An evaluation commissioned by Harris County projects maintenance and capital needs over 30 years. The Texans prefer to renovate their current headquarters, although how a large-scale project would be financed has not yet been defined.
HOUSTON, Texas — Reliant Stadium could require approximately $1.4 billion in maintenance and capital improvements over the next 30 years, as Harris County and the Houston Texans continue without a defined funding source for the stadium’s future.
The figure does not represent an immediate bill nor an renovation project already approved. It comes from an assessment of the building’s condition commissioned by the county that projects work over three decades, ranging from routine repairs to replacements of systems nearing the end of their life.
The Texans have expressed their preference to remain at Reliant Park and renovate the current stadium. The possibility of constructing a new stadium within the complex has not been ruled out.
The assessment projects $1.4 billion in work over 30 years
Among the identified needs are floors, corridor ceilings, damaged railings, gutters, signage, and mechanical and technological systems.
Reliant Stadium opened in 2002 and many of its systems were designed with life cycles close to 20 years. Part of the $1.4 billion estimate also contemplates components that might require more than one replacement during the 30-year period.
The assessment did not conclude that the stadium was unsafe. The lead official of the study previously indicated that the structure was roughly on par with facilities of similar age and that no issues were identified that would compromise public safety.
The figure does not necessarily include all improvements the Texans might request as part of a broader renovation, such as changes to suites, fan areas, or other spaces in the stadium.
Related: Rain leaks into the then-NRG Stadium during a Monster Jam event
Harris County is responsible for maintenance under the current agreement
Reliant Stadium belongs to Harris County and is managed by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation. Under the current contract structure, the county assumed much of the responsibility for the stadium’s maintenance.
That structure differs from that of other professional stadiums in the Houston area, where teams have a greater share of maintenance obligations.
The county has already allocated resources to some of the most urgent work. In 2024 about $35 million were allocated for projects that included the roof, the stadium’s sound system and the video displays.
However, those projects represent only a portion of the long-range projected needs.
The financing for a major renovation remains undefined
The main question now is how the cost would be shared among Harris County, the Texans, and other public or private sources if the parties move forward with a large-scale renovation.
Hotels and car rental-related taxes are already part of the system used to pay debt on sports facilities in Houston and Harris County. An additional renovation could require other financing mechanisms, changes authorized by the Texas Legislature, or a greater contribution from the involved parties.
There is currently no publicly approved financing package to cover the $1.4 billion projected by the evaluation.
Texans and Rodeo want to stay in Harris County
The Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have indicated during 2026 that they want to find a long-term solution within Harris County.
The Texans president, Mike Tomon, has said that the team’s priority is to operate the current Reliant Park site. The complex spans about 350 acres near I-610 and hosts both Texans games and RodeoHouston and other major events.
The renovation of Reliant Stadium is currently the publicly favored option by the organization, though the team has not completely ruled out building a new facility within the same complex.
Texans and Rodeo have stated that their current contracts at Reliant Park expire in 2032, keeping negotiations open about who will assume future maintenance obligations and how investments would be financed.
Reliant Stadium regained its original name in August
The stadium officially reverted to the name Reliant Stadium in August 2026 after operating as NRG Stadium since 2014.
Reliant was the original name when the facility opened in 2002. The 2026 change was approved by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation and coincided with the Houston Texans’ 25th anniversary season.
The restoration of the Reliant Stadium name did not change the ownership of the facility: the stadium remains an asset of Harris County.
Related: The future of the Astrodome in Houston
Negotiations about the future of Reliant Stadium continue without a definitive renovation or replacement project or an approved financing mechanism.
