Robin Nicholson

By the Numbers

• Stadium: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
• Capacity: 80,000+
• World Cup Matches Hosted: 9 matches including a semi-final round and 4 knockout games 
• Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
• Metro population: ~7.6 million
• Location: Arlington – approximately 20 miles west of Downtown Dallas
• Average June high: 95°F (35°C) with heat index above 100°F
• UV Index: Extreme – among the highest of any US host city in June
• DFW Airport annual passengers: 85+  million – one of the most connected international airports in the world with more direct international flights than almost any other US host city

Why Dallas Is a Serious World Cup Host City

Dallas is gearing up to host more FIFA World Cup games than any other city!

AT&T Stadium is one of the great venues in America – This iconic stadium, which  has hosted Super Bowls, WrestleMania, and major international soccer events is undergoing a $350M upgrade to ready it for the world stage with an enhanced video board, bars, shops, and wellness spaces. 

DFW Airport is a World Cup asset – More direct international flights, fewer weather cancellations, and a central US location that makes Dallas one of the easiest host cities to reach from anywhere on earth. Over 85  million passengers annually and routes to virtually every major city in the world.

The food diversity is genuinely extraordinary – Tex-Mex and BBQ are famous. The Korean restaurants in Carrollton, Vietnamese in Garland, Indian in Irving, and Ethiopian in South Dallas are what make Dallas a serious food city that most visitors never discover.

The Dallas Reality Check

Dallas rewards planning and punishes spontaneity. There is no cute walkable European vibe. There is no hopping between neighborhoods on foot. There is no “I’ll just figure it out when I get there.” DFW is massive, spread out, and car-dependent in a way that’s not a complaint – it’s just the operating reality.

If you wing your transportation here, you will pay for it in time and money. A spontaneous Uber from Deep Ellum to AT&T Stadium post-match on surge pricing will cost you $120 and take 75 minutes. A planned rideshare booked 30 minutes early costs $40 and takes 35 minutes. That’s the Dallas gap.

Plan your match day logistics before you land. Know how you’re getting to the stadium, where you’re eating, and how you’re getting back. The city rewards that preparation with an extraordinary experience. Without it, DFW’s sprawl will frustrate you at every turn.

The Dallas World Cup Strategy

• Stay in Uptown, Downtown, or Deep Ellum – the neighborhoods with the most character and best access to everything
• Rent a car or budget for rideshare – the sprawling metropolis makes car transportation essential 
• AT&T Stadium is in Arlington – 20 miles from Dallas, plan every trip around it
• Eat Tex-Mex within your first meal – non-negotiable
• Add Deep Ellum to every evening – music, murals, bars, and the soul of Dallas in a few walkable blocks
• Consider Fort Worth as your base – see Section 9
• Book everything 5-7 days in advance – restaurants, experiences, and rideshare timing

AT&T Stadium – What to Know

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, nicknamed ‘Jerry World,’  is one of the most impressive sports venues in America.

Key stadium facts:

• Capacity: 80,000+ for World Cup configuration
• Retractable roof – climate controlled when closed, Texas sky when open
• Retractable end zone doors – the stadium opens to the landscape in ideal conditions
• Home of the Dallas Cowboys – the NFL’s most valuable franchise
• Has hosted Super Bowl XLV, WrestleMania 32, Copa América, and multiple major international events

The retractable roof changes everything – A World Cup match in Texas June heat without climate control would be dangerous. Closed, AT&T Stadium is a perfectly conditioned arena. Open, it’s 80,000 people under a Texas sky. Both configurations are extraordinary – check your specific match’s roof status and dress accordingly.

The video board – The center-hung screen at 160 feet wide and 72 feet tall is the largest in the world. It’s part of the recent World Cup stadium renovations to upgrade it to 4K to see every play in high-definition–even from the nosebleeds. 

Arrive 90 minutes early – World Cup security plus an 80,000-person venue plus Arlington’s road network requires it without exception.

Stadium Logistics – The Full Breakdown

AT&T Stadium sits in Arlington – between Dallas and Fort Worth – with no direct rail connection to either city. Plan logistics accordingly to arrive on time for the  Dallas World Cup matches.

Rideshare Cost Estimates (Match Day)

The rule: Never call a rideshare immediately post-match. Wait 25–30 minutes, save $50–80 every time.

Traffic Time Estimates on Match Day

• Downtown Dallas to AT&T Stadium: 25–35 min normal, 45–65 min match day
• Fort Worth to AT&T Stadium: 20–30 min normal, 35–50 min match day

Parking

Pre-book through the AT&T Stadium official portal – approximately $40–75 depending on lot. Day-of availability is not guaranteed for major events.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

The commuter rail runs from Downtown Dallas (Union Station) to Fort Worth with a stop at CentrePort – approximately 2 miles from AT&T Stadium. A short rideshare covers the final leg. The most underutilized and underrated transit option for Dallas World Cup matches.

Post-Match Exit Reality

Arlington’s road network was built for car dependency. Plan for 30–60 minutes to clear the stadium area by car. The 25-minute wait strategy applies here more than any other host city on the list.

