Dallas World Cup 2026 Match Day Guide

AT&T Stadium in Arlington is one of the most impressive venues in the tournament — retractable roof, 80,000 capacity, the largest center-hung video board ever built. Getting there and back without losing two hours requires a plan. This guide covers everything from the moment you leave your hotel to the final whistle.

The single most important thing to know: AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, Texas — 20 miles from downtown Dallas, 15 miles from downtown Fort Worth. Arlington has no light rail, no commuter rail, and no direct public transit link to either city. Every fan gets there by rideshare, car, or shuttle. Plan accordingly.

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Dallas Match Schedule

AT&T Stadium hosts 9 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches — more than any other venue in the tournament. All times are Central Time (CT).

| Date | Kick-off | Match | Stage | |------|----------|-------|-------| | Sun 14 Jun | 15:00 CT | Netherlands vs Japan | Group F | | Tue 17 Jun | 15:00 CT | England vs Croatia | Group L | | Mon 22 Jun | 12:00 CT | Argentina vs Austria | Group J | | Thu 25 Jun | 18:00 CT | Japan vs TBD | Group F | | Sat 27 Jun | 21:00 CT | Jordan vs Argentina | Group J | | Tue 30 Jun | 13:00 CT | TBD vs TBD | Round of 32 | | Fri 3 Jul | 13:00 CT | TBD vs TBD | Round of 32 | | Mon 6 Jul | 15:00 CT | TBD vs TBD | Round of 16 | | Tue 14 Jul | 15:00 CT | TBD vs TBD | Semifinal |

Source: FIFA.com official match schedule. Knockout stage opponents confirmed as the group stage concludes.

The England vs Croatia (Jun 17) and Argentina double-header (Jun 22 + Jun 27) will draw the largest international crowds. Expect significantly heavier traffic and rideshare surges on those dates specifically.

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Getting There

Option 1 — Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)

The default choice for most fans. No parking stress, door-to-stadium.

Pre-match: From downtown Dallas expect $25–$45. From Fort Worth, $20–$35. From DFW Airport, $35–$55. These are normal-day estimates — match day prices will be higher.

Post-match: This is where fans get caught out. When 80,000 people request rideshares simultaneously, surge pricing is severe. Post-match fares from the stadium to downtown Dallas can reach $70–$120 on high-profile match days.

The fix: Schedule your return ride 30 minutes before full-time using the Uber or Lyft scheduled ride feature. Lock in pre-surge pricing before the final whistle. Alternatively, walk 10–15 minutes from the stadium before opening the app — distance from the epicentre reduces surge significantly.

Option 2 — Drive and Park

AT&T Stadium has extensive parking infrastructure — it was built for NFL gamedays with 12,000+ spaces across surrounding lots.

• Official lots open: 4 hours before kickoff
• Cost: $25–$50 depending on lot proximity — check current rates at attstadium.com
• Tailgating: Permitted in most lots. Arriving 2–3 hours early is part of the local culture — use it.
• Exit strategy: After the match, road exits are managed and slow. Budget 45–75 minutes to clear the immediate area on major match days.

Parking prices and availability for World Cup matches will be managed by FIFA and AT&T Stadium. Check attstadium.com closer to your match date for confirmed World Cup rates.

Option 3 — From Fort Worth

Fort Worth is closer to AT&T Stadium than Dallas (15 miles vs 20 miles) and a smart base for budget-conscious fans. Trinity Metro's TEXRail runs from downtown Fort Worth's T&P Station to DFW Airport — it does not serve Arlington directly — but rideshare from Fort Worth to the stadium is shorter and cheaper than from Dallas. See TEXRail routes at trinityrailexpress.com.

Option 4 — From DFW Airport

DFW Airport is approximately 20 miles from AT&T Stadium. Rideshare is the practical choice — budget $35–$55 each way. Allow extra time on match days.

What doesn't work: DART light rail connects downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum, and the Arts District — but does not reach Arlington. Do not rely on it for stadium access. Confirm DART routes at dart.org.

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Parking Strategy by Match Type

| Match | Expected crowd | Arrive by | Notes | |-------|---------------|-----------|-------| | Group stage (smaller) | 60,000–70,000 | 90 min early | Manageable traffic | | England vs Croatia (Jun 17) | 80,000 | 2 hours early | Heavy UK/European crowd | | Argentina matches (Jun 22, Jun 27) | 80,000 | 2 hours early | Largest Latin American turnout | | Semifinal (Jul 14) | 80,000 | 2.5 hours early | Peak tournament traffic |

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Arrival & Security

Gates open: Typically 2.5 hours before kickoff for World Cup matches — confirm on your match ticket or at attstadium.com.

