NRG Arena

Opened in 1974 as the Astroarena, NRG Arena in Houston has witnessed a vibrant tapestry of events. Initially standing alongside the Astrohall, NRG Arena became a solitary structure when the Astrohall was demolished in 2002 to create parking space for the rising NRG Stadium. The arena’s name changed twice, mirroring shifts in corporate sponsorship. First, in 2000, it became Reliant Arena. Then, in 2014, it adopted its current name, NRG Arena, reflecting Reliant Energy’s merger with NRG Energy. This 350,000-square-foot venue boasts a main arena that can hold up to 8,500 people, plus four exhibit halls. The largest, Exhibit Hall D, offers a whopping 100,000 square feet of space. Exhibit Hall A provides 75,000 square feet, while Exhibit Halls B and C each have 50,000 square feet. Upstairs, you’ll find smaller meeting rooms, office spaces, and the Stockman’s Club. NRG Arena has hosted a wide range of events. From the National Catholic Youth Conference to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the arena has seen it all. It has even served as a temporary shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Sports fans may remember the arena as the home of the Houston Comets for their final season in 2008, or as the venue for the 2007 Vans Warped Tour’s first indoor stop. In the world of entertainment, NRG Arena has welcomed artists like Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls, and even hosted Sesame Street Live.