Dallas World Cup 2026 Travel Guide

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the busiest airports in the world, centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth. It's about 20 miles from AT&T Stadium in Arlington. American Airlines uses DFW as its primary hub with flights to virtually everywhere.

Dallas Love Field (DAL) is closer to downtown Dallas and is Southwest Airlines' hub. It's about 25 miles from AT&T Stadium.

From DFW, the DART Orange Line runs to downtown Dallas ($3, 50 minutes). Taxis to downtown Dallas cost $45-60; to Arlington/AT&T Stadium $50-70. Rideshares run similarly.

Driving from Houston (4 hours on I-45), Austin (3 hours on I-35), or San Antonio (4.5 hours on I-35) is straightforward on Texas highways.

The DFW metroplex is designed around the automobile. DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) covers Dallas proper with light rail and buses, but crucially, Arlington has no public transit connection to Dallas. This is the biggest challenge for World Cup visitors.

Getting from Dallas to AT&T Stadium in Arlington requires either a car, rideshare ($25-40), or match-day shuttle buses (details TBD). The drive is about 20 miles and takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic.

Within Dallas, the DART light rail is decent for getting between downtown, Uptown, the Arts District, and Deep Ellum. A day pass is $6.

Renting a car is strongly recommended in DFW. Texas highways are wide and parking is generally plentiful and cheap (except at the stadium on match days). Gas prices are among the lowest in the US.

Rideshare is widely available but distances between points of interest mean costs add up quickly.

The key decision: stay in Dallas for nightlife and culture, or in Arlington for stadium convenience.

Downtown Dallas — the central business district has hotels at various price points. Good DART access, walkable to restaurants and bars. Hotels $120-250/night.

Uptown / Knox-Henderson — Dallas's most walkable neighbourhood with a strip of restaurants, bars, and boutique hotels along McKinney Avenue. Slightly more expensive but the best base for nightlife. Hotels $150-300/night.

Deep Ellum — Dallas's live music and arts district. Gritty, authentic, with excellent bars and street art. Limited hotels but strong Airbnb scene. Walking distance from downtown DART stations.

Arlington — suburban but practical for multiple matches. Hotels near AT&T Stadium and the adjacent entertainment district (Globe Life Field, Six Flags). Hotels $100-180/night. You'll need a car for everything else.

Fort Worth — the "Western" half of DFW with the Stockyards, excellent museums, and a more laid-back vibe than Dallas. About 25 miles from AT&T Stadium. Hotels $100-200/night.

Texas is BBQ country, and DFW delivers. But there's far more to the food scene than smoked meat.

Pecan Lodge (Deep Ellum) is Dallas's most celebrated BBQ joint. The beef rib is legendary — a single bone weighs over a pound. Arrive before 11am on weekends or face a serious queue.

Terry Black's BBQ (Deep Ellum) is the Austin transplant that's taken Dallas by storm. Brisket and sausage in a no-frills atmosphere.

Tex-Mex: Mi Cocina (multiple locations) does upscale Tex-Mex with the famous Mambo Taxi margarita. For street-style, Fuel City Tacos (an actual gas station) serves some of DFW's best tacos at 2am.

Chicken-fried steak is a Texas institution — AllGood Café in Deep Ellum does a massive one. Norma's Café (multiple) is the classic diner version.

Uptown dining: Town Hearth is a Texas-sized steakhouse experience. Uchi Dallas brings refined Japanese cuisine to McKinney Avenue.

For pre-match fuel near the stadium, Hurtado BBQ in Arlington is an exceptional newer spot. Texas Live! entertainment complex next to AT&T Stadium has multiple restaurants and bars.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington is one of the world's most impressive sporting venues. The retractable roof will likely be closed and air-conditioned for World Cup matches — a huge advantage in July Texas heat (35°C+/95°F+).

Getting there: Match-day shuttle buses from Dallas DART stations and designated parking areas will be the primary transit option. If driving, lots open 4 hours before kickoff ($40-75). The stadium is at the intersection of I-30 and State Highway 360.

The stadium: 80,000 capacity with a massive 160x72-foot video board suspended from the ceiling. Seats are close to the pitch for a retractable-roof venue. The stadium allows one clear bag plus a small clutch. Mobile tickets only.

Tailgating is a Texas tradition. Parking lots around AT&T Stadium become massive tailgate parties before matches. Bring a cooler, a grill, and make friends. This is an experience unique to American sports culture.

After the match: 80,000 people leaving simultaneously in a car-centric area means gridlock. Budget 60-90 minutes to clear the parking area. Texas Live! next door absorbs some of the crowd. Rideshare surge pricing will be significant.

Check Dallas match schedule for all 9 fixtures.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza tells the story of the JFK assassination — a sobering, must-visit historical site. The Dallas Arts District is the largest urban arts district in the US, with the Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Museum of Art (free).

In Fort Worth, the Stockyards National Historic District offers daily cattle drives, honky-tonk bars, and authentic Western culture. Billy Bob's Texas is the world's largest honky-tonk.

Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is right next door to AT&T Stadium for a theme park day. The Fort Worth Zoo is consistently rated among America's best.

The Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff, south of downtown Dallas, has galleries, boutiques, and excellent restaurants in a walkable setting.

DFW is one of the most affordable World Cup host cities. Hotels, food, and gas are all significantly cheaper than coastal cities. BBQ is great value — $15-20 for a huge platter.

AT&T Stadium's surrounding entertainment district — including Texas Live!, Globe Life Field, and Esports Stadium Arlington — will be a natural fan zone hub. Expect official FIFA activations in this precinct.

For independent viewing, Deep Ellum in Dallas has dozens of bars with big screens. The Nodding Donkey (Uptown) is a popular sports bar. Check Dallas fan zones for the latest venues.