Published 15:25 IST, September 16th 2019
'Howdy Modi' to host 50,000 people at NRG stadium; all about the venue
NRG Stadium, host of 'Howdy Modi' event, is the home of the National Football League’s Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Texan Bowl
The NRG Stadium will play host to the ‘Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures’ event held in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22. Located in Houston, Texas, it is a multi-purpose stadium. It is the home turf of the National Football League’s Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Texan Bowl. Many of the United States of Americas’s national soccer team games, as well as Mexican football friendlies, have been played at this venue.
Stellar infrastructure
Opened on August 24, 2002, the stadium was constructed at a price of $352 million. Till 2014, it was known as the ‘Reliant Stadium’. Thereafter, it was renamed ‘NRG Stadium’, after NRG Energy, the parent company of Reliant Energy. It can accommodate 72,220 people at any point in time.
While the total playing surface is 97,000 square feet, the NRG Stadium is the only rodeo and NFL indoor and outdoor retractable roof stadium that can be configured to utilize an area of 1,25,000 square feet. This is specially catered to hosting concerts, exhibitions, and other functions. The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Beyoncé, U2, One Direction, Guns N' Roses, and Taylor Swift have all performed at this venue over the years. Major audio-visual presentations can be easily configured at the stadium, courtesy the design of the roof. It has more than 196 suites along with 5 dressing rooms.
‘Howdy, Modi!’
More than 50,000 people are estimated to attend the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event, which will feature PM Modi’s speech. The White House Press Secretary confirmed that the US President Donald Trump would also be present on the occasion. The Press Secretary stated that this was a great opportunity to emphasize the strong ties between people of US and India. Later, PM Modi thanked President Trump’s “special gesture”. He also said that President Trump joining the event was a recognition of the contribution of the Indian community to American society and economy.
Updated 16:51 IST, September 16th 2019