A Perfect Dallas Match Day Timeline

8:00 AM – Breakfast tacos. Any taqueria in Uptown or Lower Greenville – migas, barbacoa, bean and cheese. 

9:30 AM – Deep Ellum murals and coffee. The neighborhood before noon is completely different compared to post-match excitement  – both worth experiencing.

11:30 AM – Dallas Museum of Art or Klyde Warren Park. Both are free, both are excellent, both are within walking distance of each other.

1:00 PM – Tex-Mex or BBQ lunch. Both are the right answer.

3:00 PM – Rideshare or drive to AT&T Stadium. Budget match day traffic time.

4:30 PM – Arrive at Jerry World. The scale hits you on approach. Allow time to absorb it.

6:00 PM – Kickoff.

9:00 PM – Post-match. Wait 25 minutes, then rideshare to Dallas.

10:30 PM – Deep Ellum at night. Live music from every venue on the strip.

Getting Around Dallas

Dallas is the most car-dependent major host city on the list. Public transit exists but doesn’t solve the World Cup problem without supplementing with a rideshare.

Rideshare – Essential

Uber and Lyft are widely available. See cost table above. Book 30–45 minutes before departure on match days.

Rental Car – Highly Recommended

Dallas rewards having a car more than any other US host city. DFW’s sprawl means rideshare costs compound quickly.

DART

Dallas’s light rail connects Downtown, Uptown, and Deep Ellum. Useful for moving around Dallas itself – does not reach AT&T Stadium directly.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

Commuter rail from Union Station to Fort Worth with a stadium-adjacent stop. Underutilized and underrated – the best transit option for fans near Downtown Dallas.

Driving Warning

Texas drivers are aggressive and traffic will be even more hectic with the influx of World Cup attendees. Adjust your expectations and stay right if you’re driving the actual limit.

Is Fort Worth the Smarter Base?

Fort Worth gets dismissed as Dallas’s smaller sibling. For World Cup 2026, it might actually be the smartest base on the list.

Consider that AT&T Stadium is equidistant between Dallas and Fort Worth – 20 miles from each. Fort Worth hotel rates are significantly lower than Dallas. The Stockyards National Historic District is one of the most authentic Texas experiences available anywhere. Sundance Square is a walkable entertainment district with dining, shopping, art, and more. And the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth holds more than 350 artworks, including world famous painters. 

If your priorities are:

• Stadium proximity over city-center convenience
• Lower hotel rates with genuine character
• Authentic Texas experience over modern urban vibe
• The TRE direct to AT&T Stadium from downtown

Fort Worth may actually be your best base. This option saves money and delivers a different, and often more authentically Texan – World Cup experience.

Hotel Reality – What to Expect

Dallas is more affordable than coastal host cities but World Cup demand will push prices significantly.

• Expect 2–3x normal June pricing during match weeks
• Uptown and Downtown properties book first
• Fort Worth offers genuine savings with comparable stadium access
• Minimum stay requirements possible during peak periods

Where to Eat and Drink

Dallas has more food options per capita than almost any city in America – and the depth goes far beyond the Tex-Mex and BBQ that get all the attention. Book reservations 5-7 days in advance for destination dining during the World Cup.

The Non-Negotiables

Tex-Mex – Dallas Tex-Mex is different from San Antonio, different from Austin, different from anything you’ve had elsewhere. Queso, enchiladas, puffy tacos. Eat it within your first meal.

Texas BBQ – Cattleack Barbeque or Pecan Lodge – Texas BBQ is a religion and Dallas has two of its great temples. Brisket, ribs, sausage cooked overnight. Arrive early – lines form before opening and sell out.

Korean BBQ in Carrollton – This Dallas suburb features one of the most authentic Korean dining experiences in America outside LA and New York. One of DFW’s greatest food secrets.

Pre-Match

Al Biernat’s – Oak Lawn: The quintessential Dallas steakhouse. Cowboys legends, oil money, and visiting celebrities. The ribeye.

Mudhen Meat and Greens – Lower Greenville: Farm-to-table Texas cooking. The smoked chicken is extraordinary.

Post-Match

Deep Ellum bar strip: Live music from every venue, dive bars next to craft cocktail lounges. The post-match destination.

The Rustic – Uptown: Massive outdoor patio, live music nightly, Texas craft beer. Perfect for groups.

Truck Yard – Lower Greenville: Outdoor beer garden, food trucks, giant treehouse bar. One of Dallas’s most beloved spots.

The Dallas Non-Negotiables

• Tex-Mex – queso, enchiladas, breakfast tacos. All different from anywhere else.
• Texas BBQ brisket – point cut with a bark. Arrive early.
• Korean BBQ in Carrollton – one of the great food experiences in DFW
• Texas craft beer – Peticolas, Lakewood, Deep Ellum Brewing
• Chicken fried steak – at least once

Dallas Fan Culture – Where Fans Will Actually Be

FC Dallas is one of MLS’s founding clubs – over two decades of supporter culture at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. The Dallas Beer Guardians and other supporter groups have built a genuine fan infrastructure. Ricardo Pepi came through the FC Dallas academy – the club feeds the US national team with real talent.

