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Next summer, the world will focus its attention on the City of Houston when it hosts seven matches as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

All games will be played at Houston’s NRG Stadium, home of the National Football League Texans. NRG Park will also serve as a “campus” of hospitality tents, volunteer centers, media accreditation areas and a space for officials providing them security, safety and medical care.

However, the event is more than just the matches. And although NRG Stadium is located six miles south of the city’s core, the event is triggering a number of improvements and developments that promise to transform Houston’s downtown.

About 500,000 people are expected to visit the city before and during the tournament, resulting in an estimated $1.5 billion spending boost in the area. The downtown core will be the event’s hub for hotels and transportation, with East Downtown hosting the city’s official .

Cities often dig deep into their pockets when hosting major world sporting events like the World Cup to make the visitor experience as pleasant and memorable as possible.

As president and CEO of Houston First Corp Michael Heckman explains these will hopefully motivate visitors to return again.

“It’s not just the dollars spent while they’re here; it’s the opportunity for them to see Houston and our green spaces and the friendliness of our people and for us to be able to wow them so they come back,” he told .

It’s also an opportunity to provide legacy benefits for the future.

One such project is the $12 million initiative to create a permanent seven-block pedestrian district called Main Street Promenade, featuring retail stores, patios, shade and greenery. The street mall concept for this major thoroughfare has been in place since the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the infrastructure supporting it was only temporary.

Now, under the Downtown Houston+ program, eligible area businesses can apply for up to $50,000 of financial assistance to attract foot traffic by expanding their outdoor presence with patios, greenery or façade improvements. Those outside the immediate Main Street Promenade area can apply for up to $25,000 in grants.

Main Street Promenade is just one of several initiatives being spearheaded by Downtown Houston+, a project-specific team within the .��

Other initiatives include the repaving of 86 street blocks, new housing for downtown Houston’s homeless population and new greenery and lighting in other areas of the downtown to make the core more walkable and inviting.

Downtown Houston+ president and CEO Kris Larson explained to that efforts over past decades to beat the Texas heat had driven much of the downtown’s retail traffic into underground walkways and placed parking lots on the surface. Street level pedestrian malls like the Main Street Promenade are an effort to reverse this.

“By illuminating popular pedestrian pathways, this initiative aims to improve navigation, encourage public activity and foster a connected, dynamic experience throughout Downtown,” the organisation’s website .

The grant program plays into an additional $2.5 million investment to revitalize Houston’s downtown by attracting new businesses and people. More than $1.5 million in funding is being made through the Downtown Houston+ , part of which can be used for the preservation and restoration of the city’s historic buildings.

Houston’s World Cup matches are scheduled from mid-June to early July, typically a slow period for tourism. Nevertheless, Downtown Houston+ estimates $100 million in new investments by hotel operators Marriot, Holiday Inn and Hilton, which will increase capacity to over 9,200 hotel rooms.

Houston’s Fan Festival will also trigger redevelopment by taking over 360,000 square feet of warehouses and parking lots near the Shell Energy Stadium in the East Downtown. Giant screens, concession stands, soccer pitches, stages, along with various interactive games and more than 100 parties, are planned over the duration of the entire 39-day FIFA World Cup event.��These are expected to draw 15,000 visitors daily to the East Downtown area, where they can also enjoy neighborhood bars and restaurants.

Fan Fest is only a temporary installation within this poorly developed area.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” says Chris Canetti, the Houston Host City committee president. He longer term enhancements will result from beautification efforts such as planned tree planting and art installations.

Major construction projects currently underway in Houston are not expected to affect the visitor experience. Work on a highway drainage project will pause during the World Cup events. ��������ion on the multibillion-dollar expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center, expected to be completed in May 2028, will continue as planned.