Texans' new home

Houston Texans partner with Harris County for massive new headquarters

Houston, 5th annual JJ Watt Charity Classic, May 2017, J.J. Watt on the field

The Houston Texas will soon have a new home.

Photo courtesy of the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans could soon be moving to northwest Harris County, not for games, but for everything else, including training camp, and taxpayers will be footing some of the bill.

On Thursday, Harris County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Houston Texans and the developer for a new facility that will be built.

The district will be named the "Toro District."

There are no details tied to the agenda item. Neither the Texans nor the commissioners has disclosed the total project's cost.

Judge Lina Hidalgo did tell ABC13 that the project will cost taxpayers $150 million, despite the county's budget deficit of more than $100 million. Hidalgo said that money won't fund the facility itself, but rather the new infrastructure needed for the area, as well as any public buildings that will need to be constructed.

Commissioners stated that some of the funds will come from the special tax district, which collects property taxes in the area for future projects.

The Texans said the project will cover 83 acres and include a 22-acre headquarters and training facility for the team. The Texans claim the district will generate $34 billion in long-term economic impact and create 17,000 jobs across the region.

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Read the full story, with video, on CultureMap's news partner, ABC13.com.

houston texans

auditions open

Houston's World Cup fan festival searching for talented performers

Courtesy photo

Fans have the opportunity to register for tickets to individual World Cup matches.

In just four months, Houston will serve as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event on Earth. That kind of audience is a grand chance for every host city to show off some of its greatest musicians, dancers, and performers. This week, the official FIFA Fan Festival Houston announced a citywide search for talent who will perform across East Downtown during the World Cup from June 14 to July 4.

“The FIFA World Cup is about more than what happens on the pitch — it’s about the cities and communities that bring the tournament to life,” said Chris Canetti, president of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee. “This talent search is an opportunity to put Houston’s creativity and diversity on full display, giving local performers a global platform as fans from around the world gather here for this experience.”

The Fan Festival is an immersive, free experience that will encompass four blocks of EaDo. A full list of attractions and themed days is still to come, but the festival has promised the participation of Space Center Houston and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in addition to the performances from those chosen in the talent search.

Applications are now open at the official FIFA Houston website and will close on March 10. Video submissions are required, and the callback interview process will begin in early April. The final lineup will be announced in May. The selected performers will have a unique opportunity to reach an in-person, international audience.

“The FIFA Fan Festival will be a place where culture, community and celebration come together every day of the tournament” said Patti Smith, Director of Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival. “By centering local performers on our stage, we’re ensuring it will reflect the spirit of Houston and create moments that are truly unforgettable.”

Half a million people are expected to visit Houston during the World Cup, so it's little wonder the host committee is pulling out all the stops. Mindful of Houston's blistering summers, the Fan Festival will include ample shade, misting zones, and other amenities that will help fans and visitors enjoy the festival in EaDo.