NASA exhibit draws 500,000 visitors at FIFA World Cup Fan Fest

More than 500,000 visitors attended NASA's free interactive exhibit at the FIFA Fan Festival during the World Cup in East Downtown Houston from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Attendees explored an Orion spacecraft display, a lunar rover simulator, a Moon Base model, astromaterials, Hubble Space Telescope imagery, and a space-flown World Cup soccer ball, among other hands-on exhibits.

The exhibit aimed to educate a global audience about the Artemis program, the International Space Station, and the benefits of space exploration.

On June 20, 2026, Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover served as stadium captains at NRG Stadium before the Netherlands-Sweden match. They received a standing ovation from more than 67,000 fans, though weather prevented them from appearing on the Fan Festival main stage. They gave media interviews instead.

NASA and Adidas collaborated on a STEMonstration filmed aboard the International Space Station, demonstrating how physics principles apply to both space motion and soccer.

Expedition 74 crew members provided a prerecorded welcome message for opening day and recorded greetings played during matches and events across the United States and Mexico.

ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot recorded a "Viking Row" from the station, while ESA astronauts Andreas Mogensen and Marcus Wandt joined tributes from the ground.

The festival's closing ceremony on July 19 featured a final message from Expedition 74. NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei then took the stage, discussed his astronaut journey, his first view of Earth from space, and the focus shared by spacewalkers and soccer players, and kicked a ceremonial soccer ball.

Jessica Cordero, Johnson community engagement lead, praised the NASA volunteers: "They connected with fans and shared the excitement of Artemis III and NASA's return to the Moon. They are truly the best volunteer crew on the planet!"