Houston’s first World Cup match had one clear lesson for fans

With Houston’s first FIFA World Cup game in the books, some fans with tickets to see Germany vs. Curaçao said on social media that they were disappointed to be left waiting in long lines to get into Houston Stadium. 

While Houston’s World Cup host committee reported no issues with security at Houston Stadium on Sunday. 

But TikTok user Savannah Cavanaugh recommended fans arrive two to three hours early for future matches. 

“We are absolutely dying out here,” Cavanaugh said in her video, noting the 90-degree heat. 

A Reddit user also reported waiting in the stadium security line for an hour. 

Other fans had a different weather experience — another TikTok video showed lines of people standing in the pouring rain that also temporarily shut down the FIFA Fan Festival in EaDo. 

Houston Metro’s Red Line, which runs directly to the stadium, was operating at capacity on Sunday, with trains every 6 minutes and additional rail cars added, according to news reports on social media.

The Red Line was just as crowded after the game ended.

As tens of thousands of fans continue to trickle out of Houston Stadium, Metro Police Department Chief Ban Tien told the Houston Chronicle he expects more than 20,000 World Cup goers to use public transportation to leave the stadium complex.

A massive crowd has already gathered at the Metro Red Line stop nearest the stadium, and some fans have complained about others cutting in line and long waits despite trains arriving every few minutes.

“We waited in a tented cow line for over 30 minutes and then realized they were just letting people in from outside,” said one fan visiting from Chicago. “What a mess.”

FIFA officials open Houston Stadium’s gates three hours before kickoff to allow fans enough time to enter the venue and get settled. General and hospitality parking will be open to fans one hour before gates open. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow enough time for security screening, ticket scanning and entry before kickoff.

Fans can also help speed up access to their seat by following the guidelines FIFA officials have in place regarding which bags are permitted. All FIFA stadiums follow a clear bag policy. Ticket holders are permitted to bring only clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC. Clear bags allow security to see what’s inside without opening them. Those bags must not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.