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In DFW, the countdown to the world’s most-watched sporting event has begun.
The region will host nine matches of the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup, more than any other city.
“We’re still peeling back the layers of the onion and seeing what the impact is,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission.
Paul also announced to city leaders this week that Dallas is also a finalist for the International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center.
The last time it happened in 1994, it boosted the local economy by about $26 million. In 2022, the host city received $65 million.
“My expectations are pretty high,” Wendell Lee said.
Lee, a partner in Uno Mas, said his restaurants will benefit many restaurants in downtown Dallas and beyond, allowing people from all over the world to taste everything the area has to offer. He said he hopes to be one of them.
“We’re going to have a lot of people coming from other countries who have never had Tex-Mex food or even American food before,” he says.
All nine games will be played at AT&T Stadium, but the sports commission said it plans to hold base camps at Toyota Stadium, Dallas Baptist University, TCU and the University of Dallas. Teams will stay and practice at these four locations ahead of the world championships. cup.
Fan Fest will be held daily at Fair Park, and the Sports Commission estimates an average of 70,000 people could attend each day.
Fair Park general manager Stacey Church said in a statement that the organization is excited by the level of enthusiasm ahead of the Cup game.
“We have been working with the Dallas Sports Commission, FIFA, and other stakeholders on the operational aspects of the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest at Fair Park. This includes details such as the event’s layout, opening hours, and various components. ”
Other venues, such as Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park and Fort Worth’s Sundance Square, could also serve as backdrops for one of the many events the Cup will attract.
“To see everything unfold, to see that extra layer come out, to see the whole community excited…but how can we use the World Cup to leave our city and region in a better place? “I think that’s the exciting part for me, to provide more opportunities for our residents and our children,” Paul said.
Only time will tell about the overall economic impact on DFW, Paul said.
In 2017, the committee preparing the city’s bid as host city estimated the cost would be more than $400 million. However, at the time it was expected to host four games instead of nine.
Today Paul said that number is expected to rise further.
The Sports Commission will begin recruiting volunteers in the coming months.
FIFA will also take time to review both safety and security plans and travel logistics in the city to ensure fans can easily travel between events.
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