 5, 2009.

The Howdy Modi event was held on September 22, 2019 by Texas India Forum.

During the summer of 2019, the stadium hosted two international conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses, gathering thousands of delegates from around the world.[67][68]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Zerkel, Alex; Gellerman, Jake; Drexler, Sam; Cocchiaro, Nicolas; Marin, Matt (August 6, 2018). "Official 2018 National Football League Record & Fact Book" (PDF). National Football League. p. 69. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "2014 Houston Texans Season in Review" (PDF). Houston Texans. December 28, 2014. p. 8. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "2003 Houston Texans Media Guide" (PDF). Houston Texans. 2003. p. 2. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "2002 Houston Texans Media Guide" (PDF). Houston Texans. 2002. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 18, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  5. ^ "Attendance". www.rodeohouston.com. June 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "Houston Texans NFL football team playing on Hellas Matrix Turf at NRG Stadium". www.hellasconstruction.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  7. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "Projects". M-E Engineers, Inc. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  9. ^ a b "Reliant Park, Reliant Park Info, Reliant Stadium". Reliant Stadium. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c "Reliant Stadium". Ballparks.com. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Houston Texans – Reliant Stadium". NFL Team History. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  12. ^ "City of Houston Will Host Super Bowl LI in 2017". KTRK. Houston. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  13. ^ "FIFA unveils stellar line-up of FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host Cities". FIFA. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Architecture of Reliant Stadium – Houston, Texas, United States of America". Glass, Steel and Stone. Archived from the original on October 9, 2002. Retrieved March 30, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ Caudle, Brian H. (July 2003). "Wide Open Spaces" (PDF). Modern Steel Construction. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  16. ^ "Texans Team History". Houston Texans. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  17. ^ "Quick Facts – Reliant Park, Reliant Park Info, Quick Facts". Archived from the original on February 27, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  18. ^ Christian, Carol (September 25, 2012). "Man Who Fell from Reliant Stadium Escalator Was Intoxicated". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  19. ^ Collier, Kiah (March 19, 2014). "Reliant Park Will Now Be NRG". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  20. ^ McClain, John (August 16, 2016). "Texans Unveil New Playing Service at NRG Stadium". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  21. ^ "Hellas Installs Turf at NRG Stadium, Named Texans Preferred Turf Provider" (Press release). Hellas Construction. September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2017. Hellas Construction was selected this year by Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) to install a new Matrix® Turf field at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans football team and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™
  22. ^ Smith, Brian T. (February 12, 2017). "Facing the reality of NRG Stadium upgrades". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  23. ^ Spedden, Zach (June 28, 2018). "Texans Working on NRG Stadium Renovations". Football Stadium Digest. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  24. ^ Stradley, Stephanie (February 14, 2017). "Stradley: Stop Dome dreaming: Upgrade NRG now". Chron. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Jen Para (Houston Business Journal) (August 15, 2018). "Here's what's new at NRG Stadium for 2018 football season". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ^ "NRG Stadium renamed in honor of Taylor Swift concerts". kagstv.com. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Chron, Ariana Garcia (April 19, 2023). "NRG Stadium to be renamed in honor of Taylor Swift coming to Houston". Chron. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Mortensen, Chris; Walker, James (September 14, 2008). "Damage to Reliant Stadium forces rescheduling of Texans-Ravens". ESPN. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  29. ^ a b McClain, John (October 4, 2008). "Texans to Host Colts at Reliant Under Open Roof". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  30. ^ "Reliant Stadium Project Details". Uni-Systems, Inc. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  31. ^ "Reliant Stadium" (PDF). Modern Steel Construction. April 2004. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  32. ^ "Bull Pen". Houston Texans. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  33. ^ "Reliant Rebranding". Houston Texans. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  34. ^ Woodard, Brad (December 20, 2012). "Reliant Stadium Will Get Bigger, Better LED Scoreboards". KHOU. Houston. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  35. ^ Raji, Bayan (December 20, 2012). "Reliant Stadium to Get Widest Display in Pro Sports". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  36. ^ Robertson, Dale (August 26, 2002). "Robertson: Texans Could Use Some Beef, but Reliant's a Whopper". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  37. ^ Bell, Jarrett (September 9, 2002). "New Texans Boot Cowboys 19-10". USA Today. p. 10C.
  38. ^ McClain, John (December 1, 2008). "Texans Dominate Jaguars in Monday Night Debut". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  39. ^ Schenck, Nick (December 28, 2008). "Texans Defeat Titans 13-12". Houston Texans. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  40. ^ Schenck, Nick (December 28, 2008). "Texans Beat Bears 31-24". Houston Texans. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  41. ^ Justice, Richard (November 24, 2009). "Justice: Loss Is a Kick to Gut of Texans, Their Fans". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  42. ^ Justice, Richard (February 2, 2004). "City's Second Super Bowl Will Be Tough Act to Follow". Houston Chronicle. p. A: 1. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  43. ^ Solomon, Jerome (January 8, 2012). "Texans' Sweet Win Was Worth the Wait". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  44. ^ Breech, John (February 6, 2017). "Tom Brady Leads Biggest Comeback in Super Bowl History, Sets Multiple Records". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  45. ^ a b Qaddumi, Thora (January 26, 2003). "Reliant Stadium: Ready to Rodeo From Design Concept to Showtime". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
  46. ^ "Coming Home To Houston". Professional Bull Riders. 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  47. ^ "PBR Announces 2012 Built Ford Tough Series Schedule" (Press release). Professional Bull Riders. November 9, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  48. ^ Duarte, Joseph (December 4, 2005). "Longhorns Win One for the Roses". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  49. ^ Hopper, Leigh (November 26, 2005). "Grambling Defeats Southern in Bayou Classic". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  50. ^ Bower, Moise Kapenda (August 31, 2011). "Rice Ready to Compete When Bayou Bucket Moves to Reliant". Fox Sports Houston. Retrieved October 9, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  51. ^ Turner, Ronnie (October 23, 2010). "Battle of the Piney Woods comes to Reliant Stadium". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  52. ^ Duarte, Joseph (October 20, 2009). "Sam Houston, SFA Reach 4-Year Pact to Play at Reliant". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  53. ^ "NRG Stadium to Become Permanent Home of Battle of the Piney Woods" (Press release). Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. April 8, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  54. ^ Coleman, Adam (June 13, 2017). "SWAC to Drop Football Title Game, Focus on Celebration Bowl". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  55. ^ Schroeder, George (November 1, 2017). "College Football Playoff Announces Sites for 2021-24, Including Indianapolis in 2022". USA Today. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to NRG Stadium.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
first stadium
 Home of the
Houston Texans
2002 – present 		Succeeded by
current
Preceded by Host of the Super Bowl
XXXVIII 2004
LI 2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the
Big 12 Championship Game
2002
2005 		Succeeded by

Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Preceded by Host of WrestleMania
2009 (25) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NCAA Men's Division I
Basketball Tournament
Finals Venue
2011
2016
2023 		Succeeded by
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