England Flag

England

Group L · Dallas, Texas

Dallas Matches Official
1Match
Group L · June 17, 2026
England vs Croatia
3:00 PM CDT·Dallas Stadium, Arlington
Dallas Stadium (AT&T) · Arlington, TX
Your Texas dossier is ready — scroll to enter.

Where you're landing

One match in Dallas. Your stadium is AT&T — FIFA renamed it "Dallas Stadium" for the tournament. Same place, different sign.

The essential England fan guide for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, Texas — covering transport from DFW Airport to AT&T Stadium, hotels near the stadium, fan zones, local food, and everything you need before you land.

First Dallas Match
--
Days
:
--
Hrs
:
--
Min
Jun 17 · England vs Croatia · 3:00 PM CDT

Fly into DFW International Airport — closest to Dallas Stadium

British Airways, American Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic operate nonstop LHR ↔ DFW service. Book early — seats fill fast for World Cup travel.

DFW International Airport to Stadium: ~24 km (~15 mi), est. 25 min on a normal day — plan 60–90 min on match day.

Book flights early — World Cup weeks sell out fast and prices spike hard closer to June.

Search & Book Flights →
💵
US Dollars Only
Pounds are not accepted in Texas. Bring USD or use ATMs at DFW. Wise or Revolut cards give you the real exchange rate — no 3–5% foreign fees.
⚠ If a terminal asks "pay in USD or GBP?" — always choose USD. The GBP option uses a bad conversion rate.
📱
Get an eSIM Before You Fly
Activate a US data plan on the plane. You'll have maps, Uber, and WhatsApp the second you land — no airport queues.
Airalo or Nomad. Search "USA 30-day data." ~$15–35 (≈€14–32). Needs an unlocked phone with eSIM support.
🛂
ESTA — Apply Before You Fly
The UK is on the US Visa Waiver Program. You need an approved ESTA before boarding — apply at least 72 hours before your flight. Cost: $21. Valid 2 years / multiple entries.
⚠ Only apply at the official site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov — third-party sites charge more for the exact same thing.

Set up your US data plan before you board.

Get Your SIM Card →
Match-day traffic is brutal. Match-day traffic is brutal. DFW to Stadium normally takes 25 min — plan 60–90 min on match day. Leave early, or take the TRE train.

Your base camp

Three areas worth your time. Everything else is noise.

World Cup pricing reality: Hotels within 10km of Dallas Stadium are already showing $700–$1,300+/night for match weeks — 3x–5x normal rates. Book the moment you have your ticket.
💱 Prices shown in USD with approximate EUR equivalents (≈ €0.92 per $1). Exchange rates fluctuate — use as a planning guide only.
Match-Day King
Arlington Entertainment District
Walk to Dallas Stadium — the only area where this is possible. Texas Live! is right next door with bars, restaurants, and pre-match atmosphere. If you're at Loews Arlington it's 7–10 min on foot.
$700–1,300+ · ≈€640–1,190+ per night · match weeks · Est.
~650 m (0.4 mi) Loews → Stadium
Browse Hotels
Best Overall Balance
Las Colinas / Irving
The smartest base for most fans. Upscale, safe, walkable around Toyota Music Factory — a huge entertainment hub with bars and restaurants. Sits right between Dallas and Arlington. Much calmer than downtown but with real things to do.
$350–700 · ≈€320–640 per night · match weeks · Est.
~24–32 km (15–20 mi) to stadium
Browse Hotels
Classic Texas Feel
Fort Worth / Sundance Square
The pick for fans who came to experience real Texas. Walkable downtown with cowboy bars, steakhouses, and western energy. Bonus: TRE commuter rail connects toward Arlington so you don't always need a car on match day.
$250–500 · ≈€230–460 per night · match weeks · Est.
~32 km (~20 mi) by car · TRE rail available
Browse Hotels
Also Consider
Best for Groups
House Rental · Mansfield / Southlake
4+ people? A whole house often beats hotel math. Southlake is upscale; Mansfield is closer to the stadium. Pool, kitchen, parking — split between a group and it can land under $100/person/night. Car required.
$400–900 · ≈€370–830 total/night · split it · Est.
~16–40 km (10–25 mi) to stadium
Browse Houses
Budget Option
Grand Prairie
The closest budget pick to the stadium. Chain hotels, strip malls, car-dependent. Not much to do in the area itself — purely practical if you're driving and just need a cheap base close to Arlington.
$150–350 · ≈€140–320 per night · match weeks · Est.
~16–19 km (10–12 mi) to stadium
Browse Stays

How to move

Dallas Stadium is in Arlington — not served by city rail. Your strategy depends on where you're staying.

What most visiting fans get wrong

Don't book a hotel in Dallas city centre expecting to cheaply reach the stadium — Dallas Stadium is in Arlington, 30+ km away. Post-match Uber surge will cost you $80+ (≈€74) and a 2-hour wait.

Don't rent a car just for match day. Stadium parking runs $75–175+ (≈€69–161) on top of the rental. The TRE train is far cheaper and skips all the chaos.

Always plan your return trip before kickoff. Post-match Uber queues at the stadium gates regularly run 2+ hours. Have a plan before you sit down.

