Highest-impact match days
June 14, 17, 20, 23, 29 (noon kickoffs) — avoid NRG area 9 AM–4:30 PM. June 26 (7 PM kickoff) — avoid 4–11 PM. July 4 has triple overlap: World Cup + Houston Astros + Independence Day.
NRG / South Main corridor — match days
Loop 610 South, Kirby Drive, Main Street, and Highway 90 near the stadium will be heavily congested 2 hours before and after each match. Most games kick off at noon — expect slowdowns 9–11 AM and 2–4:30 PM.
METRO expanded service available
METRO runs extra service June 7 – July 11. New "Metro 500" route provides direct service from Bush and Hobby airports to downtown every 30 minutes. Check ridemetro.org/world-cup for schedules.
East Downtown construction closures
Multiple overlapping construction projects in East Downtown are disrupting access. Avoid the East Downtown area when possible through the tournament. FanFest runs 39 days in East Downtown alongside matches.
Saving Lives is Our Goal Giveaway! | Now through June 28, 2026
From April 1 through June 28, 2026, Gulf Coast Blood invites you to enter the Saving Lives Is Our Goal Giveaway for a chance to win two tickets to the July 4 Round of the international soccer tournament in Houston.
*No blood donation is required to enter or win. No purchase is necessary. Tickets are for personal use only and may not be resold or transferred.
One Goal T-shirt | June 1 - 7, 2026
Make saving lives your goal this summer by giving back. Donate with Gulf Coast Blood between June 1–7, 2026, and receive a limited-edition T-shirt as a thank-you for helping patients who rely on blood donations every day.
*While supplies last. Promotional items may be substituted for items of equal value.
Free A1C Screening | Now through July 31, 2026
Donate blood and get a FREE A1c screening! Early detection of elevated A1c levels can be a game-changer in preventing the long-term complications of diabetes.
Donating Blood
At Gulf Coast Blood, our mission is to partner with the community to help save and sustain lives by providing a safe supply of blood, biotherapies, and related services.
Donor Eligibility
Are you eligible to donate blood? Check out our answers to see if you can.
Preparing For Your Donation
We appreciate your interest in giving blood and saving lives! We want to make sure you're well-prepared and know what to expect for your donation.
Find a Location to Donate
We invite you to donate at any of our 19 conveniently located Donor Centers. Explore all donation opportunities on a map using our 'Find a Location' tool.
Donation Types
Learn more about the different types of blood donations and their purposes!
Why Donate Blood
While 1 in 7 hospitalized people will need a blood transfusion in a lifetime, only 1 in 20 eligible blood donors actually donate. Remember, there's no replacement for blood—your donation saves lives.