AFC South Showdown: Texans vs. Colts Upcoming Game Info & History

Update (July 28): This article has been updated with the latest matchup information for the Texans vs. Colts.

When Do the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts Play Next?

The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans face off twice during the 2026 NFL regular season. Beyond the two rivalry matchups below, find Indianapolis Colts tickets and Houston Texans tickets on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

• Sunday, September 27, 2026: Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, November 19, 2026: Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans – Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas at 7:15 p.m. CT

Are the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts Rivals?

Yes, the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans are rivals in the NFL. Both teams are part of the AFC South Division and play each other at least two times per season. Known as the “Fight for AFC South Supremacy,” these teams are often the two contenders who compete to win their division.

Who are the Indianapolis Colts’ Biggest Rivals?

Along with the Texans, the Colts have a rivalry with the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills. The Colts also remain strong rivals with the New England Patriots, having played the Patriots five times in the NFL Playoffs, with the first three games being faceoffs between the Colts’ star quarterback Peyton Manning and the Patriots’ star quarterback Tom Brady.

Who are the Houston Texans’ Biggest Rivals?

Besides the Colts, the Houston Texans’ biggest rivals are their other divisional opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. Outside of their division, the Texans have a rivalry with in-state competitors, the Dallas Cowboys.

Game Results Between the Texans & Colts

The ferocity between the Texans and Colts has grown in recent years. A relatively new rivalry, these two teams always fight until the last minute to gain divisional dominance. After swapping divisional titles for much of the 2010s, the competitiveness between these two teams has become palpable whenever they play each other. The Colts absolutely crushed the Texans when these teams first met, going 15-1 between their first matchup in 2002 through the 2009 season. The teams then swapped wins and losses between 2010–2012, only to have another six-game win streak for the Colts from their second game in 2012 to their first game in 2015. The Colts have a staggering advantage over the rivalry with an overall record of 33-13-1.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts History

Since the Houston Texans entered the NFL in 2002 and the Indianapolis Colts entered their division (the AFC South) the same year, these two teams have remained bitter rivals. Although the Colts have shown their dominance with a total record going into the 2023 season of 33-13-1 in favor of the Colts, the 2010s saw a resurgence of the Texans to regain AFC South supremacy.

The Indianapolis Colts, led by star quarterback Peyton Manning, defeated the Houston Texans in their first nine matchups. The Colts were powerhouses during the 2000s, winning the AFC South division seven times between 2002–2010. The 2010s saw the Texans finally win their first AFC South championship in 2011. This sparked the true rivalry between these two teams as the fight for the AFC South began. The Texans would go on to win the division again in 2012, only to lose to the Colts in 2013 and 2014.

The next two seasons saw the Texans come back and win the division in 2015, 2016 and then again in 2018 and 2019. The near-decade-long back and forth between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans fueled the rivalry between these two teams. The Colts and Texans first met in the NFL Playoffs during the 2018 Wildcard game where the Colts won 21-7. These two teams also had a heart pounding game in week one of the 2022 season. The Colts made up a 14-point deficit in the second half to push the game into overtime. The game ended in the first tie in the Houston vs. Indianapolis rivalry, as well as the first tie in the Texans team history. Both teams have struggled going into the 2023 season, however their rivalry and competitiveness for AFC South supremacy remains strong.

Despite their differences, the Indianapolis Colts organization helped Houston Texans fundraise money after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017.

Where Do the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts Play?

The Indianapolis Colts play at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home to the Colts since it opened in 2008, Lucas Oil Stadium replaced the Colts’ previous home at the RCA Dome.

The Houston Texans play their home games at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Reliant Stadium is known for its massive retractable roof as well as being home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

How can I buy last-minute Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans tickets?

Looking for last-minute tickets to Colts vs. Texans today? Ticketmaster is a great place to buy last-minute tickets to Colts vs. Texans games. If you’re shopping for Colts vs. Texans tickets tonight, all NFL tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are 100% verified and instantly delivered to your phone — so you can buy tickets right up until kickoff. You can also view available seats and purchase last-minute Colts vs. Texans tickets this weekend on Ticketmaster up to an hour after kickoff.

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