This is actually my first rodeo aka first World Cup.

Previously, I would not consider myself a sports person. I’m usually inept of speaking the language of sports. Hosting this international spectacle is different though, isn’t it? This summer I’ve found myself outside at FIFA Fan Fest, the Shell Stadium for Mexico matches when Fan Fest overflowed, Pitch 25, the busiest I’ve ever seen Kirby Ice House (so far), and watch parties a plenty.

Houston as a host city reminds me of the joy of studying abroad, without the actual ‘studying abroad’ bit, because it’s all in the convenience of our back yard. Cultural exchanges, meeting people, and sharing celebrations feels nothing but exciting, aggressively fun, and sincerely human. I agree with the internet’s sentiment: we’ll never be this young again living in a World Cup host city.

We asked a few friends of OTH on what they thought about the World Cup in Houston.

— Kathrina Maribao

Mariah Najmuddin

I loved seeing so many people from around to world come together and celebrate soccer, especially the Dutch fan walk. Going to a World Cup game was a bucket list item and it did not disappoint. I hated how everything died down after the Round of 16. Houston is too spread out and the public transportation should be expanded for type of event.

VP Wright

I loved seeing all of the beautiful people visiting and experiencing Houston for the first time.

The city was WILDLY unprepared infrastructure wise (lol), but meeting people from all over the world, and hearing stories of their experiences here was worth the thick traffic.

I’m also excited to see how this impacts the culture we have with Soccer as a sport overall in the city as well, especially surrounding the Dynamo and Dash!

Adriana Herrera

The World Cup truly brought so many people together. I can definitely attest to that, I reconnected with high school to college friends over the matches. It was such a wonderful experience that I am truly going to think about for the rest of my life. The fan fest was such an incredible place to be at for all the games and I loved seeing all the interactive stations, just being around the East Downtown area was truly the place to be at!!

Roberto Castillo 

I love that visitors got to experience the incredible food, night life and creative spaces that Houston has to offer.

Reagan Josephine

For me, it’s been exciting seeing other cultures be able to experience our city and realize how incredible our local food and art scene is, and how diverse and vivid the culture of Houston is.

Daniel R. 

Definitely loved being a host city; great atmosphere at the games and watch parties! Just wish we had more games here and more fun events/developments set up by the city - otherwise it was great!

Natali Espitia 

Maybe it’s because I wasn’t impacted by any FIFA related closures or traffic, but I really loved seeing Houston shine as a host city. We’re a city of incredibly diverse and welcoming people, and we definitely put our best foot forward hospitality-wise. Between watch parties at specialty coffee shops to dancing with out of town guests on Main Street and cheering on your favorite team at local bars, I’m going to miss this summer (minus the whack “beautification” initiatives).

Melissa Richardson 

What I loved most was how Houston came together. The energy was incredible, and somewhere along the way, I became a soccer fan. Just when I finally got hooked, it is coming to an end and I don’t want it to stop.

Did you enjoy or hate the World Cup in Houston? Reply to this email and let us know!

LATELY IN HOUSTON

Dream Bigger. Dream Con 2026 hits Houston with 45,000+ cosplayers and dreamers proving Black fandom isn't a niche but a whole universe. Panels, DJ battles, McCrispy fine dining(?!), and infinite joy. Year three just got a lot of pressure to dream bigger. Forward Times

From Menil lawn to meme. The Menil lawn is Houston's zen den: 100-year-old oaks, sculptures, sound baths, and a bocce-ball-shirt Instagram cult that's practically a religion. Vibes are so strong you'll blink and lose four hours. And public restrooms finally coming in 2027? Miracles do happen! Chron

10 years and 14 Emmy nods. Issa Rae's bringing Insecure back to Houston for its 10th anniversary with the cast, memories, and probably a few "we were rooting for you" callbacks. The event is Oct. 10th at Bayou Music Center; tickets dropped today at noon. Houston Chronicle

This week’s drinks are on us! That means 3 readers will receive a $10 gift card to Koffeteria. All you have to do is open this edition. (If you’re reading this you just did, nice!)

Winners will be randomly selected and emailed tomorrow morning.

Want to collab on a future issue and treat readers to coffee on you? Hit reply.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All weekend:

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Hobby Center

• Houston Symphony at Miller Outdoor Theatre

• Undercurrents by Rafael Lozano Hemmer at the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

• Creamed Pop-up at Eden Plant Co.

Thursday, 7/16

5pm-7pm, Art | Vian Sora: Outerworlds’ Exhibition and Abstract Painting Workshop at Asia Society. “Join us for a docent-led tour of Vian Sora: Outerworlds followed by a guided, hands-on, abstract painting workshop inspired by Sora's visual language.” Free, but RSVP.

7pm-8pm, Art | Women in Abstraction, Chryssa and Dorothy Hood Curator Talk at the Menil.

8pm-10pm, Live Music | Terrance Teagle live at MOTH. $23.

Friday, 7/17

6pm, Film | Wes Anderson Homecoming Soiree. “Wes is returning to Houston, where his life and journey in film began, for this one-night-only event benefiting the preservation of the Historic Garden Oaks Theater and the founding of a new Arts & Film Center.” $350 and up

7:30pm, Live Music | Sofar Concert. “Join us for a high-energy Sofar experience featuring expansive live arrangements, unforgettable performances, and one of Houston's most unique venues.” $25.

Saturday, 7/18

9:30am-3:30pm, Art | Pet Portrait Workshop at Art League Houston. “In this workshop, you'll create an 8x10 portrait of your pet, learning how to capture that unique spark that makes your pet truly your own.” $200.

11am-3pm, Art | Playing with Fire: Enameling on Copper Workshop at HCCC. Sold Out but add yourself to waitlist.

12pm-5pm, Community | Summer Jam 2026 Community Day at the Moody Art Center.

1pm-3pm, Workshop | Gardening Workshop: Your Backyard Garden with Bayou City Refill and Central City Co-Op. Sold Out.

1pm, Art | Inside the Groove: Renaissance Album Club at The Raven Tower.

1pm-4pm, Art | Line Drawing and Scaffolding at CAMH. “Explore the structural, conceptual foundation displaying the exhibition Mary Ellen Carroll: How To Talk Dirty and Influence People, by experimenting with line drawing and mark-making to create your own visionary space.”

3pm-5pm, Art | Culture Club by Christopher Cascio Opening Reception at Basket Books and Art.

5pm-10pm, Dining | Half off caviar all day for National Caviar Day at The Marigold Club.

Sunday, 7/19

11am-12:30pm, Workshop | Ikebana Workshop at WAH Coffee in Richmond. “In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn the art of Ikebana, the Japanese practice of floral design. Guided step-by-step, you'll create your own arrangement to take home.” $60.

2pm-4pm, World Cup | World Cup Final Watch Parties at FIFA Fan Festival, Pitch 25, Shell Energy Stadium, Levy Park, River Oaks Theatre and more.

2pm-4pm, Workshop | The Art of Haitian Beadwork at Caribbean Creole Coffee. Sold out but join waitlist.

5pm-7pm, Live Music | LAST Sunday Concert Series: The Pew Band at Discovery Green. Free.

ON THE HOU(S)E Concierge

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