Score Big with Double Rewards: ConnectSmart is Your Ultimate Soccer Fan Guide

The wait is finally over! The world’s biggest soccer tournament has officially arrived in Houston. From June 11 through July 19, 2026, our city will be buzzing with unmatched energy, thrilling matches, and thousands of fans from across the globe. While the excitement is at an all-time high, the massive influx of visitors means traffic will be heavier than usual. But don't worry—ConnectSmart has you covered as the ultimate soccer fan guide to bypass gridlock, travel sustainably, and rack up incentives along the way!

The Tournament Incentive: Earn Double Rewards! ⚽ 

To celebrate the games, ConnectSmart is awarding double rewards from June 11 to July 19, 2026, for every time you take a green travel mode (carpooling, transit, walking, or cycling) to NRG/Houston Stadium, EaDo, and the area in between the two locations. Your green trips translate directly into premium rewards and gift cards in your Wallet!

Your Soccer Fan Guide 🗺️

We’ve partnered with the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) to support the region's Commute Game Plan. Check out the ConnectSmart Trip Planner to find the soccer ball, bike, bus, and parking icons for game-specific points of interest, and plan your game day in advance. Then download the ConnectSmart app from your app store to plan, navigate, and receive alerts about your upcoming trip and any delays.

1. NRG/Houston Stadium (Match Days)

Reduce vehicles on the road to avoid heavy traffic backups by using transit or carpooling in ConnectSmart to earn double rewards.

• METRORail Red Line: The TMC Transit Center and Fannin South Transit Center are official stops where you can park your car and hop on the rail to Houston Stadium. Ditch the car entirely and ride the light rails straight to the Stadium Park/Astrodome stop, right where the action is. 

• Carpooling: Join the NRG Carpool Group in ConnectSmart and post a trip to team up with fellow fans in the app for a game day ride.

2. EaDo & FanFest (Daily Festivities)

East Downtown (EaDo) is the ultimate fan destination for community viewing parties, entertainment, and interactive experiences during the entire tournament.

• METRORail Green & Purple Lines: For an easy, traffic-free trip to FanFest, park your car at the Downtown Transit Center and take the green or purple line to drop right in the heart of EaDo at the Eado/Stadium stop.

• Carpooling: Join the Downtown Carpool Group in ConnectSmart and post a trip to team up with fellow fans in the app for a fan fest ride. Park in parking lots B, C, or George R. Brown to check out local fan activities.

• Columbia Tap Trail: Perfect for cyclists and pedestrians looking to enjoy a scenic, traffic-free active commute to and from the festival across East Downtown. A bike repair station will be set up along the path in case of a flat.

Seamless Transit Connections Across the Region 🚌

Traveling to the games from anywhere in the Greater Houston area? ConnectSmart shows you bus and light rail routes, plus special shuttle services, so you don't have to figure it out or drive by yourself. ConnectSmart highlights and maps convenient transit options available from major suburban locations.

• The Woodlands Express: For same-day game ticket-holders only, this shuttle picks up fans on weekdays at The Woodlands Resort, Embassy Suites at Hughes Landing, and the Sawdust Park & Ride for a ride to NRG/Houston Stadium. You’ll need to show your ticket to book a reservation, which costs $8.50 plus processing fees. Free Fare Match Days include June 17th, June 23rd, June 26th, and June 29th, 2026. Each location provides riders with a colored wristband specific to that location.

• Conroe Connection: For same-day game ticket-holders only, this shuttle picks up fans at the Conroe Park & Ride at 10 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:00 PM every Saturday for a ride to Fan Fest, and at 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 8:00 PM for rides back for $16.

• Fort Bend County Transit: This shuttle picks up from the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, the University of Houston Sugar Land, and the AMC Theater First Colony, all throughout the day, for rides to the Texas Medical Center and Downtown areas.

New and Improved Sidewalks and Bike Trails in EaDo 🚶🚴 

Houston has leveled up its East Downtown infrastructure just in time for the tournament, making it easier for everyone by improving sidewalks and bike trails to ensure a safer, more comfortable experience for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Ready to Change the Way You Move?

Open your ConnectSmart app today to plan your route, check real-time transit schedules, join a fan carpool, or track your telework. Start racking up double rewards for your sustainable trips to NRG Stadium and EaDo!