Security lines: Peak at 60–90 minutes before kickoff. Arriving when gates first open means walking straight in. Arriving 30 minutes before kickoff means a long queue in Texas heat.

Bag policy: AT&T Stadium uses the NFL Clear Bag Policy. Allowed bags:

• Clear plastic tote up to 12" × 6" × 12"
• One-gallon clear resealable bag (Ziploc)
• Small non-clear clutch up to 4.5" × 6.5"

Standard backpacks, purses, and camera bags are not permitted. See our full stadium bag policy guide for details, including what to do if you arrive with the wrong bag.

Heat: Dallas in June and July averages 35–38°C (95–100°F). AT&T Stadium's retractable roof means the interior is climate-controlled regardless of outside temperature — but the walk from parking or your rideshare dropoff is fully exposed. Light clothing, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are match-day essentials. Water fountains are available inside; empty refillable bottles are permitted through security.

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Inside AT&T Stadium

The roof: AT&T Stadium's retractable roof keeps the interior climate-controlled for all weather. No sun, no rain problems. — Roof details at attstadium.com.

The video board: The center-hung board is 160 feet wide and 72 feet tall — visible from every seat in the building. You will not miss a replay.

Concessions: Expect stadium pricing. Cash and cards accepted. Lines are longest at kickoff and half-time — shop early or during play. Texas-style food (brisket, pulled pork) is available alongside standard stadium fare.

Medical: First aid stations are located on every concourse level. See AT&T Stadium accessibility and services.

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After the Match

The area around AT&T Stadium empties slowly after a full-capacity match. Have a plan before the final whistle:

1. Rideshare users: Request your ride before full-time or walk away from the stadium 10–15 minutes before requesting, to avoid the worst of the surge zone.
2. Drivers: Lots are managed on exit — follow staff directions. The first 20–30 minutes post-match are the worst; waiting 45 minutes inside the stadium for the crowd to thin is often faster overall.
3. Post-match food: The nearest concentrated dining is in Arlington's Entertainment District adjacent to the stadium (Rangers' Globe Life Field area). For the full Dallas experience, head to Deep Ellum — 30 minutes by rideshare, and the best post-match atmosphere in the city.

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Book Your Hotel Near AT&T Stadium

Best areas to stay for Dallas matches:

| Area | Distance to Stadium | Why choose it | |------|-------------------|---------------| | Arlington (Globe Life area) | 5–10 min walk/drive | Closest. Limited walkable dining. | | Fort Worth (downtown) | 20 min rideshare | Better value, genuine city experience | | Dallas (downtown) | 25–30 min rideshare | Most hotels, best nightlife after matches |

Prices are approximate. World Cup match dates will command significant premiums over normal rates — book as early as possible, preferably refundable so you can cancel if plans change.

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Why insurance matters for Dallas specifically: Non-refundable match tickets combined with US medical costs make travel insurance particularly important. A single emergency room visit in the USA costs $1,500–$5,000 without coverage. Compare plans on our insurance page →

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Practical Details

Time zone: Central Daylight Time (UTC-5). All kick-off times above are in local Dallas time.

Currency: USD. Tipping is standard at 18–20% in restaurants and bars. Cards accepted everywhere; cash rarely needed.

Emergency number: 911 (police, fire, ambulance). AT&T Stadium security: contact staff at any gate or concourse station.

Nearest hospitals to AT&T Stadium:

• Medical City Arlington — 3601 W Randol Mill Rd, Arlington (2 miles from stadium)
• Texas Health Arlington Memorial — 800 W Randol Mill Rd, Arlington (2 miles from stadium)

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Sources & Verification

All match data and stadium information is sourced from official sources. Prices and operational details (parking rates, gate times) are subject to change — verify directly before your match date.

| Source | What it covers | Link | |--------|---------------|------| | FIFA.com | Official match schedule, dates, kick-off times | fifa.com/worldcup | | AT&T Stadium | Parking, gates, bag policy, stadium services | attstadium.com | | DART | Dallas light rail routes (confirms no Arlington service) | dart.org | | Trinity Metro / TEXRail | Fort Worth–DFW rail service | trinityrailexpress.com | | Medical City Arlington | Nearest hospital to AT&T Stadium | medicalcityarlington.com |

WorldCupTourism.com is an independent travel information site. We are not affiliated with FIFA, AT&T Stadium, or any transport provider. Prices, schedules, and operational details are subject to change — always verify with official sources before your match date. Some links on this page are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.