Written from the inside by a longtime local: where to stay, how to survive match day in Arlington, and what Dallas actually feels like in June.
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This Dallas World Cup 2026 guide is the version I wish every visitor had in their pocket—because I’ve lived here long enough to watch the Metroplex reinvent itself a dozen times, and the one thing that never changes is this: Dallas is easy when you understand the geography, and punishing when you don’t.
First, the truth (said kindly): your match isn’t really “in Dallas.” The World Cup venue is AT&T Stadium in Arlington, planted between Dallas and Fort Worth like a giant chrome spaceship. It’s spectacular. It’s also the reason so many visitors overpay, over-walk, and overheat.
If you do it right, Dallas gives you three trips in one: glossy city energy (Uptown + the Arts District), gritty-good nightlife (Deep Ellum + Cedars), and the Texas postcard people secretly want (Fort Worth Stockyards). If you do it wrong? You’ll spend your evenings in a chain-restaurant parking lot, arguing with an Uber driver about which “service road” is the correct one.
Where are matches? Arlington (AT&T Stadium), not Downtown Dallas.
Best place to stay? Uptown for convenience + polish, Deep Ellum for nightlife, Bishop Arts for charm.
Cheapest airport ride? DART Orange Line from DFW to Downtown.
Best match-day transport? Official shuttles (when offered) or pre-paid parking + early arrival.
Biggest risk? Heat + sprawl. Plan mornings, rest afternoons, stadium at night.
Local secret? Treat Arlington as match-day only; sleep in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Uptown/Downtown for first-time visitors, Deep Ellum for nightlife, Fort Worth for cowboy culture, Arlington only for pure stadium convenience.
Dallas has transit inside Dallas. Arlington doesn’t. Match day is shuttle, rideshare, or a car with a plan.
Dallas/Fort Worth normal highs run ~91.5°F in June and ~95.6°F in July. Outside is the challenge; the stadium is icy A/C.
Most visitors either enter via ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a B-2 tourist visa. World Cup summer is peak travel, and appointment backlogs are real. Apply early, then screenshot every confirmation like your life depends on it.
Book flights to DFW or DAL. Secure rental cars early as inventory will be tight. Choose your base: Dallas, Fort Worth, or Arlington.
Confirm match tickets. Reserve tables at top BBQ spots like Terry Black's or Pecan Lodge (lines are long).
Lock in eSIMs. Plan your stadium transport strategy (shuttle vs parking pass). Check the weather forecast.
AT&T Stadium: The world's largest column-free interior and the massive 'Jerrytron' video board.
Owner Jerry Jones built this stadium to be a spectacle, and it succeeds. The defining feature is the video board, which stretches 60 yards from 20-yard line to 20-yard line. It is so massive that punters sometimes hit it. With a capacity of 80,000+ (expandable to 100,000+), it is a fortress of noise and scale.
Want the deep dive (entries, parking, seating angles, and pre/post-match options)? Use our dedicated stadium guide: AT&T Stadium World Cup 2026.
Getting There: The stadium is in Arlington, 20 miles from Dallas. There is NO train. You must drive, shuttle, or rideshare. Plan for traffic.
Dallas is a sprawl city. The trick is to cluster your days so you’re not zig-zagging from Deep Ellum to the Stockyards to Arlington like it’s a casual stroll. Here are three plug-and-play plans that work for most World Cup trips.
If your match is at night, protect your afternoon like it’s a ticket: late lunch, cold shower, short nap, then head out. Dallas summer isn’t “walk around all day” weather.
Arrive 3-4 hours early. Tailgating is a religion here. The parking lots are a party zone.
Strict clear bag policy. NFL rules apply. Bring minimal items to speed up entry.
Traffic leaving the stadium is legendary. Wait it out at a nearby bar (Texas Live!) or be patient.
The safest way to buy tickets is through the official FIFA portal. Registration typically opens 12-18 months before the tournament.
FIFA Official SiteMissed the draw? Trusted resale platforms offer verified tickets, though prices will be higher for high-demand matches like the Semi-Final.
Check SeatGeekIf you want fewer logistics and more comfort, look for official hospitality and premium package options as they’re released. Avoid random “VIP” sellers you’ve never heard of.
Check Official HospitalityBecause the stadium is in Arlington (the middle of nowhere), you have three choices: Downtown Dallas (city vibe, long drive), Fort Worth (cowboy culture, medium drive), or Arlington (convenience, zero culture).
0.2 miles to Stadium
1.1 miles to Stadium
1.8 miles to Stadium
Here’s the local truth: Dallas is a collection of micro-cities. Pick your neighborhood like you’d pick your seat—because it decides your vibe, your food, your walkability, and how much you’ll spend on rides.
Polished, walkable-ish, easy logistics
Best for: Hotels, Dining, Quick access to downtown sights
Avoid if: You want grit or late-night music venues
Museums, transit access, business core
Best for: DART connections, Arts District, Daytime exploring
Avoid if: You want a neighborhood feel after 10pm
Bars, live music, late nights
Best for: Concert energy, Street art, Post-match celebrating
Avoid if: You’re a light sleeper
Boutique, local shops, date-night energy
Best for: Food crawl, Relaxed evenings, Walkable blocks
Avoid if: You need fast highway access every day
More family-friendly
More nightlife-heavy
In Dallas, a car is freedom. Roads are wide and parking is plentiful (except at the stadium). Essential for exploring beyond your hotel.
DFW is global and huge. Love Field (DAL) is smaller, closer to downtown, and home to Southwest Airlines.
Arlington is the largest US city without public transit. No trains go to the stadium. Rely on official shuttles or rideshare if you don't drive.
Brisket is king. Try Terry Black's, Pecan Lodge, or Cattleack (lunch only, Thu/Fri). Expect lines.
Cheese enchiladas, fajitas, and frozen margaritas. Try Mariano's (inventor of the frozen margarita machine).
Dallas does high-end steak like nowhere else. Nick & Sam's or Al Biernat's for a splurge.
Dallas and Fort Worth offer two very different experiences. "Dallas" is modern glitz; "Fort Worth" is cowboys and culture.
Dealey Plaza. The site of JFK's assassination. Somber, essential history. Book tickets weeks in advance.
Twice daily cattle drives. Real cowboys, honky-tonks, and Billy Bob's Texas. A must-see.
The music and arts district. Dozens of bars, murals, and live blues/rock venues. Great for nightlife.
The sun is dangerous here. Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and drink water constantly. If you stop sweating, seek medical help.
Texans are friendly, loud, and proud. "Southern Hospitality" is real—strangers will talk to you. Cowboy boots are business attire.
Everything is bigger. Portions, trucks, voices. Embrace the scale.
The NFL team is religion here. The star logo is everywhere.
Standard is 20%. Service industry workers rely on it.
Brutal heat. 95°F+ (35°C+). AC is freezing inside. Bring layers.