LD Systems has upgraded the bowl audio system at NRG Stadium, known as Houston Stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The new system is based on a large-scale deployment of weather-resistant Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers, ensuring reliable operation whether the stadium’s roof is open or closed. All loudspeaker enclosures are designed to withstand exposure to the elements, a key requirement for the largest FIFA World Cup in history.
Working on behalf of Harris County and the NFL’s Houston Texans, LD Systems partnered with technical consultant WJHW on a project focused on improving audio quality while maintaining the venue’s original point-source system design.
 |
 |
The result is a high-performance audio system for both fans and venue operators. Back in 2002, LD Systems was responsible for integrating the stadium’s original audio system, including the seating bowl, concourses, VIP areas, restrooms, terraces and entrances, and has since provided technical maintenance and production support for every major event held at the venue.
A system designed for today’s demands
The long-standing relationship built over more than two decades was instrumental in bringing LD Systems back to lead the stadium’s latest technology upgrade.
Our deep knowledge of NRG Stadium allowed us to work with absolute precision during this new phase of the venue. We knew exactly what the project required, and that experience was key to bringing us back on board, explains Kevin Broussard, Sales Engineer at LD Systems.
The main seating bowl—mounted on the stadium’s so-called super truss—along with the concourses and support areas, features a total of 1,194 Fulcrum Acoustic loudspeakers, including AHC443 high-output horn-loaded arrays, weather-resistant dual 18-inch CS218LWR subwoofers, and other models such as the CX1226-MT200, CX1226, CX1595, CX826-MT120, FH1566 and FH1595.
The new system weighs 40% less than the previous installation. "Because the stadium has a retractable roof, nothing can be suspended from the roof structure. As a result, the entire system had to be mounted on the super truss, a constraint that shaped both the original design and this upgrade", explains Broussard.
 |
 |
The super truss is located approximately 76 metres above the playing field. "We reused the original custom rigging frames, allowing the loudspeakers to be lowered for maintenance without ever affecting their alignment", he explains. "In 24 years, we have never had to lower a single loudspeaker from the original system. For this upgrade, we followed exactly the same process: removing the old loudspeakers and hoisting the new ones into the very same positions".
The LD Systems team, including Project Manager Michael Keefe and Project Engineer Anthony DiDonato, had six months to remove the previous system and install the new infrastructure throughout the venue. However, tuning the bowl audio system was completed in just six hours over a single day.
"The result is outstanding, and we’re extremely proud of it", says Broussard. The combination of long-throw horn-loaded systems, distributed point-source loudspeakers and dedicated subwoofers provides uniform coverage and excellent speech intelligibility throughout the stadium.
We added eight subwoofer arrays—four on each side—to enhance low-frequency performance, and the results exceeded all expectations. In fact, we actually had to turn them down! The system now delivers much clearer high frequencies, greatly improved speech intelligibility and a low end that you can literally feel, completely transforming the stadium’s sound experience, adds Broussard.
Main system amplification is provided by Powersoft Unica amplifiers for the seating bowl and concourses, while VIP areas, technical spaces and ancillary zones are powered by Crown DCI amplifiers.
New control system and network infrastructure
LD Systems also installed a new control system and upgraded the venue’s network infrastructure.
The primary mixing platform is a Yamaha Rivage PM5, while the wireless audio system is based on Shure Axient microphones.
The audio infrastructure is managed through a Q-SYS platform equipped with redundant Core 5200 processors to ensure maximum reliability for mission-critical applications. Core 610 processors manage the audio systems in the suites.
One of the most significant aspects of the upgrade was the complete redesign of the audio system serving the suites. This included the installation of Q-SYS SPA-Qf 60x4 network amplifiers and QSC AD-C6T-ZB-WH ceiling loudspeakers.
The design provides a centralised control hub for monitoring, routing and DSP processing across the entire stadium while enabling independent audio management for the VIP suites and hospitality areas.
One of the biggest improvements introduced with this upgrade was providing more than 260 suites with their own dedicated audio systems. Previously, these spaces relied on spill from the seating bowl or television audio, which could be delayed by as much as four seconds. Now, every suite has its own loudspeaker system, control panel and multiple selectable audio sources, including live stadium audio, television, radio, post-game feeds and Bluetooth. In addition, each Bluetooth receiver has its own unique name, allowing users to connect easily and follow the action in real time, concludes Broussard.
Up to 72,220 fans attended each match in Houston during one of the world’s biggest football tournaments. NRG Stadium hosted seven matches featuring nine national teams between June and early July.