But the deeper World Cup energy in Dallas comes from the communities.

Mexico matches – Oak Cliff, Irving, and Arlington’s Latin neighborhoods will be uncontainable. Dallas has one of America’s largest Mexican diaspora communities. When Mexico plays, entire neighborhoods transform. The bars on Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff and the strip along MacArthur Boulevard in Irving will be packed hours before kickoff.

South American matches – Uptown and Deep Ellum bars with large screens. Copa América energy is already embedded in Dallas’s Latin communities – World Cup amplifies it.

Korea matches – Carrollton’s Koreatown transforms completely. Korean sports bars become the loudest rooms in DFW for Korean national team matches. Worth visiting even if you’re not Korean.

Arlington tailgate culture – The parking lots around AT&T Stadium have a tailgate tradition built over decades of Cowboys games. The FIFA World Cup will bring an international version of that culture to the lots. Arrive early and walk the tailgate zone before heading into the stadium.

COSM Dallas – The World Cup Like You’ve Never Seen It

COSM has one of its immersive shared reality venues in Dallas – and for World Cup 2026, it becomes one of the most extraordinary ways to experience matches you don’t have a ticket for.

COSM’s domed venue puts you inside the match – not watching on a screen, surrounded by it. The scale, the atmosphere, the visual immersion is unlike any bar, any watch party, or any fan zone on the host city list.

For Dallas World Cup visitors attending one match at AT&T Stadium, booking a COSM experience for a second match is the move. Two completely different versions of the World Cup in the same city – both extraordinary in their own way.

BOOK YOUR COSM DALLAS EXPERIENCE

If You Want to Do Dallas Big

Dallas has serious money and the infrastructure to spend it. The luxury World Cup experience here is genuinely elite.

AT&T Stadium suite culture – Jerry World’s suites and club levels are among the most premium matchday experiences in American sports. Corporate hospitality packages for World Cup matches are available through official FIFA hospitality channels. The gap between a suite at AT&T Stadium and a regular seat is one of the largest of any host venue.

Highland Park Village – America’s first planned shopping center, still one of its finest. Luxury retail in a neighborhood where the wealth is old, quiet, and real. The restaurants around Highland Park are where Dallas money actually eats.

Uptown VIP nightlife – Uptown’s club and lounge scene caters to Dallas’s corporate and professional class. Private tables, bottle service, and the kind of crowd that dresses for the occasion. Book in advance for World Cup weekends – demand will be exceptional.

Private stadium tours – AT&T Stadium offers behind-the-scenes tours that go where regular fans don’t, including the locker rooms, the field level, the suite corridors. Book well in advance for World Cup dates.

Dallas Mistakes to Avoid

• Winging your transportation – Dallas rewards planning and punishes spontaneity. Plan every trip before you land.
• Underestimating distances – DFW is massive. Everything is further than it looks.
• Not renting a car – The most car-dependent host city on the list. Rideshare costs compound fast.
• Calling Uber immediately post-match – surge pricing at AT&T Stadium is extreme. Wait 25–30 minutes.
• Only eating Tex-Mex and BBQ – both are mandatory, but Korean BBQ in Carrollton will reset your expectations for the entire trip
• Skipping Deep Ellum – the most authentic Dallas cultural experience and the one most visitors miss
• Dismissing Fort Worth – 30 minutes west, lower prices, and a more authentically Texan experience

Beyond the Game – Dallas in June

Deep Ellum – Live music from everywhere. Blues, jazz, punk, hip-hop, country. The murals make it one of the most visually distinctive neighborhoods in America.

Klyde Warren Park – Built over a freeway. Food trucks, free programming, the best people-watching in Dallas. Free.

Dallas Arts District – The largest contiguous urban arts district in America. The DMA alone fills a day.

Sixth Floor Museum – Dealey Plaza and the Texas School Book Depository. Understanding what happened here is part of understanding Dallas.

Fort Worth Day Trip – Stockyards, Sundance Square, the Kimbell. A full day and worth every hour.

Day Trips:

• Fort Worth – 30 minutes west, the more authentically Texan experience
• Waco – 90 minutes south, Magnolia Market
• Austin – 3 hours south, the music capital of Texas

What to Pack for Dallas

• Moisture-wicking clothing – essential for any outdoor time
• Light colors – dark clothing absorbs Texas heat aggressively
• SPF 50+ sunscreen – extreme UV index in North Texas
• Polarized sunglasses – essential, not optional
• Light layer for evenings – Dallas cools significantly after dark
• Layer for air-conditioned venues – Texas AC is aggressive indoors
• Broken-in walking shoes – Deep Ellum and Uptown reward walkability

See our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Packing List for everything else.

Fan Zone Information

FIFA will establish an official Fan Zone in Dallas for World Cup 2026 is Fair Park, one of Dallas’ most popular destinations and sports/cultural hubs.

Home to theTexas State Fair, the fairgrounds will transform into the Fan Festival, featuring FIFA fandom activities for all ages. It’s easily accessible via DART public transportation.