As the Texans prepare for the start of the regular season, ownership prepares to find several specific panels one can’t purchase at Lowes or Home Depot.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a small section of NRG Stadium’s retractable roof was torn apart by the 80 mph winds. The impact of the Category 1 storm led to questions on whether the team would have to shift its schedule.
According to owner and CEO Cal McNair, the roof should be able to open or close over the next month while the parts come in, meaning that all should be right on schedule for the home opener against the Bears on Sept. 15.
How hot are the #Texans? For the first time since 2019, they have sold out their season tickets for 2024.
Chair and CEO Cal McNair: "We want all of our fans to get here early and be loud each week we take the field at NRG Stadium."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2024
“The studies are showing that we’ll be able to keep the roof closed or open,” McNair said Tuesday. “So, we’ll have the choice to do that. And then we have a couple of events coming up, or we’ll get to study and see, how the building is able to condition.”
Hurricane Beryl’s rage isn’t the first time NRG Stadium’s roof has been impacted by severe weather since opening in 2002. In 2008, Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm, tore off five roof panels, forcing Houston to reschedule its matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals to October.
Even with the minor damage, McNair said they’ll be able to test out the functions of the roof with several upcoming events at the arena before Houston plays its first home preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 17.
The Texans should have a consensus on how the damage could affect the setting by the time they face off against the Rams on Aug. 24.
“The studies on that are ongoing, and we’ll know more as we kind of work through it,” McNair said.