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9 matches including the semifinal · Fair Park Fan Festival · The honest Arlington transit guide nobody else will give you
Dallas hosts nine 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington — branded "Dallas Stadium" under FIFA's clean-stadium policy — more than any other host city, capped by the semifinal on Tuesday, July 14. The one hard truth every visitor needs first: there is no rail line to the stadium. Arlington is the largest U.S. city with no mass transit. You reach matches one of four ways — the free charter-bus bridge from the TRE CentrePort station (about 125 buses; the TRE rail leg itself needs a separate ~$9 regional day pass), Arlington On-Demand microtransit ($3–$8 per ride, flat $3 to/from CentrePort), pre-booked FIFA JustPark parking ($125–$500), or post-match rideshare around $80–$120. The free FIFA Fan Festival runs at Fair Park (35,000 capacity, Jun 11–Jul 19) on the DART Green Line. Everything below is the detailed matchday plan.
There is no direct rail to AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The most reliable route is the free charter-bus bridge: ride the Trinity Railway Express to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station (a ~$9 regional day pass) where roughly 125 free charter buses run to a stadium bus hub about a half-mile walk from the gates. Alternatives are Arlington On-Demand microtransit ($3–$8, flat $3 to/from CentrePort), pre-booked FIFA JustPark parking ($125–$500), or rideshare ($80–$120 with heavy post-match surge).
Dallas hosts the most World Cup matches of any city in the tournament — 9 total, including the semifinal on July 14.
AT&T Stadium (80,000+ seats) is the largest World Cup venue. The free Fan Festival at Fair Park runs 34 match days. Up to 100,000 visitors per match day are expected in the DFW area.
All 9 matches are played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, operating as "Dallas Stadium" per FIFA naming convention. Dallas hosts more matches than any other city in the 2026 tournament — including the crown jewel: the semifinal on July 14. Group stage opponents are confirmed; knockout round matchups will be determined by group results.
| Date | Kickoff (CT) | Match # | Stage | Teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jun 14 | 3:00 PM | #11 | Group F | Netherlands vs. Japan | Dutch Oranje sea; famously organized Japanese fans |
| Wed, Jun 17 | 3:00 PM | #22 | Group L | England vs. Croatia | 2018 semifinal rematch — guaranteed sell-out |
| Mon, Jun 22 | 12:00 PM | #43 | Group J | Argentina vs. Austria | Defending champs; Messi farewell; Austrian search spike |
| Thu, Jun 25 | 6:00 PM | #57 | Group F | Japan vs. Sweden | Sweden confirmed — won UEFA Play-off Path B vs Poland, Mar 2026 |
| Sat, Jun 27 | 9:00 PM | #70 | Group J | Jordan vs. Argentina | Prime Saturday night; latest kickoff = biggest transit challenge |
| Tue, Jun 30 | 12:00 PM | #78 | Round of 32 | Runner-up E vs. Runner-up I | First knockout fixture |
| Fri, Jul 3 | 1:00 PM | #88 | Round of 32 | Runner-up D vs. Runner-up G | Second knockout fixture |
| Mon, Jul 6 | 2:00 PM | #93 | Round of 16 | TBD | Knockout intensity |
| Tue, Jul 14 | 2:00 PM | #101 | SEMIFINAL | TBD vs. TBD | Crown jewel. Tickets $420-$3,295+. Global mega-audience. |
All times Central Time. Knockout round matchups TBD based on group results. Schedule subject to FIFA adjustments. Source: FIFA.com
The semifinal on July 14 is the biggest match in Texas — and the second-biggest in the entire World Cup.
Only the Final in New Jersey on July 19 is larger. Semifinal tickets: $420 (Cat 4) to $3,295+ (Cat 1). Secondary market prices will far exceed face value. If you don't have a ticket, the Fair Park Fan Festival and Dallas bars will be electric.
Dallas hosts 9 World Cup matches including the July 14 semifinal. Furnished Apartments Dallas has 2–3BR furnished units across Uptown, Plano, and Richardson — full kitchens, in-unit laundry, month-to-month leases built for matchday families.
Call (469) 306-9811 for availability
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AT&T Stadium is the centerpiece of the Dallas World Cup experience — and one of the most impressive sports venues on Earth. Here's what every visitor needs to know before match day.
Largest venue in the 2026 World Cup. Expanded configuration with temporary seating on the field level.
Retractable roof closed for all matches. ~72°F inside while it's 100°F outside. Bring a light layer.
No cash accepted anywhere in the stadium. Credit, debit, and mobile payments only at all concessions and vendors.
