Retractable Membrane Roof Replacement at NRG Stadium, Venue for 2026 FIFA World Cup

NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium), scheduled to be used as a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. *Photo shows the stadium before renovation.

Taiyokogyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo and Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yuki Nomura), which handles large membrane structures (tent structures) and civil engineering/logistics materials, has replaced the retractable membrane roof at NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) in Houston, Texas, USA, in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, through its U.S. subsidiary Birdair, Inc. (Headquarters: Buffalo, New York, USA). The roof panel replacement was completed before the opening of the tournament, and cable work and some steel frame work will continue toward the latter half of 2026.

NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) was a facility that attracted attention as the world's first NFL stadium with a retractable roof when it was completed in 2002. Birdair was responsible for the original membrane roof installation, and this time, more than 20 years after completion, it replaced the roof with highly durable PTFE glass fiber membrane*.

The stadium is scheduled to be used as a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supporting the stage for visitors from around the world from the perspective of spatial technology.

Membrane structure architecture enables large-span spaces by leveraging the lightness of materials, and also features the ability to softly bring in natural light through high translucency, creating comfortable and open spaces. It is also excellent in constructability and durability, and has been adopted for large-scale buildings such as stadiums, airports, and exhibition facilities around the world. The Taiyokogyo Group utilizes its membrane structure technology cultivated over many years to create spaces that balance functionality and design.

In addition to NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium), four stadiums where the Taiyokogyo Group has handled membrane roof construction are scheduled to be used for the event: AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium) in Arlington, Texas; Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) in Atlanta, Georgia; and MetLife Stadium (New York-New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

*PTFE glass fiber membrane: A membrane material made by coating glass fiber with fluoropolymer (PTFE). Lightweight, excellent durability and stain resistance, used for large-scale buildings. A strong composite material made of glass fiber fabric coated with fluoropolymer, also adopted for La Verne University (constructed in 1973, California, USA), the world's first permanent membrane structure.

[Reference] Press release dated May 27, 2025

Awarded contract for membrane roof renovation at NRG Stadium in the U.S., venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

https://www.taiyokogyo.co.jp/news/67617/

Overview of NRG Stadium

Name: NRG Stadium (formerly Reliant Stadium)
Location: NRG Park, Houston, Texas
Owner: Harris County
Architect: HOK SPORT
Structural Engineer: Walter P. Moore
Capacity: 72,220 (max approx. 80,000)
Completion: 2002
Renovation: 2025
Roof material: PTFE membrane
Retractable roof time: approx. 10 minutes
Roof dimensions: approx. 152 m long x 117 m wide

Stadiums handled by the Taiyokogyo Group to be used for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium)
AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)
MetLife Stadium (New York-New Jersey Stadium)

・NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) *Photo before renovation
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Capacity: 72,000
Completion: 2002 (renovated 2025)
Material: PTFE glass fiber membrane
Area: 27,000 sqm

・AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)
Location: Arlington, Texas, USA
Capacity: 94,000
Completion: 2009
Material: PTFE glass fiber membrane
Area: 13,750 sqm

・Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Capacity: 75,000
Completion: 2017
Material: ETFE film
Area: 27,000 sqm

・MetLife Stadium (New York-New Jersey Stadium)
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
Capacity: 82,500
Completion: 2010
Material: PTFE glass fiber membrane
Area: 1,600 sqm

About Birdair, Inc.

Taiyokogyo's U.S. subsidiary (100% owned)
・Founded: 1956
・President: Hikaru Konno
・Location: Buffalo, New York, USA

About Taiyokogyo Co., Ltd.

Taiyokogyo is a leading company in large membrane structures with over 100 years of history. At Expo '70 in Osaka, it realized the world's first low-rise air membrane structure that supports the roof only by air pressure at the U.S. Pavilion. Since then, it has participated in large-scale projects around the world, including the installation of the membrane roof at Tokyo Dome and the Millennium Dome (now The O2 Arena) in London, one of the world's largest dome facilities. Furthermore, for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, it was involved in over 20 pavilions and facilities, supporting the creation of the expo venue. With membrane structure technology excelling in economy, constructability, translucency, and design as its core, it expands its business into architecture, civil engineering, logistics, and environmental fields, supporting the safety and security of society.

Together with group companies such as TSP Taiyo Co., Ltd. (event consulting) and Actio Co., Ltd. (facility management), under the slogan "Soften the world. Warm the future." it provides new value to society.