Houston has again been “selected to host multiple international soccer matches” with Shell Energy Stadium hosting six total matches for the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, according to Chandler France of the HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL. The W Gold Cup is a “new flagship competition” for women’s national teams in North, Central and South America and will be played from Feb. 17, 2024, through March 10, 2024. The men's Gold Cup was also hosted in Houston this summer at Shell Energy Stadium and NRG Stadium. France noted Shell Energy Stadium was the “only venue outside of California selected to host matches for the inaugural tournament.” Other matches will be played at BMO Stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park, and Snapdragon Stadium. Houston has been the host of multiple international soccer matches this year including July’s Real Madrid-Manchester United match, which “attracted 67,801 fans to NRG Stadium.” Shell Energy Stadium also hosted a “sold-out crowd” for El Clásico Regio -- a matchup between Liga MX rivals Club de Futbol Monterrey and Club Tigres -- in October, “attracting 20,230 fans to the venue.” The recent events and the upcoming W Gold Cup “add to Houston’s busy international soccer résumé ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” The city also is “vying to host matches for the 2024 Copa America tournament” and may “may consider” hosting matches for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/28).
