RODEOHOUSTON™, a division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, is a co-tenant in the 1.9 million-square-foot Reliant Stadium – the largest and most expensive rodeo and football facility ever built. As a partner in the stadium, rodeo-specific features and some special Western accents are apparent.

Located immediately adjacent to the Reliant Astrodome along Kirby Drive, Reliant Stadium opened in the fall of 2002 for football and early 2003 for rodeo.

Architectural Elements and Amenities

From the very beginning, the stadium's design focused on offering superior amenities to spectators. The stadium's standard capacity is fixed at 69,500 seats, although provisions were made to accommodate larger crowds for the 2004 Super Bowl and RODEOHOUSTON™ often entertains larger crowds. Every effort has been made to pull the spectators down and forward to the action. Compared to the Reliant Astrodome, for example, the suites are almost 70 feet closer to the action at the sidelines.

The concourses are up to 65 feet wide in some areas of the main concourse, which boasts one concession stand for every 125 people. The main and club concourses have open views to the seating areas -- allowing the action of the Rodeo to permeate the concourse areas. Exterior terraces at each concourse provide the opportunity for spectators to enjoy the outdoors between events.

The sides and ends of the building have been opened up with large areas of glazing. As opposed to the dark and artificially lit concourses of most indoor facilities, these concourses feel more like an open-air stadium. The transparent skin allows for heating and cooling to regulate temperatures year round. At night, the building glows from within, and the circulation and excitement of the people inside are visible from the outside.

Retractable Roof

One of most notable aspects of the design is the operable fabric roof. While the NFL prefers to play in open-air stadiums, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has strict requirements to hold its events indoors under more controlled environments, and the Rodeo hangs massive speakers and video screens from the roof to enhance its rodeo and concert events. As a result of these opposing ideals, the need for a retractable roof was apparent from the start. The NFL could also take advantage of the roof during the hot pre-season and early season home games by offering a fully air-conditioned stadium for the spectators.

After studying multiple roof schemes, a uniquely simple solution was pursued for cost and maintenance reasons. The operable roof consists of two large panels that bi-part at the 50-yard line. Each panel slides on a track and rests over each end on two massive supertrusses that span the length of the field. It takes approximately 10 minutes to open or close the roof.

In order to keep the weight down and decrease the overall cost, the decision was made to skin the upper roof with fabric. The fabric roof provides a structurally light solution that keeps steel tonnages to a minimum. The translucency also provides the ambient sunlight to help maintain the natural grass playing field for football.

• Building square footage - 1.9 million square feet.
• Unique glass-paneled exterior.
• Will seat 70,000-plus for Rodeo performances.
• Supertrusses to support the retractable roof transport system are 84 feet tall and 12 feet wide and weigh 3,750 tons (equivalent to the weight of more than 1,000 vehicles).
• Each supertruss has structural steel equivalent to a 20-story building.
• Pedestrian ramps in each corner with reversible escalators in each ramp system full height of building.

Rodeo Setup and Presentation:

• The stadium’s palletized grass playing field is completely removed for RODEOHOUSTON and replaced with a clay base and dirt floor.
• Rodeo stock – bulls, broncs, steers and roping calves– are housed in the north end of the stadium under the lower bowl. During performances, roping and wrestling stock are penned on the south end of the arena.
• All loading and unloading dock space is located on the north end of the stadium. During RODEOHOUSTON, rolling doors separate the dock into two receiving areas to isolate the food and concession deliveries from the rodeo equipment and livestock deliveries.
• Roughstock chutes are located on the north end of the arena, and timed events, with the exception of barrel racing, begin on the south end.
• The translucent, retractable roof remains closed during RODEOHOUSTON performances due to the eight video screens and the sophisticated speaker system—180,000 pounds of equipment—suspended from the Reliant Stadium roof.
• Two video boards at the end zones and additional LED screens on concourses add to the visual presentation.

Rodeo Concerts:

• The Show’s familiar rotating stage is stored at the south end of the arena during the rodeo events and travels to its traditional center location for the concerts.
• The RODEOHOUSTON logo is tiled into the walls in the south-end dressing rooms. These same areas are utilized by visiting NFL teams.

Rodeo Merchandise:

• Rodeo fans are able to purchase RODEOHOUSTON and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo merchandise year-round at the Go Texan Store at Reliant Stadium. The store also is the year-round retail outlet for Houston Texans merchandise.
• Smaller Go Texan Express stores and kiosks are located throughout the stadium.

Rodeo Seating – action seats, club level and suites:

• Concourses in the stadium are up to 65 feet wide, with the field and club concourses having open views of the rodeo action. RODEOHOUSTON’s popularity and frequent sales of standing-room-only tickets necessitated the open views, and it has since been the model for other NFL stadiums.
• On the concourses, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo logo – the familiar "Bowlegged H" – is embedded in blocks in the walls and alternates with the Houston Texans logo.
• Spectators find that access to seating is labeled as "chutes" instead of "aisles." The recurring Western theme includes brands painted on walls and concessions with names like “Fannin Icehouse” and “Mission Grill.”
• Action seats, located between the field seats and the arena, take fans closer to the thrills and spills, and cowboys and cowgirls. They are the closest seats ever available. Just watch the dirt fly!
• Leather panels in each upper and lower suite commemorate RODEOHOUSTON, Houston Texans and Reliant Park. If the door handle to each suite looks familiar, each one is shaped like a bull’s horn. Also in each suite, the RODEOHOUSTON and Houston Texans logos are laser cut into the back of each bar chair.
• RODEOHOUSTON logos are prominent throughout the seating area, too, with the end cap on every other row embossed with the RODEOHOUSTON logo.
• The rodeo and football influence is carried out in four themed bars on the Club Level –
• Star Bar
• Located on northwest side.
• Silver star on the back of each bar chair.
• Tables covered with names of Texas-born stars of rodeo, entertainment, sports, etc.
• Horseshoe Bar
• Located on southwest side.
• Silver horseshoe on each bar chair.
• Tables covered with maps of Texas trail rides and rivers.
• Football Bar
• Located on northeast side.
• Tables covered with star football players from Texas.
• Spur Bar
• Located on southeast side.
• Tables covered with official icons of Texas, such as state flower, state bird, etc.
• The floor covering on the Club level also reflects. Texas heritage with carpet with the state of Texas, and carpet with broncs and footballs.

Rodeo Contestants:

• Rodeo secretary offices and contestant dressing rooms are located in the northwest quadrant on the service level.
• Contestant dressing rooms, with separate accommodations for cowboys and cowgirls, provide comfortable areas for contestants to prepare for competition and to utilize separate hydrotherapy areas.
• Uniquely Rodeo, the dressing rooms are adorned with RODEOHOUSTON tiles and a red, white and blue theme.
• Across the hall from the dressing rooms, rodeo contestants’ families are able to watch, wait and cheer in a special family room.

RODEOHOUSTON Display Case
Did you know that some entertainers' stage outfits fasten with Velcro® for quick costume changes? Have you ever seen a real championship saddle up close? Find everything from Clay Walker's jeans to Fred Whitfield's spurs in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ display case in Reliant Stadium. It is located adjacent to the Go Texan Store in the south lobby of Reliant Stadium year round.