HOUSTON (June 11, 2026) – Houston Dynamo Football Club today welcomed 12,226 fans to Shell Energy Stadium on the opening day of **Soccer Celebration**, presented by Kroger, as Mexican fans were delighted by a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the first match of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
In partnership with the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol, the annual MexTour and the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the festivities also featured an exciting meet-and-greet with Mexican legend Francisco "Maza" Rodriguez and a photo opportunity with the Gold Cup trophy.
The venue will be open again tomorrow, as the United States open their World Cup campaign versus Paraguay. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. CT, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT. Fans can claim their free tickets HERE.
Fans can also enjoy **The Dash House Launch Week**, starting with a Kickoff Party from 5:00-8:00 p.m. CT on Thursday night, which fans can RSVP for HERE. Friday (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) will feature music from Athenz and DJ Michelle, respectively. Throughout Launch Week, the first 100 guests each day will receive a free, customizable Dash House tee shirt, thanks to Soccer Post.
Houston Dynamo Soccer Celebration, presented by Kroger, is designed as an accessible, cannot-miss destination that complements the massive festival scale of the nearby FIFA Fan Festival. The tournament-long activation inside Shell Energy Stadium transforms East Downtown into a unique, localized tournament headquarters.
