The World Cup is here, and Dallas drew one of the deepest hands in the whole tournament. AT&T Stadium in Arlington – branded “Dallas Stadium” for FIFA’s purposes – is hosting nine matches, the most of any venue, running all the way to a semifinal on July 14, 2026. If you don’t have a ticket inside, you have not missed the party: the free FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park runs through mid-July, and watch parties have taken over bars across the metro.
The group stage is winding down and the knockout rounds are the main event from here. This is the guide to what’s left – the matches still to come in Arlington, the free festival downtown-adjacent at Fair Park, and how to actually pull off a World Cup day in a city built for cars.
The matches still to come at AT&T Stadium
Dallas Stadium is hosting nine matches total – five group games, two Round of 32, one Round of 16, and a semifinal. With the group stage nearly done, here is what remains on the Arlington schedule. Knockout matchups are set by results, so the teams for those slots firm up as the bracket fills in. Confirm kickoff times and the latest matchups on the official schedule before you head to Arlington.
| Date | Kickoff (CT) | Round | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, June 25 | 6:00 PM | Group F | Japan vs. Sweden |
| Sat, June 27 | 9:00 PM | Group J | Jordan vs. Argentina |
| Tue, June 30 | 12:00 PM | Round of 32 | TBD |
| Fri, July 3 | 1:00 PM | Round of 32 | TBD |
| Mon, July 6 | 2:00 PM | Round of 16 | TBD |
| Tue, July 14 | 2:00 PM | Semifinal | TBD |
The semifinal is the crown jewel – one of only two in the United States, and the latest-stage match Dallas has ever hosted. If you’re choosing one to chase, that’s the one. Tickets and exact kickoff details live on the official Dallas FWC26 schedule and AT&T Stadium site.
The FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park – free, and the best deal in town
No ticket, no problem. The FIFA Fan Festival has turned Fair Park – the art-deco home of the State Fair of Texas – into a million square feet of World Cup party, and it’s free to get in.
The heart of it is The Pavilion, where roughly 7,000 covered seats and a sweeping grass hillside face giant screens for live match broadcasts and headlining concerts. Between matches there’s food, games, local culture, and the kind of mixed-flag crowd you only get at a World Cup. The official FIFA Fan Festival page for Dallas has the daily programming.
The details that matter:
– Where: Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave, Dallas
– When: running through July 19, closed on tournament rest days (July 8, 12, 13, 16, and 17)
– Cost: free admission
– Best for: every match day, but especially the ones Dallas isn’t hosting in person – this is where you watch the rest of the tournament with a few thousand new friends
Get there early for the marquee matches. “Free and open to all” plus a deep run by a popular national team equals lines, so treat a big match day like you would the State Fair: arrive with margin.
Free fan events around the city
The festival isn’t the only free spectacle. The supporter culture has spilled into the parks, and the standout is the Argentina Banderazo on June 26 at 6 p.m. at Klyde Warren Park – a sea of blue-and-white flags, drums, and singing that is one of the great pre-match traditions in world soccer, win or lose. Keep an eye on our Dallas events calendar for the watch parties, supporter marches, and pop-ups that keep landing as the bracket heats up.
Where to watch around Dallas
If you want the bar energy without the Arlington drive, the metro has leaned all the way in. Soccer-first pubs and the city’s growing roster of supporters’ bars run full-volume watch parties for the big fixtures, and a lot of patios and breweries are pulling the matches up on every screen through July.
For an indoor, air-conditioned option on a brutal afternoon, you have plenty of company – find a Dallas bar or restaurant in our directory showing the matches, and call ahead for the marquee games, because the good spots fill up fast. If the heat wins the day entirely, our guide to indoor things to do in Dallas pairs nicely with a midday kickoff.
Getting to AT&T Stadium for a match
A few honest logistics, because Arlington is its own animal:
- It’s in Arlington, not Dallas proper. Budget 30 to 45 minutes from central Dallas, more on a match day with road closures.
- There is no rail to the stadium. DART doesn’t run to Arlington, so it’s drive-and-park, rideshare, or one of the event shuttles. Confirm official park-and-ride options before the day.
- Security and bag rules are strict for a World Cup. Travel light, expect airport-style screening, and arrive well ahead of kickoff.
- Summer heat is real. Even with a roof and AC inside, the walk in from parking is exposed. Hydrate, and don’t park your tailgate plans on shade that isn’t there.
Make a full day of it
A World Cup in your backyard is a once-in-a-generation thing – Dallas won’t host a semifinal again for a long time. Whether you’re inside AT&T Stadium, posted up at Fair Park, or claiming a bar stool with a view of the screen, our events calendar keeps the watch parties and fan events current, and the Dallas things-to-do guide covers what to do with the hours between matches.
FAQ
How many World Cup matches is Dallas hosting in 2026?
AT&T Stadium in Arlington (branded Dallas Stadium for the tournament) is hosting nine matches – the most of any 2026 venue – including five group-stage games, two Round of 32 matches, one Round of 16 match, and a semifinal on July 14.
Where is the World Cup played in Dallas?
Matches are at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is referred to as “Dallas Stadium” in official FIFA materials, but the venue itself is the Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington.
Is the Dallas FIFA Fan Festival free?
Yes. The FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park is free and open to all, running through July 19 with closures on tournament rest days. It features live match broadcasts on giant screens, concerts, food, and fan activities.
Where can I watch the World Cup in Dallas without a ticket?
The free Fan Festival at Fair Park is the marquee option, with thousands of seats and big screens. Beyond that, soccer bars and restaurants across the metro run watch parties – check our directory and events calendar and call ahead for the biggest matches.
How do I get to AT&T Stadium for a World Cup match?
The stadium is in Arlington, roughly 30 to 45 minutes from central Dallas. There’s no DART rail to Arlington, so plan on driving, rideshare, or an official shuttle, and arrive early for security screening.
