FIFA World Cup fans will have a chance to participate in the fun, for free, when the international tournament comes to North Texas in the summer.
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee said the Fan Festival at Fair Park will open June 11 and run throughout the tournament, with free access and a paid option.
Fans can get their complimentary tickets starting on Friday, May 15.
“The Fan Fest at Fair Park is in basically lot nine in 10, where the pavilion is, and then lot 10, at any one time, may have 35,000 people there. That’s just the capacity at one time,” NTFWCOC Chief Marketing Officer Noelle LeVeaux said. “We expect some days because fans will turn over based on the matches that are being shown. We expect to see 100,000 people who are there a day in some cases.”
Fans can visit FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas – FIFA World Cup 26 Dallas to claim their complimentary or paid-option tickets. You will then receive a QR code that will be used to get into the gates of the Fan Festival.
Thursday, May 21, local organizers will unveil the Texan Golden Boot sculpture in the Arlington Entertainment District. It offers North Texans a chance to leave their name in World Cup history.
“It’s going to be this really large metal sculpture that stands about six feet, 16ft tall, and made from reclaimed Texas metal by a Nigerian artist. And so that’s going to be an Arlington, and there’s going to be a brick plaza around it. And you can get your name or your company’s name on a brick, which starts at about $500 to have your piece of the World Cup right here forever,” LeVeaux said.
The one-of-a-kind sculpture by Steve Ekpenisi will stand in Arlington long after the matches are over and so will the brick plaza. Some of the funds raised will also go to the North Texas Sports Foundation to create a long-term regional impact for sports-driven community transformation.
Fans will also be treated to an augmented reality scavenger hunt across North Texas that will go live during the tournament.
“This is a way to actually drive foot traffic into businesses across North Texas. Businesses can sign up right now to be a part of this quest. You know, it’s that augmented reality thing where you get to see a little collectible and that kind of thing. Businesses are signed up now. They can offer something special a free appetizer, things like that. If people come to their place to get that collectible in this augmented reality quest that we’re having,” LeVeaux said.
SeekAR is partnering with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee to build a region-wide AR scavenger hunt across North Texas — routing over 3 million fans to local businesses.
Saturday, May 30, is another chance to participate in activities leading up to the tournament.
Registration is open now for the Countdown to the Cup 5K and community fun run, which will benefit the North Texas Sports Foundation. It’s happening at The Sound at Cypress Waters, 3111 Olympus Blvd. in Dallas. The race begins at 8:30. All participants will receive a limited edition medal and shirt.