All tickets via FIFA ID app. Download and set up your account before traveling. No paper tickets exist.
Arlington (~400,000 population) is the largest US city with no real mass-transit system. DART rail DOES NOT go to Arlington.
Don't trust any guide that says 'take DART to the stadium.' There's no rail connection. You need a specific plan from the options below — and you need it BEFORE match day.
There is no rail to AT&T Stadium and there will not be one for the tournament. Arlington runs a small on-demand microtransit service and nothing else. Every visitor needs a plan before match day, so here is the honest version, with the numbers Arlington and the regional planners have actually published.
The free charter-bus bridge is the most reliable option. Take the Trinity Railway Express to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, then board one of roughly 125 reserved charter buses that run to "Lot H – the BusHub," about a half-mile walk from the gates. The shuttle is free with a match ticket. The catch most guides miss: the TRE rail leg itself still requires a separate regional day pass of about $9. NCTCOG confirmed the 125-bus figure in its April 2026 public meeting; the City of Arlington confirmed the half-mile walk.
Arlington On-Demand (rebranded from Via Arlington on March 2, 2026) is the city's app-booked microtransit. Fares are distance-based: $3 for 0–4 miles up to $8 for 8+ miles, with a flat $3 to and from the CentrePort TRE station. Weekly and monthly passes were replaced with Ride Credit Bundles. Expect heavy demand and real waits on match days.
Driving means pre-booked parking only. FIFA centralizes AT&T Stadium parking through JustPark — pre-book online, no on-site cash. Reported pricing runs roughly $125–$200 for group-stage matches, $150–$250 for knockouts, about $175 for the semifinal, and up to $500 for oversized vehicles or buses. Match-day road closures cover AT&T Way, Cowboys Way, and portions of Nolan Ryan Expressway.
Rideshare works going in (roughly $25–$45 from Dallas) but punishes you leaving: post-match fares run about $80–$120 to Dallas with 45–90 minute waits. The official pickup zone is the Esports Stadium Arlington lot. Walk a few minutes outside the geofence or wait out the crush at Texas Live! next door and prices ease within two hours.
Every option compared step by step, with a matchday cost calculator: Getting to AT&T Stadium — the complete transit guide → and the Arlington transport cost comparator →
Even if you don't have a match ticket, the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park is the World Cup experience for Dallas. It's free, it's enormous, and it runs nearly the entire tournament.
Critical warning: The Fan Festival is OUTDOORS. In June and July, Dallas temperatures hit 95-100°F. Sunscreen, a hat, and continuous water intake are mandatory — not optional. Fair Park has limited natural shade. Consider the morning/early afternoon matches if you want to avoid peak heat.
Fair Park is the EASY transit destination. DART Green Line takes you directly there — no transfers, no buses, no surge pricing.
If AT&T Stadium is the hard venue to reach, Fair Park is the easy one. Take DART Green Line to Fair Park Station and walk in. This is where most Dallas residents will spend the majority of their World Cup time.
Where you sleep defines the trip, and the core trade-off is simple. Base in Dallas — Downtown, Deep Ellum, or Uptown/Victory Park — for DART rail, the densest dining and nightlife, and a short Green Line ride to the Fan Festival; you reach matches via the free charter-bus bridge or TRE. Base in Arlington only if you are attending three or more matches and want to walk to the gate: there is no rail to Dallas, limited dining beyond Texas Live!, and World Cup hotel rates surge hard — the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's booking-portal checks found Loews Arlington at roughly $1,900–$2,000 a night versus a normal $250–$300. Fort Worth is the value base (about $120–$400) with TRE rail into the metro and the Stockyards for the authentic Texas day. Downtown stays closest to Victory Station and the TRE; Deep Ellum carries the late-night energy; Uptown is the walkable-luxury option.
All 10 neighborhoods — Downtown, Arlington, Deep Ellum, Uptown, Fort Worth, plus Bishop Arts, Design District, Frisco/Plano, Las Colinas, and Grapevine — ranked with specific hotels, price ranges, and a semifinal booking strategy: Where to Stay for the Dallas World Cup → Staying a week or more? Corporate housing near AT&T Stadium → undercuts the nightly hotel surge.
World Cup Hotels Charging $600+/Night?
Furnished Apartments Dallas offers fully furnished apartments in Downtown Dallas and Uptown — near DART, near the Bus Bridge, at a fraction of hotel prices. Kitchens, WiFi, and flexible 1-4 week terms.
