Dallas City Council could consider closing downtown streets during the World Cup, creating “vehicle-free zones” – or more commonly referred to as open streets.

A memo presented to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Monday recommended focusing closures on Main Street between Ervay Street and Field Street, as well as Akard Street from Elm Street to Commerce Street.

Every council member on the committee was in favor of the proposal and spoke positively of the potential for street closures.

The memo proposed two approaches to these downtown closures:

Option A

Sunday (only) closures between FIFA matches (excluding game days): June 21, June 28, July 5, and July 12

Opportunities for merchants to expand into the street for food and beverage service

Potential amenities such as bike valet, pending available space

Option B

Select one weekend from the following dates:

July 4–5 (Fourth of July weekend / Semi-Quincentennial)

No FIFA matches are scheduled during these weekends

Here’s the full match schedule for “Dallas Stadium”:

June 14: Netherlands vs. Japan @ 3 p.m. CT (Group F)

June 17: England vs. Croatia @ 3 p.m. (Group L)

June 22: Argentina vs. Austria @ noon CT (Group J)

June 25: Japan vs. Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania @ 6 p.m. CT (Group F)

June 27: Argentina vs. Jordan @ 9 p.m. CT (Group J)

Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn (District 12) said she loved both options and would actually prefer doing all of the dates listed.

“I think every single date listed in this [memo] should be done,” Mendelsohn said. “I think this should become a massive celebration for us – downtown, let’s see it. Let’s celebrate America 250 and show our international visitors how we really celebrate July 4th and our birthday, but also make it a place for people to come gather and enjoy.”

The memo cited a case study where the Convention and Event Services Office of Special Events (CES-OSE) partnered with Downtown Dallas Inc. (DDI) to introduce the first Open Streets activation to the public during a “Trick or Treat” event held on Oct. 31, 2025.

According to the memo presented before the committee, the trick or treat event was “both enjoyable and successful” and attracted an estimated 7,100 attendees during a three-hour timeframe.

The memo stated that “the event ran smoothly, including effective barricade placement and overall logistical management.”

“Based on the event’s success and community response, CES-OSE believes an Open Streets concept would be well-received by residents, visitors, and local businesses during the FIFA World Cup,” the memo reads.

DDI is working on preparing for the World Cup through street enhancements, sidewalk improvements, and activations across parks and public spaces, according to the memo.

“I think there is a huge opportunity here to get people out on the streets, have a very significant police presence, not a significant homeless presence and really change that narrative from what people think downtown is, when they haven’t been here, to what it actually is,” Mendelsohn said. “I can’t think of a better place to shut down streets and make this really spectacular. So, I hope you do it all.”

Councilmember William Roth (District 11) suggested the possibility of making parking free in downtown Dallas during these time periods.

“I think one of the biggest impediments of people coming downtown for events is figuring out if they’re going to spend a lot of money on parking,” Roth said. “Again, what we are trying to do is create an activity, a venue. We want to encourage people to ‘try out the store’ and walk in stores and see if there is something to shop there.”