The home of the Dallas Cowboys has been an unexpected star in the World Cup, especially for fans from other countries.<\/p>\n
While Ross said he and others in the city knew the stadium was a gem, it\u2019s come as a surprise to many fans.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve taken to social media to share their impressions of the venue.<\/p>\n
Oliver Henry, an English fan cheering on his national team against Croatia, wrote on his TikTok video\u2019s thumbnail, \u201cWe owe America an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir football stadiums are so much better than ours,\u201d Henry said in the video. \u201cThis is Dallas Stadium and it\u2019s absolutely incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The size, he said in the video, was one thing that set it apart.<\/p>\n
A Japanese creator who goes by Ryu on TikTok was impressed by the air conditioning in the stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, paradise,\u201d he said when he walked in to escape the Texas heat. \u201cAir con, this is so awesome. … I\u2019m in paradise right now, it\u2019s awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
From his seat in the highest section of the stadium, he showed the pitch and the massive screens hanging above it.<\/p>\n
Dutch fan Traveltomtom showed off the stadium in a video he shared to TikTok, surprised by the air conditioning and the size of the venue.<\/p>\n
He compared it to a shopping mall and a train station.<\/p>\n
@traveltomtom<\/a> As a European, I genuinely didn\u2019t expect this\u2026 \ud83e\udd2f From the outside it looks like the entrance to any other football stadium. But the moment you walk through the doors, it feels like you\u2019ve entered a luxury shopping mall. Air conditioning, huge open spaces, restaurants, stores\u2026 it honestly felt more like an airport or train station than a football stadium. I\u2019ve visited stadiums all over Europe and around the world, but this was something completely different. The World Cup 2026 is introducing me to a whole new stadium experience, and I can definitely see why people are so impressed by these American venues. Dallas\u2026 you surprised me. \ud83d\udc4f #dallas<\/a> #worldcup2026<\/a> #USA<\/a> \u266c original sound – Traveltomtom<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cAmerica, you are doing things different than we\u2019re used to in Europe,\u201d he said in the video. \u201cI don\u2019t even feel like I\u2019m in a football stadium. This is Dallas Stadium, so different than any other stadium I\u2019ve been before.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘A sense of wonderment’<\/p>\n Brent DeRaad, the president and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau<\/a>, said the stadium\u2019s reception by fans is important. It shows that they\u2019re enjoying their time in the city, and that could have impacts beyond just the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThis really has brought it to life,\u201d DeRaad said. \u201cBeing able to see international travelers come in and almost marvel, not only at just the size of the stadium but at how comfortable it is, the massive size of video screen, all of those things have really played a role, I think, in making international travelers just almost have a sense of wonderment about just the overall atmosphere in AT&T Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n The experience at the stadium could draw those international visitors back to Arlington for future travel, too, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing able to show Arlington to the world in a way like this is just, it’s been remarkable,\u201d DeRaad said. \u201cI think when international travelers come here, if they have a great experience, they’re treated well, it will make them want to return time and again.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the impression is going to be long lasting,\u201d he told KERA.<\/p>\n James Hartley<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n KERA News <\/p>\n AT&T Stadium has been temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium and redecorated to welcome teams from around the world for nine matches of the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n He said that as a part of the welcoming committee that greeted teams, dignitaries and fans from around the world he heard praise for the stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cI hear it from all of the visitors coming here saying, \u2018Listen, we’re following our team around to different places throughout North America, but we wish we could stay here in Arlington,\u2019 \u201d Ross said. \u201cThis by far is the best location and not just the best stadium, but the most welcoming with everything you could think of within walking distance of the stadium, restaurants, retail stores, everything was right here.\u201d<\/p>\n The reaction from fans helps validate the city\u2019s recent decision to invest millions<\/a> into upgrading parts of the stadium, like security and technology, in exchange for keeping the Dallas Cowboys in the city, he said.<\/p>\n That $273 million will also go to upgrades around the stadium, like pedestrian bridges.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the impact that you see from stuff like the World Cup here, I think it certainly says we’ve done the right thing on that,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup bid<\/p>\n Early estimates suggest the World Cup has brought Arlington anywhere from $18 million to $24 million of economic impact per match, according to DeRaad. While those numbers aren\u2019t final, he said they do give an idea of what the effects of the World Cup have been on the city.<\/p>\n Having AT&T Stadium, as it will soon be known again, has been a big part of that. The ability to put in real grass for the pitch, keep the roof closed and welcome fans into a climate controlled environment amid the Texas summer all give the city an edge when it comes to attracting big sporting and entertainment events.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing able to play these matches indoors in such a large facility, to have the turf in such pristine condition, you know, it really just speaks to the quality of the stadium and the great job that the Dallas Cowboys have done through the years and maintaining it,\u201d DeRaad said.<\/p>\n And it might help bring soccer back to the city in 2031.<\/p>\n The FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup<\/a> is already in the planning stages, and the US is already confirmed as a host nation.<\/p>\n DeRaad said the experience fans have had in the stadium will help the city and organizers make a strong case for Arlington as a host of that tournament, too.<\/p>\n James Hartley reports on Arlington for KERA News. Got a tip? Email James Hartley at \u00a0jhartley@kera.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider\u00a0making a tax-deductible gift<\/a>\u00a0today. Thank you.<\/p>\n ![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784066230_192_.jpeg\"\/)
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