Host City: Now nearly a year since you took up the position of CEO of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation, what can you report as your key achievements since the start of the year?

Martye Kendrick: As CEO of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation, my priority has been to strengthen NRG Park’s reputation as a world-class destination for sports, entertainment, and major events. Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress toward that goal.

• Operational Excellence: We introduced process improvements across our venues to enhance efficiency and elevate the guest experience.
• Major Event Acquisition: Secured commitments for marquee sporting and entertainment events that will deliver substantial economic impact and global visibility for Harris County.
• Community Engagement: Expanded partnerships with local organizations to ensure our events foster inclusivity and reflect the diversity of our community.
• Sustainability & Innovation: Advanced green initiatives within our facilities and implemented technology upgrades to improve fan engagement and operational performance.
• Economic Impact: Strengthened collaboration with stakeholders to maximize the economic benefits of our venues, supporting local businesses and job creation.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to building on this momentum and positioning Harris County as a leader in hosting world-class experiences that benefit our residents and visitors alike.

HC: With NRG Park hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches next summer, how does your team look to set itself separate from other host cities?

MK: Hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches at NRG Park is an extraordinary opportunity, and our goal is to create an experience that truly sets NRG Park and the Houston community apart from other host cities.

We’re focused on three key differentiators:

Unmatched Fan Experience: We are leveraging NRG Park’s unique versatility and scale to deliver an immersive, world-class environment for fans. From cutting-edge technology to a state-of-the-art new scoreboard to enhanced amenities, every detail is designed to make the experience unforgettable.

Community-Centered Approach: Houston’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. We’re working closely with local organizations to ensure the World Cup reflects the cultural richness of our region, creating inclusive celebrations that engage residents and visitors alike. We plan to host special tour of NRG Stadium to showcase how we have prepared to host the FIFA World Cup games.

Legacy Beyond the Matches: Our vision extends beyond the tournament. We’re investing in initiatives that leave a lasting impact—strengthening infrastructure, promoting sustainability, and creating economic opportunities that benefit Harris County long after the final whistle.

By combining innovation, inclusivity, and long-term impact, we aim to showcase not just world-class soccer, but the very best of Houston.

HC: What are the advantages of having this hub within NRG Park?

Having the FIFA World Cup hub within NRG Park offers unparalleled advantages that few host cities can match. NRG Park is a fully integrated campus with multiple venues, expansive outdoor spaces, and world-class infrastructure—all within a single footprint. This creates several key benefits:

• Centralized Operations: Housing all major activities in one location streamlines logistics, security, and transportation, ensuring a safe and efficient experience for fans, teams, and partners.
• Enhanced Fan Experience: The campus allows us to create immersive fan zones, cultural activations, and hospitality areas without the need for extensive travel between sites, making the event more accessible and enjoyable.
• Flexibility & Scale: With multiple facilities—including NRG Stadium, NRG Center, and NRG Arena—we can host a wide range of events, from match-day experiences to community celebrations, all in close proximity.
• Legacy Impact: Concentrating activities at NRG Park enables us to invest in infrastructure improvements that will benefit the region long after the tournament ends. We recently hosted an unveiling of a special mural that celebrates the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Texans and a soccer player, which is a nod towards NRG Stadiums capacity to host world-class soccer games.

This integrated approach positions Houston as a city that delivers not only world-class matches but a seamless, unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

HC: What are your plans to utilise other spaces outside of the NRG Stadium?

MK: NRG Park offers a unique advantage as a multi-venue campus, and our plans go well beyond the stadium itself. We are working with the FIFA organization and our park tenants to leverage every space to create a comprehensive World Cup experience:

• Fan Zones & Cultural Activations: The surrounding facilities, including NRG Center and NRG Arena, will host fan festivals, cultural showcases, and interactive experiences that celebrate the global spirit of the tournament and Houston’s diversity.
• Hospitality: We are working with FIFA to deliver a variety of premium hospitality areas across the campus to accommodate sponsors, partners, and international guests, ensuring world-class service and engagement opportunities.
• Community Engagement Spaces: Outdoor areas will be transformed into vibrant gathering spots for watch parties, local food vendors, and entertainment, making the World Cup accessible to residents and visitors beyond ticketed matches.
• Operational Efficiency: Utilizing multiple venues allows us to streamline logistics, security, and transportation, ensuring a safe and seamless experience for fans and teams.

Our goal is to turn NRG Park into a dynamic hub that amplifies the excitement of the World Cup and showcases Houston as a city that delivers unforgettable experiences both inside and outside NRG  Stadium.

HC: Have you taken any inspiration or lessons from the Houston Texans playing at the stadium? Whether this be operationally, holistically or otherwise?

MK: The Houston Texans’ presence at NRG Stadium has been an invaluable source of insight for us as we prepare to host the FIFA World Cup. Their operational expertise in managing large-scale events has provided a blueprint for excellence that we’ve adapted to meet the unique demands of a global tournament. From crowd flow and security protocols to transportation logistics, we’ve learned how to create a safe, efficient, and enjoyable environment for hundreds of thousands of fans.

Beyond operations, the Texans have shown us the power of holistic fan engagement—how to transform a game into an experience. We’ve taken inspiration from their ability to build excitement before kick-off and maintain energy throughout the event. This approach informs our plans for immersive fan zones, cultural activations, and hospitality experiences that extend far beyond the stadium walls.

Equally important are the lessons in community connection. The Texans have demonstrated how a team can become a cultural anchor for a city, and we aim to replicate that sense of belonging on a global scale. By celebrating Houston’s diversity and creating inclusive opportunities for residents and visitors, we’re ensuring the World Cup reflects the heart of our community.

In short, the Texans have helped us understand that success isn’t just about flawless execution—it’s about creating moments that resonate. That philosophy will guide every aspect of our World Cup strategy, from operational planning to fan engagement, as we deliver an event that showcases Houston at its very best.

HC: What initiatives are you planning to run to engage with local and international communities?

MK: Engaging both local and international communities is central to our vision for the FIFA World Cup at NRG Park. We see this as more than a series of matches—it’s an opportunity to unite cultures and create lasting connections. Our initiatives focus on three key areas:

• Celebrating Houston’s Diversity: Houston is one of the most culturally rich cities in the world, and we plan to showcase that through vibrant fan zones, cultural festivals, and culinary experiences that reflect the global nature of the tournament and the local character of our community.
• Community Access & Inclusion: We’re partnering with local schools, nonprofits, and local organizations to provide educational stadium tours about how we have prepared and upgraded our facilities to host FIFA World Cup games.
• Global Hospitality & Cultural Exchange: From multilingual support from our local governmental partners like METRO and the FIFA Houston Host Committee we are partnering to support a range of curated cultural experiences that will be hosted within NRG Park and downtown Houston. Our goal is to make every guest feel at home while celebrating the global spirit of soccer within NRG Park.

These initiatives are designed not only to enhance the fan experience but to leave a legacy of connection, inclusivity, and pride that extends far beyond the tournament.