Arlington will host nine matches during this summer’s World Cup. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to descend upon Dallas-Fort Worth, adding stress to our transportation infrastructure.
Hector Vivas
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Expect traffic around AT&T Stadium to be a nightmare during the World Cup, but there’s a plan to help alleviate some of the stress hundreds of thousands of soccer fans will put on our transportation system this summer.
The North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and the North Central Texas Council of Governments presented Thursday their mobility playbook, which focuses heavily on rail and bus service to move fans to and from Arlington on match days.
Michael Morris, director of transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, said it’s likely a million additional people will use local roads and public transportation systems over the 31 days the World Cup is in town, during which time nine matches will be played at AT&T Stadium (which will temporarily be renamed Dallas Stadium for the tournament).
Each of those games will be the equivalent of a Super Bowl, officials have said, with upward of 100,000 people descending upon Dallas-Fort Worth.
The Trinity Railway Express, with service from downtown Fort Worth, will operate four-car trains instead of the standard three-car trains, and they’re adding two additional train sets with a locomotive and four cars each. On match days, TRE trains from Fort Worth and Dallas will carry fans to the CentrePort/DFW Airport near State Highway 360 and Trinity Boulevard in Fort Worth, and shuttle buses will transport people to a bus hub closer to the stadium. TRE tickets are available via the GoPass app.
Additionally, there will be 125 regional charter buses to carry passengers who can’t fit on the trains. These buses can carry 50 passengers each and will operate with priority on Interstate 30 using specially managed lanes. Transportation officials will be able to change the directional flow of traffic on these lanes depending on the need.
This map shows transportation routes to and from Arlington on World Cup match days. AT&T Stadium will host nine matches between June 14 and July 14, 2026. Courtesy of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and North Central Texas Council of Governments
Locals are advised to drive to games to allow more visitors to use public transportation. Those driving are encouraged to follow the directions that accompany FIFA-issued parking passes to get to their designated parking areas, which will be around Globe Life Field, the Rangers’ ballpark.
If you are heading to a match this summer, leave early to account for traffic. The stadium will open three hours before kickoff. Officials are also asking those who live or work in Arlington to adjust their schedules and consider working from home on match days.
On those days, portions of Cowboys Way and AT&T Way, the roads that run south and east of AT&T Stadium, will be closed to traffic. Part of the Nolan Ryan Expressway will also be closed near the bus hub, which will be on East Road To Six Flags Street.
Some roads around AT&T Stadium in Arlington will be closed during the World Cup on match days. The stadium will host nine matches between June 14 and July 14, 2026. Courtesy of North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and North Central Texas Council of Governments
The walk to the stadium from either the bus hub or the nearby rideshare lot will take about 10 minutes. Planning officials are looking at adding cooling stations and shaded areas along the route to help with the heat.
Kelly Porter, the assistant director for regional transportation planning and innovation for the city of Fort Worth, asked area residents to please “pack your patience” during the World Cup. It will be hot and it will be crowded, but the tournament presents a unique opportunity for Fort Worth to put itself on the map, Porter said.
As far as what the city is doing to prepare, Porter said street construction will be halted in some areas to reduce traffic congestion, and Fort Worth has partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to plan for major roadway usage. Still, there will likely be delays in popular areas around places like Fort Worth Central Station in downtown, which will be the primary point for boarding TRE trains and charter buses to the games.
Porter said the overall impact to locals will likely be limited, but he reiterated that those who can should consider working remotely during the World Cup to ease traffic for essential workers and emergency workers.
Where are things taking place in Dallas-Fort Worth during the World Cup?
AT&T Stadium, with its nine matches, will be the focal point. The first match will be June 14, with the Netherlands facing Japan. The Dallas slate will conclude on July 14 with a semifinal match.
Elsewhere, Toyota Stadium in Frisco, home of FC Dallas, will serve as the base camp for team Sweden. An under-construction soccer stadium in Mansfield will be base camp for the Czechia national team.
The FIFA Fan Festival will be held in Fair Park and will be accessible via the DART Green Line. Those traveling from Fort Worth can take the TRE to Dallas’ Victory Station to transfer to Green Line trains.
FIFA’s International Broadcast Center, which will be the hub for all broadcast media, will be based at Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 1:12 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Adams is a news reporter covering Fort Worth, Tarrant County and surrounding areas. He previously wrote about aviation and travel and enjoys a good weekend road trip. Matt joined the Star-Telegram in January 2025.