- City: Dallas
- State: Texas
- Country: United States of America
- Time difference between the UK: Minus 6 hours
- Average June Temperature: 34°C (or really, really hot)
Dallas, Texas
Welcome to Dallas
Welcome to Dallas, welcome to North Texas, and welcome to the place where England’s World Cup journey begins — or at least where it begins geographically, because the matches are actually being played in nearby Arlington. FIFA has simply looked at the map, drawn a big circle around everything, and written “Dallas” on it in confident handwriting.
This is Texas, so everything is bigger: the roads, the stadiums, the portions, and the confidence levels of people explaining barbecue. Dallas itself has around 1.3 million residents, but the wider Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex is home to more than 8 million people. It’s a sprawling, car-first, air-conditioned world where walking is technically possible but emotionally discouraged.
The city grew from cotton, railroads and oil into one of America’s major business hubs. Today it’s home to major corporations like AT&T and Southwest Airlines, while nearby DFW Airport is one of the busiest in the world. It’s also a region that takes sport very seriously — especially American football, where the Dallas Cowboys are less a team and more a religion with a stadium.
One of the most famous incidents in recent times in Dallas was the shooting of US President John F. Kennedy. The shooting took place at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas in November 1963, and its infamous grassy knoll is open to visit.
The city grew from cotton, railroads and oil into one of America’s major business hubs. Today it’s home to major corporations like AT&T and Southwest Airlines, while nearby DFW Airport is one of the busiest in the world. It’s also a region that takes sport very seriously — especially American football, where the Dallas Cowboys are less a team and more a religion with a stadium.
A few quick realities
for visitors:
- It will be hot. Properly hot.
- Tipping isn’t exactly optional (20% is standard)
- The cashless society is growing
- Uber prices after matches can feel personally insulting
- You will need to drink more water here than you think you need
Getting There
Dallas is one of the most accessible US host cities thanks to excellent international links and its role as a major aviation hub.
Most fans will arrive into Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), located roughly between Dallas and Fort Worth.
It’s huge, efficient, and slightly confusing in a “why does this airport have its own postcode?” kind of way.
Getting Around
Dallas is not a “wander between stadium and hotel” kind of city. It’s a “you will be getting in a vehicle” kind of city.
Public transport exists through DART rail and buses, and while it’s not London Underground levels of convenience, it’s decent, affordable and mercifully air-conditioned.
- DART Regional Day Pass: $9 (Booked through the GoPass App)
- TRE (Dallas–Fort Worth rail): about $6
- Operating hours: roughly 5am–midnight
Dart
E-Scooters
The Stadium
Matches in Dallas are being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, known as the Dallas Stadium for the tournament — home of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the most eye-catching stadiums on the planet.
Locally, it’s known as “Jerry World”, named after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who appears to have built the stadium with the brief: “make it visible from space if possible.”
A few key points:
- Capacity: ~94,000
- Retractable roof, which will be closed during the tournament, thankfully
- One of the largest HD video screens in the world
- Inside feels more like a high-end space station than a football ground
Texas Live!
Getting to the stadium
Eating and Drinking
If there is one thing Dallas does extremely well, it’s food that makes you reconsider your life choices in the best possible way.
This is BBQ country. Popular spots include places like Terry Black’s, Pecan Lodge and Railhead Smokehouse, where ordering “just a bit” of food is a known rookie error. Terry Black’s in our experience charged you by the weight of the meat, so be careful, but what an experience.
Whether you are staying in Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth or any other area of North Texas, you certainly won’t be short of places to eat and drink. Some recommendations of our own for drinking in or near Dallas are areas such as Deep Ellum, Lower Greenville, Bishop Arts District, Carrollton and Legacy West (Plano). There are a few options in downtown Dallas too, such as the AT&T Discovery District and the Rodeo Bar. There are a couple of Irish Bars nearby too.