The free FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park is the anchor watch venue: 35,000 capacity, every match on giant screens, DART Green Line to the door, June 11 through July 19. For bars, the high-energy hubs are The Londoner in Addison (the DFW soccer institution and English-fan HQ), Happiest Hour in Victory Park, Katy Trail Ice House in Uptown, and Texas Live! directly beside AT&T Stadium for pre-match and overflow crowds. Deep Ellum carries the late-night scene with kitchens running past 2 AM after the 9 PM knockout finishes.
For food, Deep Ellum holds two of the best barbecue rooms in Texas (Terry Black's and Pecan Lodge), Hurtado Barbecue sits ten minutes from the stadium, and the Tex-Mex institutions run from El Fenix (open since 1918) to Mia's. By nationality: English fans head to The Londoner, Argentine fans to Dallas steakhouses and churrascarias, Japanese fans to Uchi and Tei-An, Dutch fans to the Katy Trail Ice House patio. On a rest day, the Fort Worth Stockyards BBQ trail — Goldee's (Texas Monthly's #1), Heim, Panther City, and halal Sabar BBQ — is worth the drive.
Full restaurant and bar guide by neighborhood and nationality, with maps and reservations: Dallas World Cup Restaurants & Bars Guide →
Restaurant or Bar in Dallas?
Get your venue in front of 500,000+ World Cup visitors searching for where to eat and watch matches in DFW.
Dallas in June and July is HOT. But unlike Houston, it's a dry heat — lower humidity, temperatures regularly reaching 95-100°F (35-38°C) with occasional spikes above 105°F. The dry heat is deceptive: sweat evaporates quickly, so you may not realize how much fluid you're losing. Dehydration risk is actually higher in Dallas than in humid Houston because your body's warning signs (visible sweat, feeling clammy) get muted.
Dallas dry heat is deceptive — dehydration risk is HIGHER because you don't realize how much you're sweating.
Drink water before you feel thirsty. At the outdoor Fan Festival, plan 16 oz every 30 minutes. Inside AT&T Stadium, the AC keeps it 72°F.
If you are traveling to Dallas from outside the United States, here is the legal and practical information you need to know.
Dallas offers a wider budget range than most host cities. The "Arlington Premium" — rideshare surge, parking fees, and stadium proximity hotel pricing — is the wildcard that can blow up a budget if you do not plan for it.
| Stage | Cat 4 (Supporter) | Cat 3 | Cat 2 | Cat 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | $60 | $120 | $220 | $400 |
| Round of 32 | $80 | $175 | $325 | $600 |
| Round of 16 | $110 | $250 | $475 | $900 |
| SEMIFINAL | $420 | $950 | $1,800 | $3,295+ |
Prices are face value from FIFA Ticketing. Secondary market prices for high-demand matches (England, Argentina, semifinal) will be 2-5x these figures.
Something different now? Let us know| Category | Budget ($100-175/day) | Mid-Range ($200-400/day) | Premium ($500+/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | Hostel/Airbnb ($50-80) | Hotel Downtown ($150-250) | Luxury hotel / FAD apartment ($300+) |
| Food | Tacos, BBQ lines ($25-40) | Sit-down restaurants ($50-80) | Upscale dining ($100-200) |
| Transit to Stadium | TRE + free charter bus (~$9 TRE pass) | Arlington On-Demand ($3-8) | Private car ($95-250) |
| Arlington Premium | ~$9 TRE day pass | JustPark parking $125-500 | Rideshare surge $80-120 |
| Drinks | Happy hour ($15-25) | Bars + stadium ($40-70) | Bottle service ($200+) |
The Arlington Premium explained: If you drive, FIFA JustPark parking runs $125–$500 per match. If you take rideshare back, post-match fares add roughly $80–$120. The free charter-bus bridge from the TRE is the budget option — the only cost is the ~$9 TRE regional day pass — and it is also the most reliable.
Day 1: Arrive + Deep Ellum Exploration
Arrive at DFW Airport, take DART Orange Line to Downtown Dallas. Check in to your hotel or furnished apartment. Walk to Deep Ellum for your first Texas BBQ experience — Pecan Lodge or Terry Black's (arrive before 11 AM for shorter lines). Explore the street art murals along Main Street. Evening: bar hop through Deep Ellum's live music venues. End at Armoury D.E. for serious cocktails.
Day 2: Match Day — Full Arlington Logistics
Morning: Light breakfast, hydrate aggressively, charge your phone to 100%. Download GoPass and FIFA ID apps. 11 AM: Take DART to Victory Station. 11:30 AM: Board Bus Bridge to AT&T Stadium. Noon: Arrive Lot H, clear security (allow 60-90 min). Watch match in air-conditioned 80,000-seat venue. Post-match: Queue for Bus Bridge return at Lot H or walk to Texas Live! for 1-2 hours to let the crowd clear. Return to Dallas by 8-9 PM. Celebrate in Uptown or Deep Ellum.
