When Britney Garza learned that Houston would be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, she knew she wanted her children to be part of the experience. But ticket prices in the tens of thousands of dollars and matches scheduled during the workday left Garza disappointed.
Then she learned about a Fan Festival in East Downtown and heard the magic four-letter word that sealed her family’s plans for the entire month of June: free.
“We’re going to be there every day that it’s open and I can get off work,” Garza said. “I’ve taken my kids to the Dynamo games and they had the time of their little lives. I would never want to miss the opportunity to be part of a global event, a cultural event, and make those memories that they’re going to cherish forever.”
Fan Fest kicks off Thursday, June 11, at 12:30 p.m. and will run every day that a World Cup match is being played, even if the contest is not in Houston. The games will be displayed on massive screens surrounded by a soccer pitch for youth tournaments and open play. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, soccer simulators and cultural celebrations.
It’s going to be hot, but organizers planned for that. Misting stations, sunscreen kiosks and free water will be available throughout the four-block festival zone, and a full-scale medical clinic with an emergency physician will be on site.
Samir Becic, Houston’s health fitness czar, grew up in Europe and says he’s convinced that international travelers are unprepared for the weather.
“You and I know that the Texas summer heat is no joke,” Becic said. “Even visitors from southern Europe who are used to the heat often underestimate the combination of high temperature, humidity, long walking distances and intense sun exposure. Most people are not used to being outdoors for seven or eight hours.”
But he’s also worried about first responders and volunteers. He’s been giving briefings this week to the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, HPD and other law enforcement agencies and shares the same advice he gives to Houstonians and international guests: Drink water all day even if you’re not thirsty. Wear light, loose, breathable clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Use sunscreen. Take a break every 90 minutes in a shaded area or an air-conditioned space. Limit alcohol and caffeine and alternate it with water. Eat lean proteins and light foods rather than heavy carbohydrates.
If someone appears to be suffering from a heat-related illness, Becic advises putting ice on the back of their neck or in the palms of their hands, moving them to a shaded or air-conditioned area and letting them drink some water.
“I grew up with the soccer fans in Europe and they are the most extreme fans,” Becic said. “I mean that in a not very positive way. Many of them drink lots of alcohol and that increases aggression and causes them to be dehydrated. You become delusional and have impaired judgment. That’s why you have so many fights during soccer games.”
Becic said he’s suggested to first responders that they cut the international guests some slack. “Soccer fans are used to being aggressive. They’re used to being extremely loud. They drink more than they should. We should be more understanding of their behavior. They will only be here for a few weeks. We don’t have to change our culture in terms of how to keep the law and order but we should be gracious hosts and try to understand their culture.”
“I tell them that your health is your greatest asset,” Becic says. “Protect it as you protect your passport and your soccer tickets.”
Road Closures
FIFA Fan Fest will be open every day from June 11 through July 19, with the exception of July 8, 12, 13, 16 and 17, because no matches are scheduled on those days. The gates will open 90 minutes prior to a match.
Guests are encouraged to check the Fan Fest website to determine what days they want to attend, as themes like First Responders Day and 80s Day have been assigned to certain dates, and special appearances from professional soccer players are scheduled throughout the festival’s duration. “Know before you go” information on bag policies, parking, rideshare maps, walking paths and street closures and hours of operation is also available at fwc26houston.com.
Although organizers have emphasized that they expect 500,000 visitors to Houston for the World Cup, they won’t all be in town at the same time. However, heavy traffic on Houston match days is inevitable, and fans are encouraged to ride the METRO or use rideshare.
The Fan Fest zone runs from Walker to Polk, bounded by Emancipation Avenue and Saint Emanuel. Within that area, portions of Walker, McKinney, Lamar, Dallas and Polk will be shut down.
Streets marked in pink will be closed through August 7 with no vehicular traffic. Those marked in purple will be closed to vehicular traffic through July 23. Those marked in light blue will be closed to account for increased pedestrian traffic one hour prior to Fan Festival opening each day through July 19 and will open up again each day after Fan Fest shuts down.
While some streets marked on the map above will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of Fan Festival, businesses and residential communities will still have direct access to their building’s parking options with a placard.
Fan Fest is accessible via two entrances at Polk and Walker streets. The street closures will be offset by walkable routes from downtown to EaDo, frequent pick-ups and drop-offs on the METRO Green and Purple lines, a designated rideshare near a Fan Fest entry point, and 90,000 parking spaces within three miles of the Fan Fest site.
Christian Gordon, 24, a graduate student studying for his master’s of business administration at Georgetown University, is volunteering at Fan Fest as part of a summer internship. Gordon says he plays “American football, not futbol,” but enjoys being around the World Cup excitement.
“This is the greatest thing that could happen for Houston,” he says. “It’s really bringing people together.”
Chris Canetti, president of the Houston Host Committee, says Fan Fest is a main attraction, the place “to watch matches and celebrate the World Cup with a combination of soccer fans from around the globe and folks from the Greater Houston area who can all attend on a free general admission.”
Experience of a Lifetime
At a recent press event, Fan Fest organizer Patti Smith, a former Astros and Rockets sideline reporter, said she’s thrilled about the opportunity to “tell the world the story of who Houston is” through food, culture and music. The Fan Fest site is nestled into the EaDo neighborhood and features the backdrop of the Houston skyline.
“This is the primary ancillary event around the World Cup outside of the matches themselves,” Smith said. “We’ve worked really hard to make the Fan Festival very representative of Houston.”
VIP tickets will be sold for about $100 that allow access into an air-conditioned tent with cabana seating and access to a private bathroom. Musicians and performers will take the stage on each day of the festival, which Smith describes as a “World Cup wonderland.” The performers include Bollywood dancers, jugglers, singers from all genres and mariachi bands, she says, and they’ll put on shows between matches.
Within the four-block Fan Fest zone are numerous bars and restaurants, including the soccer-themed establishment, Pitch 25 Beer Park, that Brian Ching opened in 2018 after retiring from his professional soccer career.
Smith says it’s worth the hassle of traffic and crowds to have the experience. “You’re never going to have the opportunity to do this again. This is something we’ll tell our kids and grandkids about. We’re going to put on a great show and make Houston shine for the rest of the world.”
And that’s exactly why Garza will be at the Fan Fest with her 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said.
