FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee Reports Operational, Attendance and Transportation Metrics Through First Two Weeks of FIFA World Cup 2026™

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee today released attendance, transportation, public safety and operational data from the first 15 days of the tournament, highlighting activity across official FIFA World Cup 26™ events in Houston.

Key Metrics Through Day 15 of Tournament

• 557,979 Total participants across FIFA World Cup™-related events 

• 273,860 Match attendees at Houston Stadium 

  • 246,169 total riders on METRORail throughout four matchdays

  • 21 Goals scored across four Houston matches to date

• 276,119 Participants at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston and Houston Dynamo Soccer Celebration events in East Downtown Houston

• 36,000 Participants in four distinct organized fan walks 

With four matches completed at Houston Stadium and daily programming continuing at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston in East Downtown, combined attendance across official FIFA World Cup-related events is well over 500,000 participants.

"Through the first two weeks of the tournament, Houston's focus has remained on delivering safe,welcoming and fun experiences for fans, teams, media and stakeholders," said Chris Canetti, President of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee. "The attendance figures, transportation performance and operational outcomes reflect years of planning and collaboration among public agencies, community partners, FIFA and thousands of staff and volunteers. While there is still significant tournament activity ahead, we are encouraged by the results to date." 

Attendance Across FIFA World Cup™ Events 

Houston has welcomed 273,860 fans to its first four FIFA World Cup™ matches at Houston Stadium. 

Match Attendance 

• June 14, 2026: Germany vs. Curaçao — 68,021 

• June 17, 2026: Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo — 68,777 

• June 20, 2026: Netherlands vs. Sweden — 68,285 

• June 23, 2026: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan — 68,777 

In addition, FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston has welcomed 208,919 fans, not including attendance from two full days and one partial day when weather-related closures occurred due to lightning in the area. 

When attendance from the Houston Dynamo Soccer Celebration events in East Downtown Houston is included, total fan-event participation reaches 276,119.

For the 10 days FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston has operated at full capacity, attendance has averaged 16,431 visitors per day, approximately 10% above Host Committee projections. 

“The incredible turnout at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston reflects the power of sports to bring people together and that soccer is truly a global unifier," said Ryan Walsh, CEO of the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation. “Thousands of fans from across the Houston region and around the world have gathered to celebrate not only the matches, but also the cultures and diversity that make our city world-class. We’re proud to bring events like this that strengthen our community, create lasting memories, and showcase Houston as the premier destination for international events."

The broader East Downtown neighborhood has seen a tremendous increase in visits overall, as fans visit FIFA Fan Festival™, Shell Energy Stadium and Football Fiesta locations. Per data from the East Downtown Management District, from June 11-22, East Downtown experienced 320,300 visits, an increase of +177% over the same period last year. Fans are spending an average of 143 minutes in the neighborhood as they experience FIFA Fan Festival™ and the surrounding dining and entertainment options within Football Fiesta.

Additionally, through Visit Sugar Land’s Host City Supporter partnership, the FIFA World Cup 2026™  Houston Host Committee also brought the tournament experience to fans beyond downtown Houston by hosting four official FIFA World Cup™ watch parties at Sugar Land Town Square. The free community events drew a combined attendance of approximately 8,000 fans.

Match Activity at Houston Stadium 

Through four matches, a total of 21 goals have been scored at Houston Stadium. 

Goals Scored 

• Germany vs. Curaçao — Germany 7, Curaçao 1 

• Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo — Portugal 1, Democratic Republic of Congo 1 

• Netherlands vs. Sweden — Netherlands 5, Sweden 1 

• Portugal vs. Uzbekistan — Portugal 5, Uzbekistan 0 

The matches included several notable tournament milestones, including Curaçao's first goal in FIFA World Cup™ history and Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the first player to score in six FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. 

Fan Walk Participation 

Organized fan walks to Houston Stadium have become a recurring feature of the tournament experience in Houston. 

To date, an estimated 36,000 supporters have participated in official organized fan walks leading fans toward Houston Stadium on their teams’ respective matchdays. 

• 25,000 — Netherlands supporters at fan walk, marking the largest Oranje fanwalk in the United States during FIFA World Cup 2026

• 5,000 — Sweden supporters at dedicated fan walk

• 3,000 — Portugal followers at fan walk

• 3,000 — Uzbekistan aficionados at fan walk

Transportation Operations 

Houston's transportation network has played a key role in moving fans between Houston Stadium, FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, East Downtown, downtown hotels and entertainment districts. 

Across Houston's first four FIFA World Cup 2026™ matchdays, METRORail has carried 246,169 riders, demonstrating the system's critical role in moving supporters around the city. 

• 48,183 riders — Germany vs. Curaçao matchday

• 59,937 riders — Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo matchday

• 69,765 riders — Netherlands vs. Sweden matchday

• 68,284 riders — Portugal vs. Uzbekistan matchday

Additionally, following the Portugal-Uzbekistan match, METRO also recorded an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 riders during post-match egress, representing the highest event-related ridership surge in the agency's history. 

"The transportation outcomes we have seen through four matchdays are the result of extensive planning and coordination across METRO, the Host Committee and multiple agencies and partners," said John Coppins, Vice President of Operations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee. "Our objective has been to move large numbers of people safely and efficiently while maintaining a positive experience for residents and visitors. METRO, public safety agencies, Houston Stadium operators and FIFA have worked together to successfully support these operations." 

Public Safety and Medical Operations 

With more than half a million attendees across fan-focused events, law enforcement agencies have reported a respectful and positive environment with no major issues and below expected heat-related incidences with less than 0.005% of event attendees seeking heat-related medical assistance. Host Committee officials report that cooling stations, hydration stations, shaded areas and coordinated medical response plans have contributed to heat mitigation efforts at both FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston and Houston Stadium. 

Looking Ahead 

Houston will host three additional FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches at Houston Stadium and continue daily FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston programming through the remainder of the tournament. 

"We are approaching the midpoint of Houston's World Cup schedule, and our priority remains consistent execution across every aspect of the event," Canetti said. "The focus now is on maintaining the same level of operational performance as we welcome additional teams, supporters and visitors in the weeks ahead."