FIFA World Cup 2026 travel tips for getting around North Texas – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

As soccer fans from around the world travel to North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, travel might get a little tricky. Here’s everything you need to know about getting around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex between June 11 and July 19 while the tournament is taking place.

Here in North Texas, there are five key locations to know about during the World Cup. FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco and Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield will serve as base camp locations for teams participating in the tournament. Matches will be held at Dallas Stadium, also known as AT&T Stadium, in Arlington. The International Broadcast Center will be located at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas, and the FIFA Fan Festival will be held at Fair Park.

TRANSPORTATION

Most major venues and stadiums in North Texas are located within an easy driving distance. According to FIFA World Cup representatives in Dallas, most destinations are, on average, 25 to 35 miles apart, which typically means a 30- to 45-minute drive in normal traffic. During rush hour or on days with major events, however, travel times can be closer to 50 to 60 minutes. It’s important to plan ahead and allow extra time when traveling around the Metroplex during the World Cup.

AIRPORTS

Two major airports, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL), serve the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Both airports provide travelers with direct access to public transportation.

At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, travelers can connect directly to regional rail service:

DART Orange Line connects to the broader DART rail network and provides service from DFW Airport to downtown Dallas.
TEXRail provides service from DFW Airport to downtown Fort Worth.
Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connects Dallas and Fort Worth, allowing travelers to move between the two cities.

Dallas Love Field also provides travelers with access to the DART rail network through the Love Link bus. The Love Link connects the airport to Inwood/Love Field Station, where passengers can transfer to the DART Green Line or Orange Line. From there, visitors can travel to downtown Dallas and other destinations around the Metroplex.

MATCH DAY TRANSIT

There are several ways fans can get to Dallas Stadium during the 2026 World Cup. FIFA representatives said that spectators traveling from downtown Dallas or Fort Worth to the stadium should plan for a trip of approximately 1.5 hours. Wait times may be longer, so fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Trinity Railway Express: The primary stations for boarding the TRE commuter rail are Victory Station in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth Central Station in downtown Fort Worth, which is also a TEXRail stop.

According to FIFA World Cup 2026 Dallas representatives, at the TRE Centreport Station, guests will exit the train, and game day ticket holders will be able to take complimentary Charter Buses to the Bus Hub just north of Dallas Stadium, where there will be a 10-minute walk to the stadium.

A ticket is required to ride the TRE.

Dynamic Charter Buses: World Cup representatives said that if the train is at capacity and lines are forming, Dynamic Charter Buses will be available for game-day ticket holders to take patrons to Dallas Stadium, as well as from the Victory and Fort Worth Central Stations. Fans taking the Dynamic Charter Buses from the TRE Centreport Station will be dropped off at the Bus Hub.

Rideshare/Taxi: Fans arriving by taxi or other rideshare services like Uber or Lyft will be directed to the Rideshare Lot, located in the parking area for the ESports Stadium Arlington, next to the Medal of Honor Museum. Pick-ups after the game for rideshare and taxis will also take place in the Rideshare Lot.

According to FIFA representatives, after the game, if the wait at the Rideshare Lot is too long, spectators can walk to the Bus Hub and return by Charter Bus to the TRE CentrePort Station, where they can continue to downtown Dallas or downtown Fort Worth.

Red Trolley: For those staying in Arlington, many hotels have access to the Red Trolley buses that circulate in the district. Drop-offs and pick-ups for the Trolley will be along E. Road to Six Flags, north of Choctaw Stadium.

ROAD CLOSURES

FIFA World Cup 2026 Road Closures

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there will be road closures in downtown Dallas due to construction near the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, which will be used as the International Broadcast Center:

Lamar Street will be closed from Ceremonial on the north to the parking lot access point on the south side.
Memorial Drive will be closed from Lamar Street to Hotel Street.
The Lamar Bridge, Akard Street, and Hotel Street will also be closed.
FIFA plans to fully close Griffin Street between Canton Street and Ceremonial Drive from May 26 until July 23.

Several roads will also be closed near Dallas Stadium on match days:

AT&T Way will be closed from Cowboys Way to Randol Mill Road.
Cowboys Way will be closed from N. Collins Street to AT&T Way.
A portion of Nolan Ryan Expy from Road to Six Flags to the south entrance of the Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Arlington/Entertainment District will be closed to accommodate match day operations.

Roads will also be closed near the TRE CentrePort Station in Fort Worth, where TRE riders with match tickets will transfer to charter buses:

A portion of Statler Boulevard from Breezewood Drive to Cottageview Lane will be closed to accommodate match day operations.

There will also be road closures near the FIFA Fan Festival Dallas at Fair Park. The festival will be held at The Pavilion at Fair Park amphitheater, located in the northeast portion of Fair Park. Free parking will be nearby, and the Rideshare Lot will be located between Washington Street and McKenzie Street. The DART Fair Park Station is located on Parry Avenue, north of First Avenue. The DART MLK Jr. Station is located on South Boulevard near MLK Jr. Boulevard. Road closures include:

First Avenue will be closed from Parry Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue.
Grand Avenue will be closed from First Avenue to Second Avenue
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard will be closed from First Avenue to Second Avenue.
Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed from First Avenue to Lagow Street.

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