When you're visiting Houston this summer, make sure you know the local soccer playbook. Where are the best soccer bars? Where can I play a pickup game? What names do I need to know? We asked our local experts to help create the ultimate soccer fan playbook so you can focus on the action and enjoy H-Town like a local!
Best Place To Watch A Game Live
SHELL Energy Stadium is home to both the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Dash. It's an open-air venue with awesome architecture, great beer & food prices, and it’s close to tons of cool experiences in downtown Houston. There’s not a bad seat in the stadium. No matter where you are, you feel like you're right there on the field.
Best Soccer Bar In Town
A must-visit for any soccer fan is Pitch 25, a bar/restaurant owned by former Dynamo legend Brian Ching. It features an indoor soccer field, axe-throwing, and other fun arcade activities, making it a special place for fans to get together to play, eat, drink, and watch a game!
Best Place To Play Soccer
Without a doubt, it has to be Toros HTX. This unique community-driven soccer hangout spot has several small-sided fields perfect for pickup, and a bar serving coffee, beer, and food, not far from the city center.
Local Soccer Legend
The aforementioned Brian Ching is a perfect example of a local soccer legend in Houston. The Hawaii native spent the early part of his career on the West Coast with Seattle, LA, and San Jose before the Earthquakes relocated to Houston in 2006. He played for the Dynamo from then until 2013, scoring 56 times in 169 appearances and winning MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007. After his retirement, Ching remained close with the organization, helping both the Dynamo and Dash off the field.
H-Town's Can’t-Miss Eats
If you’re in the mood for a classic Texan steak, Taste of Texas Steakhouse has you covered, but make sure you wear proper attire! Houston is also home to authentic Tex-Mex you can't find anywhere else in the world. Pappasito's is a local favorite, and if you go to Lupe Tortilla, make sure to get the fajitas!
Local Tips
"Houston may be the hottest host city, but it's also one of the most diverse. Anyone who travels here will have an excellent time trying cuisine from every corner of the world. Houston's energy and love for soccer are huge. Located between downtown and the museum district, Midtown offers energetic, walkable shopping, dining, and nightlife, with hundreds of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, plus easy access to the Metrorail!"
Local Soccer Post Stores
Visit Soccer Post Spring, Soccer Post Copperfield, Soccer Post Missouri City, and Soccer Post Rice Village to support local soccer in H-Town! Gear up for whatever you need, whether it's a jersey to wear to the stadium or cleats and a ball for pickup, and make sure to get your Houston Host City Tees, coming soon!
