Replacement Work Underway on the Retractable Membrane Roof at “NRG Stadium,” the Venue for the 2026 World Cup

Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka Headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yuki Nomura), a company specializing in large-scale membrane structures (tent structures) as well as civil engineering and logistics materials, announced that through its U.S. subsidiary, Birdair, Inc.(Headquarters: Buffalo, New York, U.S.) to carry out the replacement of the retractable membrane roof at “NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium)” (Houston, Texas, U.S.) in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The roof panel replacement was completed before the tournament began, and cable installation and some steel framing work are scheduled to continue through the second half of 2026.

When NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) was completed in 2002, it garnered attention as the world’s first NFL (National Football League) stadium to feature a retractable roof.Birdair was responsible for installing the original membrane roof, and as part of the renovation project—carried out more than 20 years after the stadium’s completion—the company replaced the membrane with a highly durable PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane*.

The stadium is scheduled to serve as a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Birdair will support this event—which is expected to attract large crowds from around the world—through its spatial technology expertise.

Membrane structures are characterized by their ability to create large-span spaces that take advantage of the materials’ light weight, while their high light transmittance allows natural light to filter in gently, creating comfortable and open spaces. They also offer excellent constructability and durability, and are adopted in large-scale structures such as stadiums, airports, and exhibition facilities around the world.The Taiyo Kogyo Group leverages the membrane structure technology it has cultivated over many years to create spaces that harmonize functionality and design.

In addition to NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium), the following venues will host the tournament: “AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)” (Arlington, Texas, U.S.),“Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)” (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.), and “MetLife Stadium (New York-New Jersey Stadium)” (East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.)—all four venues where the Taiyo Kogyo Group has installed membrane roofs—are scheduled to be used for the tournament.

*PTFE glass fiber membrane: A membrane material consisting of glass fibers coated with fluoropolymer (PTFE). It is lightweight and offers excellent durability and stain resistance, and is used in large-scale buildings and other structures.This robust composite material—a fluoropolymer-coated glass fiber fabric—was also used in the world’s first permanent membrane structure, La Verne University (constructed in 1973, California, USA).

[Reference] May 27, 2025 Press Release
Awarded Contract for Membrane Roof Renovation at “NRG Stadium” in the U.S., a Venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

2026年サッカー世界大会会場 米「NRGスタジアム」の膜屋根改修を受注

Name: NRG Stadium (formerly Reliant Stadium)
Location: Houston, Texas, within NRG Park
Owner: Harris County
Architect: HOK SPORT
Structural Engineer: Walter P. Moore
Capacity: 72,220 (maximum approximately 80,000)
Completed: 2002
Renovation: 2025
Roof Material: PTFE membrane
Retractable Roof: Approx. 10 minutes
Roof Dimensions: Approx. 152 meters long × approx. 117 meters wide

・NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) *Photo taken before renovation
Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.
Capacity: 72,000
Completed: 2002 (renovated in 2025)
Material: PTFE glass fiber membrane
Area: 27,000 m²

・AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium)
Location: Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Capacity: 94,000
Completed: 2009
Material: PTFE glass fiber membrane
Area: 13,750 m²

・Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium)
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Capacity: 75,000
Completed: 2017
Material: ETFE film
Area: 27,000 m²

・MetLife Stadium (New York-New Jersey Stadium)
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
Capacity: 82,500
Completion: 2010
Material: PTFE glass fiber membrane
Area: 1,600 m²

Taiyo Kogyo’s U.S. subsidiary (wholly owned subsidiary)
・Established: 1956
・President: Hikaru Konno
・Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

Taiyo Kogyo is a leading company in the field of large-scale membrane structures, with a history spanning over 100 years. At the 1970 Japan World Exposition, the company achieved a world first by constructing a low-rise (height-restricted) pneumatic membrane structure for the U.S. Pavilion, in which the roof was supported solely by air pressure.Since then, the company has participated in large-scale projects around the world, including the installation of the membrane roof at the Tokyo Dome and the Millennium Dome in London (now known as The O2 Arena), one of the world’s largest dome structures. Furthermore, for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo, the company was involved in the construction of more than 20 pavilions and facilities, playing a key role in the development of the Expo site.With membrane structure technology—which excels in cost-effectiveness, constructability, light transmission, and design—at the core of our operations, we have expanded our business into the fields of architecture, civil engineering, logistics, and the environment, thereby supporting safety and peace of mind in society.
Together with group companies such as TSP Taiyo Co., Ltd., which provides event consulting, and Actio Co., Ltd., which manages facility operations, we will continue to provide new value to society under the motto, “Soften the World. Warm the Future.”