In Fort Worth, the Stockyards, the Fort Worth Cultural District, Sundance Square, Historic Downtown Grapevine, Magnolia Avenue (near Southside).
For some football-specific recommendations in Dallas, head to Peticolas Brewing Company, the City Tavern, Community Beer Company, Harwood Arms, The Londoner (Mockingbird), The Old Monk. In Frisco, Rollertown Beerworks and The Derbyshire, and in Fort Worth HopFusion Ale Works, CowTown Brewing, Wild Acre Beer Garden and Flying Saucer.
For food, it is Texas, so just eat BBQ food, if you can. There are obviously plenty of options, but Terry Black’s BBQ, Lockhart Smokehouse and Pecan Lodge. There are also plenty of Tex-Mex options, and if you are looking for things such as burgers, McDonald’s is obviously available, but popular options such as Whataburger have multiple locations and are a hit with the locals. We hope we haven’t cursed it English style, whereby the sheer mention of BBQ brings out the rain!
If you do try Terry Black’s, the price of the meat is dependent on what it weighs, so do be careful when ordering. You can always go back for more.
On matchday, near the stadium there are a few options, with one in particular being very popular in Texas Live! Unfortunately, they have set an entry fee of $20 which you can pay on the door, first come, first served, or you can book online. It is a huge venue with a capacity for thousands and is within walking distance of the stadium.
Foods you’ll find in Dallas:
- Brisket (basically the national dish)
- Ribs that require structural engineering
- Sausage that should come with a warning label
- Portions that assume you’ve skipped breakfast, lunch and self-control
Things to see and do
Dallas has more to it than people expect — although some of it is extremely American in a “you had to be there” kind of way.
Dealey Plaza is the most historically significant site in the city, marking the location of President Kennedy’s assassination. The surrounding museum is detailed and surprisingly moving, and tours can be arranged.
In Arlington itself, you can visit the National Medal of Honor Museum that is very close to the stadium, and because this is a sporting complex, in this area you can also visit the old Texas Rangers Choctaw Stadium, which is primarily used for college and high school American Football. The Choctaw Stadium is just next to Texas Rangers’ new ground at Globe Life Field. There is also an eSports arena.
If you have the opportunity whilst there, we would also recommend a visit to Terrell to the British Flying Training School (BFTS), a little-known chapter of World War II. 2000 RAF pilots came here to learn to fly, and some, unfortunately, passed away here, whose graves are well looked after by the superb volunteer team. The museum relies on donations, so if you do have time to travel out there and learn about this important part of history, please leave a donation if you can afford to do so.
For something lighter, Reunion Tower offers panoramic views across the skyline and is particularly impressive at sunset when the city starts to light up.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are a must if you want the full Texas experience: cowboy shows, western bars, and an atmosphere that feels like a film set that refused to pack up after filming ended.
And then there’s the giant eyeball sculpture in downtown Dallas — which requires no explanation, because there isn’t one, it’s just a giant eyeball that you will need a photo of.
You may also want to visit:
- FC Dallas stadium in Frisco
- Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park – host of 1994 World Cup matches in Dallas
- Arlington sports complex
- Various halls of fame and sports museums in the region
FIFA Fan Festival
The official FIFA Fan Festival will be held at Fair Park, a large historic venue in Dallas with space for big crowds, live screenings, entertainment and food stalls.
It’s expected to be a major gathering point for supporters throughout the tournament and will be easily accessible via DART rail services.
Entry is free, although like everything at this World Cup, arriving early is strongly recommended unless you enjoy queue-based anxiety. Free tickets can be booked at the link below.
This will be open for 34 days throughout the World Cup and will show every game.
British consular
assistance
The nearest British Consulate is in Houston, with additional FCDO support on the ground with us in Dallas.
A few sensible reminders:
- Keep copies of your passport
- Use hotel safes
- Do not leave bags in rental cars
- Don’t underestimate the heat
- Don’t try and “walk it off” at 35°C
