From the debut of several new hotels to the opening of a massive new Islamic cultural center, 2025 brought multiple new experiences to Houston—many that benefit our dynamic hospitality landscape. And despite some headwinds experienced by U.S. destinations, millions of visitors flocked to Houston over the past year for major events, conventions, and simply to experience the city’s unique flavours and vibe. 2026 looks to be an even bigger year with global events and several new openings on the horizon. Here’s a look at some of what Houston is tracking for the year ahead!

International Gateway

The international arrival and departure experience through George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is expected to get a lot easier come early 2026. In February, the final phase of the airport’s new International Central Processor (ICP) was completed, following the first phase that was completed in February 2025. The ICP replaces both the old Terminal E Ticketing Lobby and the current Terminal D Ticketing Lobby, creating one seamless and functional experience for international passengers coming into and departing Houston. The opening of ICP marks the completion of IAH’s new International Terminal. Elsewhere at the airport, United’s $2.5 billion Terminal B Transformation project is expected to be complete before the end of 2026. The new terminal will span 765,000 square feet with 22 dedicated gates.

Historic Accommodations

A major expansion of the JW Marriott Houston Downtown is slated for completion in early 2026, adding guest rooms, event space and a lounge and restaurant to the luxury property. The hotel that originally opened in 2014 in a historic building at the corner of Main and Rusk streets downtown has more recently purchased the adjacent Battelstein’s Building. The former department store is now being transformed into a modern hospitality oasis, complete with a rooftop pool and restaurant dubbed The Perch, a luxury ground-floor lounge and an additional 10,000 square feet of event space. Together with the original structure, the new hotel will boast an impressive 384 guest rooms.

City of Competition

2026 will go down in history as the year of sports in Houston. In a city that has hosted multiple major sporting events over the years, from Super Bowls to NCAA Final Four games, never before has the metro held multiple events stacked in the timeframe of just a few months—and certainly never has Houston hosted FIFA World Cup games. It all started in March, baseball fans from around the globe descended on the city for the World Baseball Classic. The Houston Astros hosted a total of eight games of the Classic at Daikin Park, featuring teams including USA, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain and Italy. And of course, the first FIFA World Cup match will be held in Houston on June 14, pitting Germany against Curacao. The city will host a total of seven matches, including five in the group stage and one each in the Round of 32 and Round of 16. The soccer powerhouse of Portugal will play in Houston twice in the group stage. Organizers expect hundreds of thousands to flock to Houston for the World Cup games.
 

Artistic Legacy

In recent years, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston has brought a consistent stream of treasured art and artifacts from across time and around the world to its halls. A new blockbuster exhibit debuting in January focuses not so much on the art of the legendary Frida Kahlo but on what made the artist who she was and how she influenced other creators in turn. “Frida: The Making of an Icon attempts to separate Frida Kahlo the artist from Frida Kahlo the phenomenon,” says Mari Carmen Ramírez, Wortham Curator of Latin American Art at the MFAH and founding director of the Museum’s International Center for the Arts of the Americas. “The exhibition reveals how the different facets of Kahlo’s complex persona, which she so carefully crafted and projected, were adapted again and again over her decades-long transformation into an icon.” The exhibit includes a selection of Kahlo’s masterworks as well as memorabilia and documents from her archives. Perhaps even more intriguing, the exhibit features works from other artists across generations who were inspired by Kahlo.

Unique Culinary Experience

Consistently recognized as a top food city across the United States, Houston’s bold flavours reflect its melting pot of cultures spanning over 80 countries represented in the Houston metro. Home to renowned chefs and restaurants, there is a culinary experience for every palate! From unique fusions like Viet-Cajun to mouthwatering Tex-Mex and BBQ, Houston remains a global food phenomenon.

The first MICHELIN Guide Texas selection was revealed in Houston in November 2024. Over the previous two years, Houston has earned a total of 39 Michelin designations, with six Houston restaurants, BCN Taste & Tradition, Corkscrew BBQ, Le Jardinier, MARCH, Musaafer, and Tatemó, earning a prized Michelin star. According to Michelin, the restaurants receiving the highly coveted distinction are selected for their use of top-quality ingredients and for dishes with distinct flavours that are prepared to a consistently high standard. To see a complete list of MICHELIN-recognized restaurants in Houston, click here.