HTX-SLM: Impact 3/26/2026

Good Morning, Sugar Land & Missouri City!

Top Story

Sugar Land opens volunteer headquarters to support 2026 FIFA World Cup

The city of Sugar Land held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 25 for its new 2026 FIFA World Cup volunteer center ahead of Houston matches this summer.

The opening comes after Sugar Land City Council approved a $2.5 million sponsorship with the Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee in September, Community Impact reported.

The big picture: The new volunteer center, which was donated to the city by Rebees Management Company, will act as a central hub for volunteer coordination, training and engagement for activities including:

Volunteer recruitment, onboarding and training
Daily briefings and shift coordination
On-site support
Volunteer rest and recovery space
Public-facing visitor information and assistance

The back of the center is designed for volunteer briefings, and the front is more of a lounge and relaxation area, said Austin Pennington, Sugar Land’s graphic design/multimedia coordinator, who was responsible for the building's interior design.

What’s next: The volunteer center will operate between March 25 and July, when the World Cup concludes, Mayor Carol McCutcheon said.

Coming Soon

Pep’s Backyard coming to Sugar Land near Constellation Field

Pep’s Backyard is set to open near Constellation Field in Sugar Land later this year.

What to expect: The family- and pet-friendly entertainment venue will offer a variety of activities, including:

Music acts on the main stage
Sporting events on its 26-foot screen and more than 20 TVs
A 21-plus rooftop
Dedicated kid zone
Onsite dog park

What else: Additionally, guests can enjoy drinks from 30 taps, a full selection of mixed and frozen drinks, as well as a variety of rotating food trucks and vendors, Cory Hidalgo said.

13111 Hwy. 6 S., Sugar Land

Worth The Trip

See when these 9 Greater Houston-area water parks will open for the 2026 season

From water parks built for thrill-seekers to tranquil lagoons perfect for relaxing, there are several ways for Houston-area residents to cool off this summer.

Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures: Located in New Caney, this water park also features amusement park rides, an inflatable course, zip lines, ax-throwing, a maze, a gator exhibit and a petting zoo.

Open for Spring Adventure days in March; all water attractions open select days April 3-Sept. 30
$19.99 (single-use day ticket March 7-29), $44.99 (single-use day ticket April 3-Sept. 30), $99.99 (season pass), free (age 2 and under)

Great Wolf Lodge Webster: This climate-controlled indoor water park in Webster also features dryland attractions, lodging and dining.

Open year-round
$34-$55 (half-day pass), $49-$79 (full-day pass), $65-$269 (season pass)

Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark: Rivers connect three distinct park sections at this water park in Galveston, which features water slides, raft rides, pools, water coasters and water playgrounds.