top of page
All posts
More Than One Million Participants Highlight Houston’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Success Story
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee today released final attendance, transportation, public safety and operational data following the conclusion of Houston's role as an official Host City for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, highlighting activity across all official FIFA World Cup™ events and confirming that more than one million participants attended FIFA World Cup-related activities throughout the tournament. Final Tournament Metrics 1,086,499 participants attended FIF
Sports Authority Foundation
Jul 226 min read
Chevron and Impact Houston 26 Unite to Bring Resilient Soccer Field and Park Revitalization to Mason Park
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Chevron and Impact Houston 26, the legacy initiative launched by the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee with the Sports Authority Foundation, today unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony a renovated, resilient soccer field at Mason Park as part of a broader series of upgrades and beautification efforts transforming the space. Inspired by Impact Houston 26’s new Sustainable Soccer Fields Toolkit, the reimagined Mason Park pitch demonstrates how communi
Sports Authority Foundation
Jun 44 min read
BILLY WAGNER ANNOUNCED AS 2026 HOUSTON SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Astros Legend and Hall of Fame Closer to Be Honored in 2026 Class HOUSTON, TX — The Sports Authority Foundation is proud to announce that Houston Astros legend Billy Wagner has been selected as the final member of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining fellow inductees Brian Ching and JJ Watt. Wagner represents the final stop on the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Announcement Tour, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. Known for his electric fast
Sports Authority Foundation
Apr 283 min read
Democratic Republic of Congo to Hold Base Camp in Houston for FIFA World Cup 2026™
The Democratic Republic of Congo delegation visits Houston ahead of selecting the city as their Team Base Camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee proudly announces that Houston will serve as the official base camp location for the Democratic Republic of Congo during the global soccer tournament, further solidifying the city’s role as a premier destination for world-class soccer. Houston will serve as one of 48 sites across North Ameri
Sports Authority Foundation
Apr 152 min read
Impact Houston 26 Unites Dozens of Organizations to Advance Green Corridor for a Greener Future
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee is proud to advance the Green Corridor, an initiative to highlight resilience and sustainable transit across the 14-mile loop connecting FIFA World Cup 2026™ venues. The Green Corridor concept, which originated in 2024 with the Sustainability Subcommittee led by Elizabeth Carlson, unifies under one name the connected network of public transit routes, hike-and-bike trails and public spaces that link key areas in Houston and FIFA
Sports Authority Foundation
Mar 174 min read
BRIAN CHING ANNOUNCED AS 2026 HOUSTON SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Dynamo Legend Named First MLS Player Inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame HOUSTON, TX — The Sports Authority Foundation is proud to announce that Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching has been selected as a member of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining fellow inductee JJ Watt. Ching represents the second of three stops on the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Announcement Tour, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. An original member of the
Sports Authority Foundation
Mar 114 min read
Houston's Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Sonic ID celebrates diversity and creativity
Houston producer Bombón lends talents to H-Town mix Producers from FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities come together for a first-of-its-kind initiative Host City Sonic ID project blends global appeal with local flavor through music and sound Sixteen city soundscapes to be released starting on Saturday, 1 March Music has become an integral part of the FIFA World Cup™, and for the 2026 edition, it will reach an entirely new level. For the biggest football tournament in history, feat
Sports Authority Foundation
Mar 62 min read
Men in Blazers to broadcast live from Houston, with special guest J.J. Watt
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee announced it is collaborating with the Men in Blazers Media Network (MiBMN), one of the most influential soccer media brands, as Houston prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™. The collaboration will bring MiBMN’s ’ signature storytelling style, live programming, and fan-first approach to Houston through a series of high-profile activations designed to engage local fans and showcase the city on a global stage. A
Sports Authority Foundation
Mar 52 min read
JUSTIN JAMES “"JJ”" WATT ANNOUNCED AS 2026 HOUSTON SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Texans Legend and Three-Time Defensive Player of the Year Headlines Class of 2026 HOUSTON, TX — The Sports Authority Foundation is proud to announce that Houston Texans legend Justin James “JJ” Watt has been selected as the first member of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Watt will be the first of three honorees revealed during the 2026 Houston Sports Hall of Fame Announcement Tour, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. Drafted 11th overall by the Houston Tex
Sports Authority Foundation
Mar 43 min read
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee Unveils Historic-In-Breadth Grow the Game legacy initiative
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee today unveiled FREEKICKS Soccer, a transformative new initiative launched under the Grow the Game pillar of Impact Houston 26, the Host Committee’s legacy program. FREEKICKS Soccer is an unprecedented, collaborative effort between the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee, the City of Houston and Harris County Precincts 1-4, and the youth soccer community. It reflects the stewardship of Mayor John Whitmire, Commissioners R
Sports Authority Foundation
Feb 273 min read
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee Announces School Sustainability Badge Program as Part of Larger Commitment to Environmental Protection
New initiative will empower K-12 students around the Greater Houston area to participate in Host Committee-aligned sustainability projects and create a lasting environmental impact, with microgrant applications for schools open through February 27 Photo Credit to Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation HOUSTON, TEXAS – The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee, in collaboration with the Sports Authority Foundation, is excited to announce the launch of Impact Houst
Sports Authority Foundation
Feb 24 min read
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee announce Road to the Cup, Presented by Reliant 7v7 Youth Soccer Tournament
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee and announce the Road to the Cup, Presented by Reliant, a 7v7 youth soccer tournament for boys and girls ages U11 through U18/19. The first stage of the competition, including group stage play and knockout rounds, will take place March 6-8. Teams in each age groups will compete to earn a place to play in a championship game at FIFA Fan Festival ™ during the initial weeks of FIFA World Cup 2026™. “The ‘Road to the Cup, Presented
Sports Authority Foundation
Jan 152 min read
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee Launches “New Year, New Hou” Hospitality Sustainability Program
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee is excited to announce the launch of the “New Year, New Hou,” sustainability initiative that is designed to engage local hotels, restaurants and hospitality businesses in environmental action as Houston prepares for FIFA World Cup 2026™. Central to the Host Committee’s mission is utilizing this once-in-a-lifetime event to advance sustainability practices in Houston, both during and beyond the tournament, which will take place Ju
Sports Authority Foundation
Jan 122 min read
Houston Launches Impact Houston 26: A Bold Legacy Initiative Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™
HOUSTON, TX — As Houston prepares to host FIFA World Cup 26™, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation today announced the launch of Impact Houston 26. Impact Houston 26 is a collaboration between the Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation to ensure that this once-in-a-generation event creates a legacy that lasts for decades. Impact Houston 26 will operate under The Sports Authority Foundation, a 501(
Sports Authority Foundation
Nov 12, 20253 min read
FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston Location Officially Announced
This is a conceptual rendering for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent the final project and is subject to change without notice. Today, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee officially unveiled East Downtown (EaDo) as the official spot for FIFA FAN FESTIVAL™ Houston. This milestone announcement highlights Houston’s preparations as the city gets ready to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 26™. East downtown, also known as EaDo, is a vibrant, wal
Sports Authority Foundation
May 15, 20252 min read
bottom of page