The FIFA World Cup is back in North Texas for the first time since 1994. The tournament will take place June 11 to July 19 across Mexico, Canada and the United States, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington is hosting more matches (nine) than any other city, including a coveted semifinal. Throw in all the fan festivals and watch parties, and the DFW Metroplex is a major hub of the 2026 tournament.
Whether you’re a local looking to soak up the atmosphere or an international visitor making the trip to Texas, here’s what you need to know about the FIFA World Cup in Dallas, including stadium and ticketing info, match schedules, and what else to do while you’re in town.
Where is the FIFA World Cup being held in Dallas?
Despite FIFA naming the host city as Dallas and the host venue as Dallas Stadium, the nine local World Cup matches are actually being held in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. (FIFA strips the brand names from host venues.) The stadium is massive and modern, with nearly 100,000 seats when configured for soccer and screens so big you might forget to look at the field.
Arlington sits roughly in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth, so it’s a relatively convenient spot for soccer fans. It’s about 20 minutes from Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport and 30 minutes from Downtown Dallas and Downtown Fort Worth (on a good day), though you’ll want to budget for more time on match days.
How can I get to the stadium?
By public transit
Here’s a fun/depressing fact: With about 400,000 residents, Arlington is the largest city in the United States without a public mass transit system. However, there’s still an option for fans: You can take the Trinity Railway Express, a commuter line with stations in Downtown Dallas and Downtown Fort Worth, most of the way to the stadium. Trains will run every 30 minutes on match days. Get off at CentrePort Station, and from there, official charter buses will shuttle passengers the additional 20 or so minutes to a bus hub located near the stadium. Those who wish to go this route should buy tickets in advance and allot for extra time.
By car
If you want to drive yourself, there are thousands of parking spaces around the stadium, but it’s going to be pricey. Early match prices start around $100 for a spot, and the semifinal match has reported parking rates as high as $1,000, so prepare to get gouged. The better idea is to take a rideshare, like Uber, Lyft or Alto. Cars can’t drop you off right at the front doors, but there is a dedicated rideshare drop-off and pickup lot about a half mile from the stadium.
Can I still get tickets?
Official tickets are still available for group stage matches and later rounds. They are limited and expensive, but if you’ve got a few thousands dollars and want to attend, you can score seats—just act fast. If you miss out, there’s also an official resale marketplace where you can safely purchase tickets from individual ticketholders.
Where should I stay?
The closest thing to a home base is either the Loews Arlington Hotel or Live! by Loews, four-star sibling properties located across the street from one another in the Arlington Entertainment District. They’re both a 10-minute walk to the stadium and surrounded by dining options. If you’re coming into town for a match and don’t want to drive, these are your best options. There’s still some inventory available during the World Cup, though rates are inflated. There are plenty more hotels in Arlington within a short drive, including several mid-tier chains along I-30.
If you’re coming into town for a few days and want to maximize your time, consider basing your stay in Dallas or Fort Worth. Both cities offer lots of hotels, restaurants and activities to keep you busy outside of match days. Downtown Dallas hotels like the Joule, the Adolphus and Hôtel Swexan are great for luxury stays, and each offers straight-shot access to Arlington via highway, so it’s easy to drive or hail a rideshare.
A couple of our favorite high-end hotels in Fort Worth are Bowie House and The Drover. Both feature western flair that’s fun for visitors, especially those experiencing Texas for the first time. But the city has properties across all budgets, so there’s something for everyone.
What else should I do in the Dallas area?
Arlington is known for its stadiums—the Texas Rangers play baseball next door to AT&T Stadium—and amusement parks, like Six Flags Over Texas. Outside of those attractions, you’ll likely have more fun exploring the two major cities on its flanks. History buffs can head to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza in Downtown Dallas, which is one of the most visited historical sites in the state. The museum chronicles the life, presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy from within the former Texas School Book Depository, with a direct view of the infamous spot where Kennedy was killed. And art buffs should check out the Dallas Arts District, which spans about 20 walkable blocks and is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the country. A few great options are the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art. Since you’re nearby, swing through Klyde Warren Park for a food truck lunch with views of Downtown on one side and Uptown on the other.
Over in Fort Worth, the Stockyards has twice-daily longhorn cattle drives, good steakhouses and fun honky-tonk bars, including the massive and lively Billy Bob’s, where you can learn to line dance. The city is also home to excellent museums like the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern. And it would be foolish not to sample classic Texas barbecue at top-notch barbecue joints like Goldee’s (expect a line) or Panther City.
What’s the match schedule?
Dallas’s nine matches are below, with all times listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT). Group stage matchups are confirmed, while the round of 32, round of 16 and semifinal matchups will be determined as the tournament progresses.
Sun, June 14
🇳🇱 Netherlands vs. 🇯🇵 Japan at 3pm
Wed, June 17
🏴 England vs. 🇭🇷 Croatia at 3pm
Mon, June 22
🇦🇷 Argentina vs. 🇦🇹 Austria at noon
Thu, June 25
🇯🇵 Japan vs. 🇸🇪 Sweden at 6pm
Sat, June 27
🇯🇴 Jordan vs. 🇦🇷 Argentina at 9pm
Tue, June 30
Group E Runner-up vs. Group I Runner-up at 1pm
Fri, July 3
Group D Runner-up vs. Group G Runner-up at 2pm
Mon, July 6
Round of 16 – TBD vs. TBD
Tue, July 14
Semifinal – TBD vs. TBD
How else can I partake? Are there fan festivals or watch parties?
The FIFA Fan Festival is centered in Fair Park, a 277-acre complex that’s home to a large collection of Art Deco buildings and is the annual host of the State Fair of Texas. The Dallas park is the non-stadium epicenter for all things World Cup, so it should be a popular draw for Dallasites and visitors who aren’t attending in person. The grounds can host up to 35,000 people at once. There will be a walkable village, mini soccer fields and food vendors, plus live music stages and giant viewing areas with 7,000 covered seats and more room to sprawl out in the grass. And while Arlington is a public transit desert, the DART Green Line runs directly to Fair Park.
Another great option is the Texas Live! complex in Arlington, which is located next to AT&T Stadium. It features 11 restaurants and 22 bars, so it’ll be popular before and after matches for fans attending in person. Those who don’t have tickets can still head there and hang out close to the action. The venue has TVs everywhere, including a 100-foot LED screen, so you can watch every match in life-size detail.
