NASA Brings Space Exploration to FIFA Fan Festival in Houston

From June 11 through July 19, NASA’s free interactive exhibit at the FIFA Fan Festival™ introduced soccer fans in East Downtown Houston to the excitement of space exploration.

More than 500,000 visitors explored the NASA exhibit during the tournament, discovering how NASA missions, scientific research, and space technology improve life on Earth.

The exhibit highlighted NASA’s Artemis program, plans for a future Moon Base, the International Space Station, and the next generation of human space exploration.

Visitors experienced an Orion spacecraft display, an International Space Station model, NASA’s Orion Crew Survival System suit, astromaterials, Hubble Space Telescope images, the Lunar and Mars Touch Table exhibit, a space-flown FIFA World Cup soccer ball, Space Center Houston activities, photo opportunities, and other hands-on experiences.

Soccer fans also climbed into a lunar rover simulator and drove across a virtual lunar surface. A Moon Base display showed how astronauts could live and work on the Moon during future Artemis missions, while lunar tools demonstrated the equipment needed to support exploration.

The FIFA Fan Festival also welcomed special NASA guests. On June 20, Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman and Pilot Victor Glover served as stadium captains before the Netherlands-Sweden match at NRG Stadium. More than 67,000 fans gave the astronauts a standing ovation.

Although weather conditions prevented Wiseman and Glover from appearing on the FIFA Fan Festival main stage, they shared their experiences through media interviews.

NASA also explored the connection between spaceflight and soccer through a STEMonstration created in collaboration with Adidas. Filmed aboard the International Space Station, the demonstration explains how the physics that control motion in space also influence the game of soccer on Earth.

Expedition 74 crew members opened the FIFA Fan Festival with a prerecorded welcome message that aired on opening day. Throughout the tournament, the crew recorded additional greetings that played during matches and FIFA Fan Festival events across the United States and Mexico.

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot joined the celebration by recording a “Viking Row” aboard the International Space Station. ESA astronauts Andreas Mogensen and Marcus Wandt also participated from the ground in a playful tribute connecting soccer fans on Earth with life in orbit.

After nearly 40 days of showcasing NASA missions and Artemis exploration to soccer fans from around the world, the FIFA Fan Festival concluded with a final message from the Expedition 74 crew during the official closing ceremony.

On the ground, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei took the FIFA Fan Festival stage to discuss his path to becoming an astronaut, his first view of Earth from space, and the focus required during a spacewalk. He explained how that concentration mirrors the discipline soccer players need on the field before kicking the ceremonial soccer ball and officially closing NASA’s participation in the festival.

“We could not have done this without the incredible NASA team who volunteered,” said Jessica Cordero, Johnson community engagement lead. “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!”