Candlelight® by Fever returns to the Genuine Cup for a second year of music and inclusion in Houston
The beloved concert series will once again bring a candlelit evening to Rice University Stadium, honoring IDD and autistic athletes competing from around the world
Houston, 2026 - For the second consecutive year, Candlelight®, Fever's celebrated live concert series, is joining forces with the Genuine Cup 2026 — the international soccer tournament that brings together athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism from across the globe.
On Aug. 1, 2026, Rice University Stadium comes alive with a fan fest, the tournament's finals games, and a closing ceremony honoring athletes from around the world. To cap off the evening, the field transforms into a candlelit stage for a Candlelight performance.
This year's program features reimagined arrangements of "DTMF" by Bad Bunny, "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay, "Hey Jude" by The Beatles, and "We Are the Champions" by Queen, alongside a performance of the Champions League theme song.
"We're thrilled to bring Candlelight back to the Genuine Cup for a second year," said Tom McElwee, General Manager, North America, for Fever. "This partnership allows Fever to do what we do best — create shared experiences that unite people around something greater than the show itself. Watching these athletes compete and then celebrating with them under candlelight is a moment we're proud to be part of."
Fever is the world's leading tech platform for discovering culture and live entertainment, inspiring over 300 million people last year to discover the best experiences in over 40 countries. With a mission to democratize access to culture and entertainment in real life, Fever inspires users to enjoy unique experiences and events—from immersive exhibitions and sports to interactive theatrical performances, concerts, and festivals—while empowering its partners with data and technology to develop and expand new experiences worldwide.