A recent survey conducted by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs shows that most Harris County voters support increased investment in sports and entertainment facilities. The findings indicate a willingness among residents to use public funds for renovations to NRG Stadium and the Astrodome, as well as enthusiasm for new attractions in the area.
According to the survey, 75% of registered voters back using some level of public funding to renovate NRG Stadium. While 26% believe no public money should be spent on renovations, another 26% support covering between 21% and 40% of renovation costs with taxpayer dollars. About one-fourth would support up to 20% public funding.
Renée Cross, senior executive director at the Hobby School and principal investigator on the project, linked this support to strong local backing for major stadium tenants. “We found that 81% of voters have a favorable opinion of the rodeo, and 73% say the same about the Texans,” she said. “A substantial number of voters also agree that some public funding for renovations is appropriate.”
The survey also reports that more than six in ten respondents—62%—favor a public-private partnership to convert the Astrodome into an entertainment venue. The Astrodome has not hosted a major event since 2002.
Mark P. Jones, political science fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and senior research fellow at the Hobby School, highlighted broader community interest in expanding entertainment options: “We found widespread enthusiasm among Harris County residents for the construction of a destination theme park resort as well as for Houston obtaining both a WNBA team and an NHL team.”
Jones noted that Houston is currently unique among America’s fifteen largest metro areas because it lacks both a WNBA and an NHL franchise.
Survey results show that 68% are enthusiastic about a possible destination theme park resort in Houston; within this group, over half with children under age eighteen would visit more than once annually. Three out of four respondents express excitement about Houston hosting seven men’s World Cup soccer games at NRG Stadium next year. Enthusiasm is highest among Latino voters (84%), followed by Black (74%) and white (69%) voters.
Interest was lower regarding a potential motor speedway in Houston: only 48% expressed enthusiasm, with higher support among Republicans (56%) compared to Democrats (42%).
The full report can be accessed through the Hobby School website. The survey was conducted July 9-18 among Harris County registered voters in English and Spanish, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.04%.
Future installments from this research series will address voter attitudes toward weather-related issues.