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This is a guide to the Houston Texans home stadium (NRG Stadium). Going to a NFL game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Houston Texans tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a Texans Game
- Houston Texans Ticket Information
- NRG Stadium Gate Information
- Best Place to Park at NRG Stadium
- Does NRG Stadium Take Cash?
- How Long are Houston Texans Games?
- Where is the Texans Team Shop?
What to Bring to a Houston Texans Game?
If you are going to a Houston Texans game, planning ahead is always important. Below is a list of things you might need to bring, and you will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Clear Stadium Bag – NFL stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Make sure to verify the size dimensions meets the size standards for NRG Stadium.
- Reserve Parking – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Houston Texans parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Weather Protection – NRG Stadium has a retractable roof that is usually closed during Texans games. Still, you will want to be mindful of the weather so you are prepared for the walk to the stadium from your parking spot.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is a good idea.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
Can You Bring a Bag Into NRG Stadium?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, NFL stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. There are strict regulations regarding the types of bags allowed inside a stadium. The NFL recommends fans to use clear stadium bags like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Houston Texans fan guide.
Houston Texans Ticket Information
Buying Texans Tickets
Yes, you can buy Texans tickets at the stadium, but only as long as supplies last. That said, because NFL games usually sellout, it is very difficult to buy tickets at the stadium on gameday. Buying in advance is almost always necessary.
You can buy your tickets directly from the team’s website, but once the game is sold-out, you will need to use the secondary ticket market, where you can buy Texans tickets that are being re-sold. For these types of tickets, I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase.
- Click here to view Houston Texans tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
The NRG Stadium Ticket Office is located on the south side of NRG Stadium inside the Bud Light Plaza. They can provide assistance for ticket-related issues. It is important to note that all Houston Texans season tickets are digital. Tickets are received through the Houston Texans Mobile App. There is no print-at-home option for any Houston Texans game tickets.
Please remember that NFL stadiums have adopted mobile ticketing in an attempt to reduce the risk of ticket fraud. To learn more about how the Texans mobile ticketing works, click here.
To read more, visit our article about purchasing Texans tickets at the stadium.
NRG Stadium Gate Information
NRG Stadium has four main gates for fans to use, and the stadium also has multiple club entrances. NRG Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff for Houston Texans games (source).
To read more about the location of entry gates, visit our NRG Stadium Gate Guide.
Best Place to Park at NRG Stadium for Texans Games
NRG Stadium uses colors to name the parking lots around the stadium (like blue lot, red lot, etc). But it is important to understand that each lot is also broken down by numbers. For example, the NRG Stadium Purple Lot consists of lot number 31 and 32.
To learn more, I would advise you to visit our Houston Texans Parking Guide. Here are some tips to consider:
- Buy Prepaid Parking if Possible – Buying in advance helps reduce hassle and helps ensure that you have a parking spot on gameday. This is where you can view the current price of parking passes available for Texans games at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Can You Purchase Parking On Site? – Yes, there are a limited number of spots available for purchase on site on gameday (no cash accepted). These spots are available in the NRG Stadium Maroon Lot (accessed via NRG Stadium Gate 5 Parking Entrance from 610 Loop service road) and the NRG Stadium Yellow Lot (accessed via NRG Stadium Gate 16A Parking Entrance from McNee).
- How Early Can You Arrive? – Most NRG Stadium parking lots open four hours prior to kickoff, including the pay-on-site parking lots we discussed above. You may queue in line 30 minutes prior to that if you are worried about getting a parking spot (source).
- Take METRO Rail – If you don’t want to fight with parking, there is a METRO Rail Station near NRG Stadium. It is located near the intersection of NRG Parkway and Fannin (view). To read more about the Metro Rail, click here.
How Long Do Houston Texans Games Last?
You can expect a Houston Texans game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to 3.5 hours (or longer) depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average length of a Houston Texans game was 3 hours and 2 minutes.
In 2021, the longest Houston Texans game lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes, and the shortest Houston Texans game lasted 2 hours and 52 minutes. The main takeaway is most Houston Texans games last slightly over three hours, but there are exceptions both ways.
To read more, visit our article about the length of football games.
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference Gamelogs
Where is the Texans Team Shop?
There are several retail shops located around NRG Stadium, but the main Texans Team Shop is located on the south side of the stadium, near the Bud Light Plaza (view).
If you are shopping for Texans fan gear, you can also do that online. This is where you can view Texans gear available at NFLShop.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com). If you want to read more about the different types of Texans fan jerseys, visit our Texans jersey guide.
Does NRG Stadium Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
NRG Stadium does not accept cash inside the stadium for food, beverage, and merchandise transactions (source). The team recommends fans to bring debit/credit cards, or to use mobile payment methods.
NRG Stadium Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with NRG Stadium, the Houston Texans, the NFL, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the team or NRG Stadium staff. Contact information is below:
- NRG Stadium – View Contact Information
- Houston Texans – View Contact Information
- NRG Stadium Map – NRG Stadium Map
- Buying Houston Texans Tickets
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Houston Texans tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).