Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Shell Energy Stadium 2200 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77003
Year Opened: 2002
Capacity: 20,039
Houston Dynamo FC – Shell Energy Stadium
In 2006, the owners of the original Major League Soccer (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes were granted the rights to relocate, and they chose the fourth-largest city in the country as their new home. The cosmopolitan Houston, Texas proved to be a perfect fit for the rechristened Houston Dynamo FC. The team experienced immediate success upon their arrival in Space City, winning the MLS cup in 2006 and 2007.
The team was also runners up in the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012, and additional won the U.S. Open Cup in 2018 and 2023. Since 2012 the club has called the now named Shell Energy Stadium its home. The stadium has been the site for numerous international soccer and rugby matches, high school football showdowns, and is the home stadium for the Texas Southern University Tigers football team, as well as the Houston Dash of the NWSL.
Situated at the heart of Houston’s vibrant downtown, Shell Energy Stadium was designed by the same firm that was responsible for the famed Emirates Stadium in London, home of Arsenal FC. The facility was recently renovated in 2023 to replace most of the seats and upgrade the LED boards, and has proven to be a hit with fans. Read on to learn more.
Food & Beverage 4
The food and drink scene at Shell Energy Stadium is pretty stellar. At every stand – which are all located on the main concourse – you can purchase your traditional game day fare such as water, sodas, popcorn, peanuts, candy, etc.
There are also quite a few area restaurants that have stands in the stadium selling their goods, all representing the diverse cultures of H-Town. Fans can sample Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches from Roostar, or tacos and Mexican street corn from Hugo’s Restaurant, Taquerias Arandas, and Elotes Bravos. You can also get pizza from Vinny’s, Thai noodles from Street to Kitchen, and burgers from legendary Trill Burgers.
If you’re looking for an adult beverage to enjoy the match with, Shiner Bock Bar, Legends Bar, and Corona Premier Bar are options for you – you’ll eat and drink well at Shell Energy Stadium.
Atmosphere 3
The atmosphere and game day experience were enhanced thanks to the recent remodel. The seats on the West side of the stadium spell out “HOUSTON” in glorious fashion, and there are also quite a few photo op spaces around the stadium for fans.
There is also a main team store (open even on days when there is no game) located near the main entrance. Inside you can purchase all manner of team merchandise and souvenirs, take photos with all the Dynamo’s championship trophies, and visit a studio where you can don the team’s kit and have a photo taken by professionals.
The facility also has two exclusive clubs, the East Club and the West Club, for specific ticketholders. The clubs have exclusive menus, drinks, and viewing areas.
Neighborhood 5
Houston is an exciting city – there is really no denying it. It’s sprawling and the traffic is awful, it’s miserably hot and humid nine months out of the year, but it is exciting. There is an energy to H-Town that is palpable; it is hard to miss this feeling when you’re downtown and there’s a game going on.
Not only do the Dynamo call the area home, but so do the Astros and the Rockets. If you consider that the Texans are also in town and not too far from downtown, you can imagine the excitement and energy the area has to offer.
If you’re able to stay downtown when attending a game at Shell Energy Stadium, which I highly recommend, if at all possible, you will find an abundance of entertainment, dining, and lodging options to choose from. The only limitation, really, is your budget. A few options near the stadium include Texas Tailgate (which is literally across the street from the venue) and Pitch 25. Both eateries are of the sports bar variety, but offer great atmosphere before and after games; as said both are within walking distance from Shell Energy Stadium.
If you’re looking for things to do, I always like to recommend a few of my personal favorite attractions in H-Town, the Houston Zoo and the Downtown Aquarium. Both are world-class facilities, and both offer hours of opportunities to explore. These would be great options if you’re attending the game with younger fans. Again, though, you have countless options in the Houston area for things to do – whatever you’re into, you’ll find options for it.
Lastly for lodging, this again depends on your budget. There are hotels within walking distance of the Shell Energy Stadium; both Marriott Marquis Houston and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Houston Downtown Convention Center are less than half a mile away.
Fans 3
Houston Dynamo FC currently averages just over 17,000 fans per game at Shell Energy Stadium. While this places them almost at the bottom of attendance averages in MLS, this also means the stadium is near capacity on a nightly basis.
I admittedly attended my most recent game here right after Hurricane Beryl hit Houston; the stadium was fine, but residual weather delayed the game for almost two hours, so the crowd was not as full as it normally would have been.
The fans that did attend were by and large sporting Dynamo orange and purple gear. The team currently has four supporter groups, El Batallón, Texian Army, Bandera Negra and The Surge – these groups chant, set off smoke for goals, and bang drums for the entirety of each Dynamo match. Their passion for the team adds to the energy and atmosphere on game days.
Access 4
As mentioned earlier, Shell Energy Stadium is located in Houston’s downtown, which makes it eminently locatable and surprisingly easy to get to. The facility is only about a 20 to 30-minute drive from both William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The traffic in Houston, though, as I always mention, will get you. If you’re driving you will be sitting in it for a while, and there is really nothing you can to do avoid it unless you take public transportation, which Houston has really figured out. The Houston METRO will drop you off literally right in front of the main entrance to Shell Energy Stadium – you can’t beat it.
If you do choose to drive, parking is plentiful near the stadium. There are two lots across from Shell Energy Stadium that are officially affiliated with the team, but virtually every business in the area will have options to choose from; the cost depends on how close you want to be and/or how much or how little you want to walk.
Return on Investment 3
Single game tickets for Houston Dynamo FC games at Shell Energy Stadium start at $22 per person; this varies depending on the match and opponent. Parking in the lots in front of the stadium starts at $30 per car, and the concessions are a little on the higher side, but the facility does offer fare that is not your traditional ballpark food, so it’s worth the extra money.
The Houston Dynamo rank in the top half of MLS in terms of cost to attend a game, but are still comparably affordable compared to their NFL, NBA, and MLB Space Town counterparts.
Extras 2
There is not much in the way of Extras for fans attending games at Shell Energy Stadium. Honestly, this venue seems pretty comparable to what I’ve experienced at other MLS games – the energy of the crowd and the action on the pitch seem to be the main selling points.
What keeps this from being lower is that the Dynamo and the Dash share a mascot, Diesel. The human-sized red fox is pretty active and is amenable to photos with fans, especially younger ones. I don’t know of many MLS teams that boast a mascot, but it’s always refreshing when a team has one.
Final Thoughts
To be quite frank, soccer isn’t my sport. However, I always try my best to remain objective in these reviews. I think Shell Energy Stadium has a lot to offer and still seems quite fresh, despite it being over a decade old. Plus Houston is a great city to visit – having so much to see and do in and around the facility adds quite a bit to the experience. That said, if you’re a fan of soccer I’d recommend paying the Dynamo a visit.
Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.