Home to MLS side the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League, the 22,039-capacity Shell Energy (formerly the BBVA Compass Stadium) was built as a soccer-specific stadium but has been used for lacrosse, rugby, and concerts.
Architecturally, the stadium features a faceted facade of expanded metal mesh with orange polycarbonate enclosed entrances and spectator facilities that reflects the industrial heritage of the East Downtown location.
The stadium is the result of combined commitments of $35.5 million from the city of Houston and $60 million from the Houston Dynamo. Harris County agreed to pay for half of the land in exchange for the right to jointly own the stadium after its completion date in May 2012.
At $95 million the stadium construction cost makes the Shell Energy Stadium one of the most cost-effective of modern soccer-specific stadiums.
The stadium has hosted several international fixtures, including New Zealand and El Salvador in May 2012. In 2012 Mexico beat Guyana 5-0 in a World Cup qualification match.
The US women’s national team made their debut in the stadium in December 2012 against China, while the US men’s team made their debut there in 2013 against Canada.
The stadium hosted Cuba vs Guadeloupe and Guatemala v Canada in the second round of Group D fixtures in the 2023 Gold Cup, July 1. The second round of Group B fixtures in the 2019 Gold Cup, June 21 were hosted at the Shell Energy stadium featuring El Salvador vs Jamaica and Honduras vs Curacao.
At the 2021 Gold Cup the stadium hosted four group games, as well as a semi-final.
2024 W Gold Cup
Thursday, Feb 2: Group Stage, 3.15 pm Costa Rica v Paraguay & 6.00 pm Canada v TBC.
Sunday, Feb 25: Group Stage, 2.00pm Paraguay v Canada & 5.00 pm TBC v Costa Rica.
Wednesday, Feb 28: Group Stage, 3.00 pm Canada v Costa Rica & 6.00 pm Paraguay v TBC