Total Pro Sports
Could the Houston Texans be packing up and leaving NRG Stadium? Maybe not out of Houston, but possibly into a brand-new home. It’s been just 23 years since NRG opened, and now there’s talk that the team might need a fresh start. The issue? The stadium needs billions in repairs, and the Texans are weighing their options.
Do they spend a fortune fixing it up, or does it make more sense to build something new? Let’s break it down.
NRG Stadium, which opened in 2002, was a groundbreaking venue as the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof. It has hosted two Super Bowls, the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, and will host FIFA World Cup games in 2026. However, the stadium faces significant maintenance issues, with an assessment estimating $2 billion in necessary repairs.
A major concern is the stadium’s retractable roof, which was damaged by Hurricane Beryl in 2023 and is estimated to cost $116 million to repair. Additionally, the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) has deferred maintenance payments that have now reached $500 million. With these rising costs, ownership weighs whether a new stadium would be a better investment than costly upgrades.
Exclusive: The Houston Texans are faced with two choices for their future.
Make significant renovations to NRG. Or seek public money build a new stadium entirely.
One will happen.
Co-byline ✍🏽with @dylmcguinness https://t.co/YTmFWqLbSp
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) February 19, 2025
The Texans are currently negotiating a new lease agreement for NRG Stadium. However, a recent assessment deemed the stadium to be in “average or below average condition compared to its peers.” Keeping the stadium up to date would require $1.4 billion over the next 30 years.
Although the team is worth an estimated $6.1 billion, the Texans have an advantageous lease structure. They pay around $4 million per year in rent to the county, but tax rebates often return that money to them. In seven of the last eight years, the Texans made more in rebates than they paid in rent, meaning the government essentially subsidized their use of NRG Stadium.
Also Read: Will NFL Introduce New Kickoff Rules In 2025? Major Changes To Onside Kicks Possible
A key issue in this debate is funding. The Houston Texans do not own NRG Stadium but rent it from Harris County. Any significant renovations would likely require taxpayer support. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority is still paying off $1 billion in bonds from the construction of NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park, and the Toyota Center, with payments continuing until 2056.
That financial burden raises concerns about whether the county could afford to fund a new stadium. If taxpayers refuse to approve additional funding- similar to what happened in Kansas City when residents rejected stadium renovations for the Chiefs-...
