Over the course of 11 weeks, SportsTravel is delving into each of the 11 U.S. cities that will host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the largest edition ever of the event after it was expanded 70 48 teams from 32. It will also be the first to be staged in three countries — Canada, Mexico and the United States — with 16 host cities in total.
Up next in our series: Dallas, Texas, which will host World Cup matches for the second time after previously hosting in 1994, when the event was solely in the United States. Located in the northern region of Texas, it is the ninth-most populous city in the country and third-most populous in the state, with a population of 1.3 million as per the 2020 census. Along with the city of Forth Worth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the region has hosted major sporting events such as Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship and the 2018 NFL draft, prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
[Editor’s Note: Click here to read our past features on Philadelphia, Kansas City and Houston]
[For the full list of confirmed base camps so far, click here.]
Stadium
Stadium: AT&T Stadium / Dallas Stadium
Capacity: 94,000
Opened: 2009
Previous WC Hosting Experience: 1994 (Cotton Bowl Stadium)
Games: Nine matches:
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Netherlands v Japan | Group F | Sunday, June 14
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England v Croatia | Group L | Wednesday, June 17
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Argentina v Austria | Group J | Monday, June 22
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Japan v Poland/Sweden | Group F | Thursday, June 25
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Jordan v Argentina | Group J | Saturday, June 27
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Match 78 | Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30
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Match 88 | Round of 32 | Friday, July 3
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Match 93 | Round of 16 | Monday, July 6
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Match 101 | Semi-final | Tuesday, July 14
Location
Completed in 2009 at a cost of $1.3 billion (despite original estimates of $650 million), AT&T Stadium is one of the most expensive sports venues ever to be built. The retractable roof stadium in Arlington, Texas, is commonly referred to as Jerry World (after Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones) but will be known simply as Dallas Stadium during this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Seating around 94,000 fans for the tournament, the stadium can be reconfigured to hold more than 100,000 people, making it the largest venue in the NFL by seating capacity. It is currently the home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys, having replaced the former Texas Stadium, and also hosts the Cotton Bowl Classic, the Big 12 Championship Game and the Southwest Classic.
Owned by the city of Arlington, the AT&T Stadium has also been used for concerts, basketball games, college and high-school competitions, rodeos, motocross, Spartan Races and professional wrestling. Its twin video boards are said to be among the top 100 largest high-definition video screens in the world.
Team Base Camps
Although none of the 42 teams that qualified directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup chose Dallas as a base camp, it has been confirmed by FIFA that two UEFA Play-Off path winners from Europe will use its selected team base camp training sites in North Texas during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The two men’s national soccer teams, which will be confirmed after winning their intercontinental play-offs at the end of this month, will train at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco and Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield after they were announced as official team base camp training sites by FIFA and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee.
Home to Major League Soccer franchise FC Dallas, FC Dallas Stadium (also known as Toyota Stadium) is a 145-acre soccer-specific complex that features 17 tournament-grade fields. The site is currently undergoing a $200 million modernization renovation ahead of the 2028 MLS season, as part of a collaboration between Hunt Sports Management and the City of Frisco.
The stadium will host the winner of UEFA Play-Off Path B, which will be either Poland or Sweden.
Meanwhile, multi-use soccer venue Mansfield Stadium (also known as Texas Health Mansfield Stadium) will be the home of North Texas SC, the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of FC Dallas, once it opens as expected in the summer. Operated by REV Entertainment and Hunt Sports, the development on Staybolt Street will also feature housing, retail and entertainment venues, as well as a hotel and conference center.
The stadium will host the winner of UEFA Play-Off Path D, which will be one of Czechia or Denmark.
Fan Experience and Activations
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is overseeing planning for the tournament in the region, which includes managing the International Broadcast Center and the official FIFA Fan Festival.
Its president, Monica Paul, has confirmed that the official FIFA Fan Festival Dallas will be free and open to the public every match day for 34 active days. Taking place at The Pavilion at Fair Park along with Lots 9 and 10 from June 11 to July 19, the Fan Festival will span approximately one million square feet and accommodate around 35,000 attendees at any time.
The Festival will feature large screens broadcasting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, immersive Host City Supporter and FIFA partner activations, a curated food and beverage program highlighting local cuisine and live programming with cultural showcases and concerts, all to be announced at a later date.
Just 10 to 15 minutes away from AT&T Stadium, the city of Grand Prairie will host thoroughbred horse racing and Major League Cricket matches while the World Cup is in town. Lone Star Park will have live horse racing between June 5 and July 12 with a series of promotional days showcasing live music and activities, while Major League Cricket is set to host home matches on June 18 and June 21.
Accommodation Supply
According to AirDNA, the 2026 occupancy rate at the time of the group-stage games in Dallas is up 121 percent compared to 2025 (from 13 percent to 28 percent occupancy), while the impact is slightly more visible in Fort Worth where there has been a 178 percent YoY increase in that time (10 percent to 29 percent).