Day 3: Fort Worth Stockyards + BBQ
Take TRE from Union Station to Fort Worth (35 min). Uber to the Stockyards. Watch the daily cattle drive (11:30 AM and 4 PM). Explore Mule Alley shops. Lunch at Heim Barbecue (bacon burnt ends). Tour Billy Bob's Texas — the world's largest honky-tonk. If time allows, visit the Kimbell Art Museum (one of the best small art museums in the US). TRE back to Dallas for evening.
Day 4: Fair Park Fan Festival + Sixth Floor Museum
Morning: DART Green Line to Fair Park Station. Spend 3-4 hours at the FIFA Fan Festival — watch morning matches on giant screens, play on the mini-pitch, explore cultural showcases, eat from international food vendors (free admission). Afternoon: DART back to Downtown. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (JFK assassination history — book tickets online). Late afternoon: NorthPark Center for air-conditioned shopping. Farewell dinner at Bob's Steak & Chop House or Mar y Sol.
Dallas is hosting 9 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — more than any other host city in the tournament. The matches span from June 14 through July 14 and include group stage fixtures, Round of 32, Round of 16, and a semifinal. AT&T Stadium will operate under the FIFA name "Dallas Stadium" and seat approximately 80,000+ fans per match.
Dallas hosts Netherlands vs. Japan (Jun 14), England vs. Croatia (Jun 17), Argentina vs. Austria (Jun 22), Japan vs. Sweden (Jun 25, 6pm CT), Jordan vs. Argentina (Jun 27), two Round of 32 matches (Jun 30, Jul 3), a Round of 16 match (Jul 6), and the semifinal (Jul 14). The England vs. Croatia and Argentina matches are expected to be the highest-demand group stage tickets in the entire tournament.
The Dallas semifinal is on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT at AT&T Stadium. This is the biggest single match in Texas during the tournament and the second-most-important match in the entire World Cup behind only the Final in New Jersey on July 19. Ticket prices range from $420 (Category 4) to $3,295+ (Category 1), with secondary market prices expected to far exceed face value.
The official FIFA Fan Festival is at Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave, Dallas — the historic Art Deco complex that hosts the Texas State Fair. The site spans approximately 1 million square feet with the Pavilion (20,000 capacity) and Lots 9/10 (15,000 capacity) accommodating 35,000 fans simultaneously. It is directly accessible via the DART Green Line at Fair Park Station.
Yes, the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park is completely free to attend. It operates on all 34 match days during the tournament, opening one hour before the first match of the day and closing one hour after the final whistle. Special ticketed concerts and premium experiences are available separately, but general admission — including live match screenings, mini-pitches, and cultural showcases — is free.
There is no direct rail to AT&T Stadium. The most reliable option is the free charter-bus bridge: ride the Trinity Railway Express to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station (a separate regional day pass of about $9) where roughly 125 reserved charter buses run to a bus hub about a half-mile from the gates, free with a match ticket. Other options are Arlington On-Demand microtransit ($3 for 0–4 miles up to $8 for 8+ miles, flat $3 to/from CentrePort), pre-booked FIFA JustPark parking ($125–$500, no on-site cash), or rideshare ($80–$120 with severe post-match surge). Plan 2+ hours for post-match departure regardless of method.
No. DART rail does not extend to Arlington. Arlington (~400,000 population) is the largest US city without comprehensive mass transit. Do not trust any guide that suggests taking DART directly to the stadium. DART will operate a special Bus Bridge service from Victory Station in Downtown Dallas to AT&T Stadium on match days, but this is a bus — not rail. The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) gets you to CentrePort Station, still 8 miles from the stadium, requiring a shuttle transfer.
The primary World Cup bus bridge runs from the TRE CentrePort/DFW Airport Station: roughly 125 reserved charter buses shuttle fans to "Lot H – the BusHub" about a half-mile from the gates, free with a match ticket (the TRE rail leg still needs a separate ~$9 regional day pass). DART also funds a parallel express-bus route of about 50 buses from Victory Station in Downtown Dallas via I-30 managed lanes. Download the GoPass app for real-time tracking. The charter-bus bridge is the most reliable car-free option and avoids post-match rideshare surge.
