Host History.
Houston is in the midst of its second boom as a host city for America’s most significant sporting events. The first boom was tied directly to the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome, in the 1970s.
Today’s big events boom is undoubtedly due to some of the finest facilities in the world, including NRG Stadium, the Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, and Shell Energy Stadium. The city also boasts two major international airports that offer direct flights to XXX major metropolitan markets, a light rail line connecting all four major professional venues, and thousands of luxurious hotel rooms close to all the action.
Today’s boom started in early 2004 with Super Bowl XXXVIII and will continue through at least 2026 when we play host to the FIFA World Cup. Look back with us at the highlights of some of these major events:
2004
Super Bowl XXXVIII
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2004
MLB All-Star Game
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2006
NBA All-Star Game
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2010
Super Bowl XXXVIII
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2011
Super Bowl XXXVIII
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2013
Super Bowl XXXVIII
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2016
Super Bowl XXXVIII
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2016
Super Bowl XXXVIII
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.
2017
Super Bowl LI
The event that started it all for Houston over the last 20 years. In just its second season of existence, Reliant Stadium, as it was called at the time, brought football’s biggest event to Houston for the first time in 30 years. More than 71,000 fans packed the stadium to witness a thriller, as the New England Patriots topped the Carolina Panthers 32-29 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri with four seconds left. The teams combined for 37 points in a frantic fourth quarter that featured four ties or lead changes.