1
TRE Train + CentrePort Shuttle Budget Hero
Take the Trinity Railway Express from Dallas (Victory Station) or Fort Worth to CentrePort/DFW Station. FIFA match-day shuttles connect directly to Dallas Stadium. Avoids all parking costs and stadium traffic — with 100,000 cars descending on Arlington, this is the stress-free option.
Cheapest option No parking needed Fort Worth + Dallas pickup Confirm shuttle details closer to June
2
Rental Car Best for Multi-Day
Best if you're doing multiple things across DFW over several days. Pick up at DFW International Airport. Budget the real all-in cost — airport taxes, insurance, and match-day parking add up fast.
USA drives on the right side of the road. If you're from the UK, Ireland, Australia, or Japan — allow extra time to adjust. Intersections and highway on-ramps are the trickiest spots.
Most flexible ~$100–120/day all-in (≈€92–110) ~ Est. Parking $75–175+ match day (≈€69–161) ~ Est. Under 25? ~$25/day surcharge
3
Uber / Lyft
Normal Dallas rides est. $15–30 (≈€14–28). Match-day surge to/from stadium can hit $60–100+ (≈€55–92). Post-match is the worst — 2+ hour waits at stadium gates. Walk 5–10 min away from the exits before requesting.
No parking Great if staying in Arlington Surge on match days Long post-match wait at gate

Book your rental car early — rates spike significantly during tournament weeks.

Search Rental Cars →

English-friendly picks & Texas classics

Six picks. Pub atmosphere, pre-match dinner, and the Texas must-dos.

British pub
British PubDallas · McKinney AveMatch day base
The Londoner
Verified British pub at 3531 McKinney Ave, Dallas. Premier League atmosphere, proper pints, fish and chips, and a crowd that speaks your language. If England fans are gathering anywhere in Dallas on match day, it's here.
Gets extremely packed on match days. Arrive 90 min early for a seat.
Est. $15–28 / person~18 mi from stadium
Upscale dining
Wine · AmericanUptown DallasPre-match dinner
Sixty Vines
Upscale American-European wine bar and restaurant at 3701 McKinney Ave. Familiar flavours — roasted chicken, wood-fired dishes, strong wine list. Good for a proper pre-match dinner without going full Texas-BBQ on your first night.
Reservation recommended during World Cup weeks.
Est. $30–55 / person~20 mi from stadium
BBQ
Texas BBQFort WorthMust-do experience
Goldee's BBQ
Ranked #1 BBQ in Texas. Brisket, ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage — nothing like home cooking, but that's entirely the point. A non-negotiable Texas experience during your trip.
Sells out most days. Arrive before 10am. Worth the trip from Arlington.
Est. $20–40 / person~30 mi from stadium
Tex-Mex
Tex-MexDallas · Multiple locationsGroup dinner
Mi Cocina
Dallas Tex-Mex institution. The Mambo Taxi margarita is famous. Fajitas, queso, and the kind of loud, social dinner that works great after a match. This is Texas food — don't skip it.
Walk-in waits of 30–60 min on weekends. Go early or late.
Est. $18–30 / person~20 mi from stadium
Burgers
Fast Food · Texas ChainEverywherePost-match · 2am fuel
Whataburger
Open 24 hours. The Patty Melt is the one. Post-match ritual for half of Texas. Better than a kebab on the way home — and that's saying something. If you leave without trying it, you made a mistake.
Post-match lines can be long. Drive-through is faster.
Est. $8–14 / personLocations everywhere

Book food tours, city experiences, and stadium-area activities for your match trip.

Book Dallas & Houston Experiences →

What you need to know

June in Texas is intense. Nothing should catch you off guard.

🌡️
Heat
~33°C
91–92°F average in June. Shade, A/C, and water matter more than your ego.
💧
Hydration
Bring a bottle
North Texas heat hits harder than visitors expect. Refill stations at fan zones.
💰
Tipping
15–20%
Expected at sit-down restaurants, bars, rideshare. Add ~$1 per $10 for tax on top.
🔌
Power
120V · A/B
Bring a plug adapter. Verify your charger supports 100–240V.
Stadium Entry — Clear Bag Policy (Critical)

Show up with a regular backpack and you'll be turned away at the gate — sent to a paid locker. Don't be that person.

✓ Clear bag — max 12″×6″×12″ (30×15×30 cm) ✓ Small clutch — max 4.5″×6.5″ (11×17 cm) ✓ One-gallon zip-lock bag ✗ Regular backpacks ✗ Large purses or tote bags ✗ Camera bags
UV Index 10–11 · Skin burns in ~15 min

Texas June sun is intense. SPF 50+, sunglasses, and a hat are not optional — especially during tailgates and stadium walks.

☀ SPF 50+ — reapply every 2 hrs 🕶 Polarized sunglasses 🧢 Hat for outdoor time 💧 Refillable bottle
Pack Before You Fly
👜
Clear Stadium Bag
Required to enter Dallas Stadium. Regular bags get turned away at the gate. Buy before you fly — cheaper and easier than finding one in Texas.
Shop Amazon →
☀️
SPF 50+ Sport Sunscreen
UV Index 10–11 in June. Skin burns in 15 minutes. Essential for fan zones, tailgates, and any outdoor time between sessions.
Shop Amazon →
🔌
US Plug Adapter
The UK uses Type G at 230V. USA uses Type A/B at 120V. You need an adapter. Check your charger says 100–240V — most modern chargers do.
Shop Amazon →
💧
Collapsible Water Bottle
Allowed in stadiums and fan zones. Free refill stations everywhere. In 95°F+ heat this is the most important thing you'll carry all day.
Shop Amazon →

Medical costs in the US are high without coverage. Travel insurance is worth it for a trip this far.

Compare Travel Insurance →
911

Emergency: Police, Fire, Medical

Works from any phone — even without an active SIM. British Consulate General Houston: (713) 659-6270

Need the full rundown on Dallas heat, stadium rules, and emergency contacts? Full Weather & Safety Guide →
Tipping, BBQ etiquette, what Texans are actually like — things that matter on the ground. Texas Culture Guide →

Don't skip these

These guides have the details that separate a smooth trip from a stressful one. Read them before you land.