FIFA centralizes AT&T Stadium parking through JustPark — pre-book online, no on-site cash. Reported pricing runs roughly $125–$200 for group-stage matches, $150–$250 for knockouts, about $175 for the semifinal, and up to $500 for oversized vehicles or buses. The stadium has about 12,000 on-site spaces across 15 numbered lots; surrounding street parking is nonexistent. Match-day closures cover AT&T Way, Cowboys Way, and portions of Nolan Ryan Expressway. Arrive at least 3 hours before kickoff and expect 60–90+ minutes to clear the lots afterward.
It depends on your priorities. Stay in Dallas (Downtown, Uptown, Deep Ellum) if you want DART access to the Fan Festival, nightlife, restaurants, and cultural attractions — you will use the Bus Bridge or TRE+shuttle to reach matches. Stay in Arlington if you are attending multiple matches and want walking distance to AT&T Stadium — but understand that Arlington has limited dining, nightlife, and no rail transit to Dallas. Most international visitors will have a better overall experience staying in Dallas.
Downtown Dallas is the best all-around choice: it is the DART and TRE hub, the Bus Bridge departs from Victory Station, Fair Park Fan Festival is a short DART Green Line ride away, and you have access to Deep Ellum nightlife on foot. Uptown/Victory Park is a close second for visitors wanting walkable luxury dining. Arlington Entertainment District is best only for fans attending 3+ matches who prioritize stadium proximity over everything else.
Dallas averages 95-100°F (35-38°C) in June and July with occasional days above 105°F. Unlike Houston, Dallas heat is dry rather than humid, but this means dehydration risk is actually higher because sweat evaporates faster and you may not realize how much fluid you are losing. The Fan Festival at Fair Park is outdoors — bring sunscreen, a hat, and drink water continuously. AT&T Stadium is fully air-conditioned with the retractable roof closed for all matches.
No. Marijuana remains fully illegal in Texas for recreational use. Possession of even small amounts is a criminal offense that can result in arrest, fines, and jail time. This applies regardless of whether it is legal in your home country or US state. Texas law enforcement will be present in significant numbers during the World Cup. International visitors should be aware that a drug arrest can affect future US visa applications.
The legal drinking age in Texas is 21 with valid government-issued photo ID. This is strictly enforced at AT&T Stadium, the Fan Festival, and all bars and restaurants. International visitors must carry a passport or passport card as proof of age. Texas also has open container laws — no drinking alcohol in public spaces, on sidewalks, or in vehicles outside of designated areas.
The FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park is the premier free viewing destination, screening all 104 matches on giant LED displays with capacity for 35,000 fans. Beyond Fair Park, top soccer bars include The Londoner Pub in Addison (English football culture), Happiest Hour in Victory Park (massive outdoor screen), Katy Trail Ice House in Uptown, and Christie's Sports Bar on Lower Greenville. In Arlington, Texas Live! adjacent to AT&T Stadium will host overflow watch parties.
Dedicated guides for the biggest fan bases heading to Dallas — where to eat, drink, watch, and celebrate with your fellow supporters.
Defending champions, asado restaurants, La Albiceleste watch parties, and supporter meetups in DFW.
Three Lions in Texas, British pubs, 2018 rematch buzz, The Londoner, and supporter HQ guide.
Samurai Blue supporters, Japanese restaurants, stadium-cleaning tradition, and cultural hotspots in DFW.
Oranje plays Japan at AT&T Stadium on June 14 — the full Dutch supporter guide is hosted on the Houston hub because Netherlands also plays NRG.
Step-by-step Bus Bridge, TRE, rideshare, and parking guide with maps
All 10 neighborhoods ranked for World Cup visitors
Soccer bars, BBQ, Tex-Mex, and dining by fan nationality
Weather, safety, cash vs card, tipping, and June heat prep
Complete neighborhood guide for Dallas-Fort Worth
Fell in love with Dallas? Here's your relocation guide.
Free apartment locator services in DFW
Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars, Rangers & FC Dallas
Where to drink and celebrate after matches
Long-form neighborhood ranking — Arlington vs Downtown vs Fort Worth vs Uptown vs Deep Ellum for AT&T Stadium access
Furnished Apartments for World Cup Visitors
Skip the hotel price gouging. Furnished Apartments Dallas offers fully furnished apartments with kitchens, WiFi, and flexible 1-4 week terms near DART. Downtown Dallas, Uptown, and Victory Park locations — steps from the Bus Bridge, steps from everything.
AT&T Stadium parking runs $125–$250 standard and up to $500 oversized via FIFA JustPark, pre-book only. Furnished Apartments Dallas locations sit near DART rail so you ride to the bus bridge instead of paying to park and sitting in the post-match crush.
Call (469) 306-9811 for availability
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Reviewed by RelocateMeTX Editorial Team
Content verified March 2026. Relocation information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice.
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