The FIFA World Cup has arrived in Houston, and Rice University is helping bring the excitement to fans across campus and the city.
Rice hosted its first two official World Cup watch parties June 11 and 12, drawing students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to Valhalla and the Ion District to cheer on teams from around the globe while celebrating Houston’s role as a host city for the world’s biggest sporting event.
“This is the most important event in sports that happens every four years, and it’s great to be able to welcome the world to Houston and to Rice’s campus,” President Reginald DesRoches said during the opening watch party. “There are people from all over the world here watching this game, and this represents the culture of the university.”
The gatherings are part of Rice’s broader involvement in FIFA World Cup 2026 as an official Houston Host City Supporter. Throughout the tournament, the university is hosting watch parties, welcoming visitors to campus and engaging hundreds of student, faculty and staff volunteers helping support World Cup activities across the region.
The first watch party June 11 transformed Valhalla into a lively gathering place as fans watched Mexico and South Africa open tournament play. One day later, Rice brought the celebration to Houston’s Ion District in the city’s innovation corridor, hosting a watch party for the United States-Paraguay match and extending the World Cup experience into the broader community
For Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a fan of Argentina, the watch parties highlighted both the global reach of the tournament and Rice’s place on the international stage.
“Not only does it bring all of the cameras of the world to Rice, but it gives us a chance to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and the quality of life that we provide to our students and staff,” Alvarez said.
Students said the events created a unique opportunity to connect with others through a shared love of soccer while celebrating the university’s international character.
“This is a really special experience, just seeing all these people gather to enjoy this global game,” said Arantxa Galvan, a Rice doctoral student cheering on Mexico.
Max Paxtian, also a Rice doctoral student, said the World Cup atmosphere has been impossible to miss.
“You definitely feel like you’re a part of it,” Paxtian said. “There are a lot of World Cup themes and stuff around campus, and it’s just great. This is awesome.”
For Stian Du Preez, a graduate student with South African roots, the watch party offered a rare opportunity to support his national team alongside fellow fans.
“I don’t really expect on a day-to-day basis to get to come out and support a South African event with everyone around,” Du Preez said. “Normally, if I’m watching South African sports, it’s in my apartment alone with maybe a friend or two. So it’s really fun to see everyone out here.”
The watch parties are scheduled to continue throughout the tournament, giving members of the Rice community and the public additional opportunities to gather, celebrate and experience the energy of the World Cup together.
Upcoming watch parties include June 17 at the Ion for Portugal versus Congo DR and Round of 32 matches June 29 and July 1 at the Rice Stadium R Room.