AT&T Dallas Stadium World Cup 2026

For the AT&T Stadium Dallas Stadium World Cup 2026 tournament, the venue will be officially known during the event as “Dallas Stadium” because FIFA prohibits commercial sponsor names on its official venues. Located in Arlington, Texas, this premier football ground serves as the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and is popularly nicknamed “Jerry World” after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Key Takeaways

• AT&T Stadium will be renamed “Dallas Stadium” for the 2026 FIFA World Cup because FIFA prohibits commercial sponsor names on venues.
• The venue is physically located in Arlington, Texas, within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, not downtown Dallas itself.
• It features one of the world’s largest domed stadiums with a retractable roof, a colossal center-hung four-sided HD video board roughly 160 by 72 feet, and enormous retractable glass doors at each end zone.
• The stadium has a standard capacity of about 80,000 seats but is expandable to nearly 100,000 for marquee events like the Super Bowl.
• Dallas Stadium will host nine World Cup matches in 2026—more than any other venue—including five group-stage games and one of the two semi-finals on July 14.

If you are planning a trip to Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, understanding the details of this specific venue is crucial. While it may be referred to as Dallas Stadium during the tournament, its local identity remains deeply tied to AT&T Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys. This guide provides everything you need to know about the stadium’s history, its groundbreaking design, and the exact matches that will take place on its pitch.

What Happened to the AT&T Stadium Name for the 2026 World Cup?

The most immediate question for fans visiting or watching matches at this venue is why it will not be called AT&T Stadium during the tournament. Because FIFA strictly prohibits commercial sponsor names on its official venues, the stadium will operate under a neutral branding identity throughout the event.

The official name used by FIFA for all tournament materials, including tickets, schedules, and broadcast graphics, will be Dallas Stadium. This is the same approach FIFA takes with every World Cup venue that carries a commercial sponsor name. For locals and long-time fans, however, the venue remains universally known as AT&T Stadium in everyday conversation.

Where Is the Stadium Located in Texas?

AT&T Stadium is situated in Arlington, a city within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex of Texas. The area has a deep-rooted sports culture and serves as a major hub for football in the southern United States.

The stadium sits on its own dedicated campus near the I-30 corridor, shared with other local attractions and entertainment venues. It is one of two Texas venues used at the World Cup-alongside Houston-and one of eleven US host venues among the 16 total across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

What Makes the Architecture of AT&T Stadium Unique?

AT&T Stadium’s most distinctive architectural elements are its massive scale and dynamic structural features. When it opened in 2009, it became one of the world’s largest domed stadiums with a retractable roof.

Rather than relying on traditional fixed structures, the stadium utilizes a colossal center-hung four-sided HD video board suspended about 90 feet above the field, measuring roughly 160 feet long by 72 feet high. It also features enormous retractable glass doors at each end zone that can be opened to blend the indoor environment with the outdoors.

The Retractable Roof and Video Board

The expansive retractable roof is a defining architectural feature of AT&T Stadium, allowing events to be staged either in the open air or fully enclosed depending on the weather. The colossal center-hung four-sided HD video board suspended about 90 feet above the field measures roughly 160 feet long by 72 feet high, making it one of the largest video screens in sports.

• The stadium is one of the world’s largest domed stadiums with a retractable roof.
• A colossal center-hung four-sided HD video board is suspended about 90 feet above the field, measuring roughly 160 feet long by 72 feet high.
• Enormous retractable glass doors at each end zone can be opened to allow natural ventilation and light into the seating bowl during favorable weather conditions.

The ability to close the roof and air-condition the seating bowl makes AT&T Stadium well-suited to hosting matches during a Texas summer, when daytime temperatures and humidity are high.

Capacity and Opening Costs

The stadium officially opened its doors in May 2009, with construction completed that same month. The Cowboys played their first regular-season home game there on September 20, 2009. The facility holds a standard capacity of about 80,000 seats but is expandable to nearly 100,000 for marquee events such as the Super Bowl.

The construction cost was approximately $1.15 billion, making it a major investment for the region. It has been the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys since its inception and went on to host Super Bowl XLV in February 2011 (won by the Green Bay Packers, who beat the Pittsburgh Steelers). Additionally, while AT&T Stadium normally uses an artificial turf surface, a natural grass pitch will be installed to meet FIFA tournament standards.

Which Matches Will Be Played at Dallas Stadium in 2026?

For the 2026 World Cup, AT&T Stadium will transition from an NFL venue to an international tournament stage. However, its role is strictly limited to specific group phase and knockout fixtures.

Are There Knockout Matches Scheduled Here?

Dallas Stadium is notable for hosting multiple knockout-round matches during the tournament. Unlike some venues that only host group-stage games, this stadium will feature two Round of 32 matches, one Round of 16 match, and one of the two semi-finals.

This means that while fans traveling to Arlington can experience high-quality football across different stages of the competition, they should plan their trip carefully if they want to catch a specific knockout game. If you are looking for the final group-stage match at this venue, it takes place on June 27 between Jordan and Argentina. The stadium’s headline fixture, however, is the semi-final on Tuesday, July 14.

The Complete World Cup Match Schedule

The stadium will host nine specific matches at the tournament. The confirmed dates and kickoff times are listed below; all group-stage dates reflect local Central Time (CDT). Knockout round kickoff times remain TBC.

The June 14 fixture is the venue’s first World Cup match, and the semi-final on July 14 is its headline game. Note for international viewers: some European and UK schedules may list these dates differently due to time-zone differences, but the local Texas date remains as listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Stadium

Is Dallas Stadium actually in the city of Dallas?

No. Despite the tournament name, the stadium is located in Arlington, which sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex rather than the city of Dallas itself. FIFA uses the metro-area name “Dallas Stadium.”

What is the capacity of Dallas Stadium during the World Cup?

The stadium has a standard seating capacity of about 80,000 spectators but is expandable to nearly 100,000 for marquee events such as the Super Bowl.

Why is it called Dallas Stadium during the World Cup?

FIFA enforces a strict policy that prohibits commercial sponsor names from being used on its official venues. To comply with this rule, AT&T Stadium will be renamed “Dallas Stadium” for all tournament operations.

Does Dallas Stadium host knockout matches in 2026?

Yes. It will host two Round of 32 matches, one Round of 16 match, and one of the two semi-finals. The semi-final is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 14.