A blast from the past is coming back to Houston, Texas for the 2026 Houston Texans season.
Reliant Energy, which previously owned the naming rights to the Texans’ stadium, is going back to taking over as the home of the Texans and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after a 12-year hiatus. The change was approved on Wednesday by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation and will officially debut for the Texans’ 25th season beginning in September.
“Houston is Reliant’s home, and a name Texans know and trust,” Brad Bentley, head of NRG Consumer and Reliant said in a statement. “For more than two decades, Reliant has powered the moments that bring our community together—from the Texans’ first game and hosting two Super Bowls to every unforgettable RODEOHOUSTON performance in between. Fans have told us what this place means to them. For many, it’s always been Reliant Stadium. We heard them loud and clear. Reliant Stadium is back.”
Reliant had bought the naming rights to the franchise’s stadium for a 30-year span in 2002 for $300 million. NRG Energy purchased Reliant’s retail electricity business in 2009 and opted to change the name of the stadium in 2014, thus making the move to NRG Stadium for over a dozen years.
“As a founding partner of the team, Reliant has been a part of our Houston Texans family from the very beginning,” Texans President Mike Tomon said. “Reliant Stadium has been our home since our first game in 2002 and we can’t wait to celebrate 25 seasons of Texans football back where it all began. We are so proud of our longstanding partnership that also extends beyond the field through numerous initiatives, including our Scholarships for Champions Program, which has recognized and awarded scholarships to deserving student-athletes across the greater Houston area over the last two decades.”
Since the city of Houston is hosting the FIFA World Cup later this summer, all branding had to be taken off the stadium. Once the series ends in the Round of 16 on July 4, Houston can officially go back to a corporate name, giving the title of Reliant Stadium back in time for the start of training camp.
“NRG Park has long stood as one of the most versatile and active sports and entertainment campuses in the country, serving as a cornerstone for both community engagement and world-class events in Houston and Harris County,” Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation Executive Director and CEO Martye Kendrick said. “This is more than a venue—it is a place where moments are created, shared and remembered across generations. The return of the Reliant name reflects a deep and enduring connection to this community and all those who have made this place part of their story.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans bring back Reliant Stadium for 2026 season and beyond
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