As the tournament progresses, the occupancy rate is rising 78 percent compared to 2025 (from only 9.4 percent to 16.9 percent occupancy in Dallas during the Round-of-16, while that figure is 91 percent in Fort Worth (from nine percent to 17.2 percent). For the semi-final on July 14, the occupancy rate is up 69 percent in Dallas compared to 2025 (from 8 percent to 13 percent) and 107 percent in Fort Worth, but those numbers may well increase as we get closer to qualifications.
The games in Dallas that are driving the highest year-over-year increase in demand are Argentina vs Austria on June 22 (+242 percent in Dallas and +308 percent in Fort Worth) and Japan vs Netherlands on June 14 (+197 percent in Dallas and +245 percent in Fort Worth).
On pricing, meanwhile, the average booked rate across group-stage dates in Dallas is currently $213, a year-over-year increase of only 23 percent. The average available rate, however, (the price listings are currently marketed at) is sitting at $479, a 144 percent increase compared to 2025.
The chart produced by Key Data above demonstrates that Dallas is seeing one of the largest increases in short-term rental reservations per property (+230 percent) during the World Cup of the 11 U.S. host cities, as well as experiencing the second-highest drop off in length of stay as fans move on to other cities or head home after games. This is a broadly similar picture to what is being seen elsewhere in Texas, in Houston.
On the hotel side, reservations per room are rising steadily at 27 percent but average daily rates are showing a marked YoY increase at 52 percent currently.
Meanwhile, according to CoStar forecasts, the average daily rate in Dallas at the time of the FIFA World Cup is one of the lowest of the 11 U.S. host cities at $145.77. At the same time, though, this would represent a strong 0.129 percent growth in average daily rate YoY percentage change from 2025, which is being boosted by Dallas’ prominent positioning in the tournament’s match schedule and number of games.
Q&A: Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
We are incredibly honored to host a tournament-high nine matches, including a semi-final, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. It is a huge win for Dallas and the entire North Texas region, and continues to build on the fact that our region prides itself on hosting major sporting events on a global scale.
What are the major opportunities the tournament will bring?
Along with the estimated economic impact of $1.5–2.1 billion to our region, we are also excited about what this will do for the legacy of the sport of soccer here in North Texas. We feel that this tournament will continue to spur the interest of youth across the region, and we are doing our part through our Legacy program.
What are some of the logistical / operational challenges that have to be negotiated before and during the tournament?
Hosting the largest sporting event the world definitely has its challenges — especially since this is the first time that the United States has hosted the FIFA World Cup since 1994. But I believe that our North Texas region has always worked well together for these major events across all areas, including safety / security, transportation and overall logistics, and am confident we’ll once again provide a once in a lifetime experience to visitors and locals alike for this.
What kind of welcome can fans expect when they attend World Cup matches in tournaments?
We will rely heavily on our Texas hospitality. That will be something that fans from all over the globe can expect from the minute they touchdown at our airports, to attending matches at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, or enjoying our FIFA Fan Festival Dallas at Fair Park. We pride ourselves on being incredible hosts, and we fully intend to show the world that this summer.
Are you working on any legacy campaigns for after the tournament has ended?
We have started the North Texas Sports Foundation, which leverages major sporting events to create long-term, positive regional impact by serving as the official legacy partner for sports-driven transformation. Through community-driven initiatives that support youth, public spaces and environmental well-being, we will invest in projects that create lasting, visible impact.
Do you expect to confirm any more team base camps in Dallas?
We are so excited that both FC Dallas Stadium and Mansfield Stadium have been selected as Team Base Camps during FIFA World Cup 2026, and know that they will represent our region well this summer. During this Base Camps process, we had multiple facilities and cities across the region that put together worthy proposals to FIFA and the National Teams, and we are honored that not just one, but two sites were chosen here in North Texas.
Anything else we might have missed?
Along with hosting more FIFA World Cup 2026 matches than any other host city, we are also very proud that Dallas will once again host the prestigious International Broadcast Center (IBC). Dallas hosted the IBC in 1994 in Fair Park, and in 2026 the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will be home to 3,500 international journalists and staff were all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be broadcast from Dallas, Texas.
More Local Reaction
Donna Runnels, general manager for the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites in Grand Prairie: “Our hotels are gearing up to welcome the global excitement of FIFA! In partnership with local tourism organizations, we’re ensuring our teams, services, and facilities are ready to provide an exceptional experience for visitors from around the world. We can’t wait to showcase our community’s hospitality and make every guest feel at home.”
Dan Hunt, president of FC Dallas and co-chair of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee: “Being selected as Team Base Camp Training Sites reinforces what we’ve believed for a long time – that this region is the epicenter of FIFA World Cup 2026.”
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