Dallas hosts nine World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, one of the largest venues in the tournament, and the Dallas area pairs big-time football with Texan hospitality, a lively downtown and excellent food. The stadium's location in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, means fans need to plan their base and transport carefully. This guide covers the stadium, the cities and the practicalities.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington is one of the biggest and most spectacular stadiums in world sport, with a retractable roof, a colossal video board and a capacity that can exceed 90,000. For the tournament it becomes Dallas Stadium, and its sheer scale makes match days feel like major events. The stadium sits in Arlington's entertainment district, surrounded by other venues and attractions, and security and entry procedures are thorough: arrive early and travel light to keep things smooth.

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is huge, and your base shapes your trip. Arlington itself is closest to the stadium and suits fans focused on football. Downtown Dallas offers nightlife, museums and a growing food scene, while Fort Worth provides a more traditional Texan experience with its Stockyards and western heritage. Distances between the three are significant, so pick one base and plan excursions rather than trying to live in all three at once.

Public transport to AT&T Stadium is limited compared with other host cities, so most fans use rideshares, shuttle buses or rental cars. Official match-day shuttles and park-and-ride options are typically published ahead of the tournament, and these are worth booking early. If you drive, expect heavy traffic and expensive parking near the stadium, and consider parking further away and walking or shuttling in. Whatever your mode, allow generous time: Arlington's roads fill quickly on event days.

Dallas-Fort Worth is a food city: Texas barbecue, Tex-Mex, steakhouses and an increasingly diverse restaurant scene. Between matches, Dallas offers the Arts District, the Sixth Floor Museum and the Katy Trail for walking and cycling, while Fort Worth's Stockyards deliver an authentic slice of western heritage. The metroplex also has excellent shopping and family attractions, making it a strong choice for fans travelling with children or non-football companions.

Texas summer heat is the main challenge: drink water, wear a hat and sunscreen for the journey to the stadium, and take advantage of the stadium's roof and cooling. Keep your digital ticket and transport plans ready on your phone, and agree a meeting point with your group for after the match, when crowds and network congestion make regrouping difficult. If you are staying in Dallas or Fort Worth rather than Arlington, confirm your return transport before the match: late-night options thin out after big events.

Fort Worth deserves at least a day of your trip: the Stockyards National Historic District offers daily cattle drives, western shops and honky-tonk bars, while the city's Cultural District houses world-class museums in beautiful parkland. The drive from Dallas takes around 45 minutes, and the contrast with Dallas's modern skyline is striking. For fans travelling with family, Fort Worth's zoo and science museum are excellent, and the western atmosphere makes for photographs and memories quite unlike anything else in the tournament.

Dallas gives the World Cup scale, spectacle and Texan warmth: a giant stadium, nine matches and a metroplex full of food and culture. Base yourself wisely, sort your stadium transport early, and the Dallas leg of your trip will be a highlight of the tournament.