England Fan Guide — Texas World Cup 2026

Step 1 · Your Arrival

Where you're landing

Match is at Dallas Stadium in Arlington — not downtown Dallas. Pick your airport, tap to add it to your plan.

Heads up: Your tickets will say "Dallas Stadium" — your GPS may still say "AT&T Stadium." Same place. FIFA renamed it for the tournament due to sponsorship rules. Official

DFW Airport → Stadium Official

~15 miles

Est. 20–30 min ~ Estimate

Match day: 45–90 min

Downtown Dallas → Stadium Official

~20 miles

Est. 25–35 min ~ Estimate

Match day: 60–90 min

Entertainment District → Stadium

~0.4 miles

Est. 7–10 min walk

Match-day traffic warning: Normal drive times listed below are for regular days. On match days, expect 45–90 min from DFW and 60–90 min from Downtown Dallas. Leave 2+ hours early and consider parking near a fan zone and walking.

Our Pick

DFW International Airport

Closest to Dallas Stadium. Nonstop flights from London (LHR) available on British Airways, American Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic — verify dates before booking. Rental car counters inside the terminal.

~15 mi to stadium

~25 min by car

Nonstop LHR–DFW available ~ Verify dates

Drive times without heavy traffic

Last verified: March 2026

Budget Flights

Dallas Love Field (DAL)

Smaller, faster security. Mostly domestic via Southwest. Good if connecting through a US city first.

~20 mi to stadium

~30 min by car

Domestic only

Drive times without heavy traffic

Currency & Connectivity

Know Before You Go

US Dollars (USD) Only

British pounds are not accepted in Texas. Withdraw USD from ATMs at DFW or use your UK card — Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere.

USD only

Cards accepted widely

ATMs at DFW

Save on fees: Most UK cards charge 3% on foreign purchases. Consider loading a Wise or Revolut card before you fly — they convert at the real exchange rate. Monzo also works well in the US with minimal fees.

⚠ Tipping culture shock: 18–20% tips are standard at sit-down restaurants in Texas. It's not optional — factor it in every time you eat out.

Best Move: Do This Before You Fly

eSIM — No Physical Card Needed

Set up a US data plan before you land. Activate on the plane — you'll have maps, Uber, and WhatsApp the second you touch down. No airport queues, no hunting for a kiosk.

Recommended: Airalo or Nomad eSIM. Search "USA 30-day data." ~$15–35. Works on any unlocked iPhone or Android with eSIM support.

~$15–35 for 30 days

Instant activation

No kiosk needed

Prefer a physical SIM? T-Mobile or AT&T counters at DFW. ~$30–50. Expect queues on arrival days.

Get your eSIM before you fly →

Shop eSIM Plans →

Step 2 · Where to Stay

Your base camp

Six areas, six different experiences. Tap your pick to add it to your plan.

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. These cards show approximate tournament-week ranges. ~ Estimate

Match-Day King Visitor-Friendly

Arlington Entertainment District

The only area where you can walk to Dallas Stadium. Texas Live! is right next door with bars, restaurants, and pre-match energy. If you're staying at the Loews Arlington or Live! by Loews, it's 7–10 min on foot. Most other hotels in the area are a 15–20 min walk — still doable, but plan accordingly.

$700–1,300+/night match weeks ~ Estimate

~0.4 mi Loews → Stadium

15–20 min walk most others

Browse Hotels

Prices surge 3x–5x during tournament weeks. Book early.

Best Overall Balance Visitor-Friendly

Las Colinas / Irving

The smartest base for most fans. Upscale, safe, and genuinely walkable around Toyota Music Factory — a huge outdoor entertainment hub with bars, restaurants, and live music. Sits right between Dallas and Arlington. Much calmer than Downtown but with real things to do.

~$350–700/night match weeks ~ Estimate

~15–20 min to stadium

Browse Hotels

Prices vary during World Cup

Best Without a Car Walkable

Uptown Dallas / West Village

The strongest Dallas pick if you want to walk everywhere. Uptown has well-lit streets, dense restaurant and bar options, and easy DART access. Visit Dallas specifically highlights this area for walkability. Nightlife without the edge of Deep Ellum. Uber to stadium ~25–35 min on a normal day.

~$300–600/night match weeks ~ Estimate

~22 mi to stadium

Browse Hotels

Prices vary during World Cup

Best Atmosphere Classic Texas Feel

Fort Worth / Sundance Square

International fans who came to experience real Texas will love this. Sundance Square is a genuinely walkable downtown with cowboy bars, steakhouses, and western energy you won't find anywhere else. Bonus: the TRE commuter rail connects toward Arlington, so you don't always need a car on match day.

~$250–500/night match weeks ~ Estimate

~20 min to stadium by car

TRE rail option available

Browse Hotels

Prices vary during World Cup

Best for Groups Visitor-Friendly

House Rental · Mansfield / Southlake

4+ people? A whole house often beats hotel math. Southlake is upscale and well-maintained; Mansfield is closer to Arlington. Pool, kitchen, parking, space to spread out. Car required. Split between a group and it can land well under $100/person/night.

~$400–900/night total ~ Estimate

~10–25 mi to stadium

Browse Houses

Prices vary during World Cup. Book early for best selection.

Budget Option

Grand Prairie

The closest budget option to the stadium, but don't confuse it with Las Colinas/Irving — it's a different vibe. Chain hotels, strip malls, car-dependent. Practical if you're driving and just need a base, but there's not much to do in the area itself.

~$150–350/night match weeks ~ Estimate

~10–12 mi to stadium

Browse Stays

Prices vary during World Cup

Compare hotel rates across all Dallas-area neighborhoods.

Compare Hotels →

Step 3 · Getting Around

How to move

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

Heat warning: June in Texas is 35–40°C (95–104°F). Any "park and walk" or "shuttle and walk" strategy means time outside in extreme heat. Bring a refillable water bottle — fan zones have free refill stations. Serious hydration, not optional.

1

TRE Train + CentrePort Shuttle Budget Hero

Take the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) from Dallas (Victory Station) or Fort Worth to CentrePort/DFW Station. FIFA match-day shuttles connect directly to Dallas Stadium from there. Avoids all parking costs and stadium-area traffic entirely — and with 100,000 cars descending on Arlington on match day, it's also the most eco-friendly option by a significant margin.

Cheapest option Avoids all parking Fort Worth + Dallas pickup Lowest carbon footprint Check schedules closer to event

⚠ Shuttle details: official World Cup routing not yet finalized. Confirm on FIFA/DART closer to June 2026. ⚠ Double-check

2

Rental Car Best for Multi-Day Trips

Best if you're doing multiple things across the DFW area over several days. Pick up at DFW. Drive time Dallas → Stadium est. 25–35 min on a normal day — can stretch significantly on match days.

Most flexible Base ~$45–75/day All-in: ~$100–120/day with taxes + insurance ~ Estimate Parking: $75–175+ match day ~ Estimate

Hidden costs to know: Texas airport fees, taxes, and insurance (most international visitors will need it) push the daily rate well above the advertised base. Under 25? Expect a ~$25/day young driver surcharge on top.

Driving license: Visitors can generally drive in Texas with a valid, unexpired foreign license. Some rental companies also require an International Driving Permit (IDP) — if you have one, get the 1943 Convention version (grey cover), which Texas recognizes for reciprocity. The 1949 version is not the same.

Parking reality: Official FIFA group-stage parking passes are starting at ~$75. Knockout and semi-final lots have hit $150–175+. Private lots near the stadium are listing $200+. Parking may cost more than the rental itself.

3

Uber / Lyft

Normal Dallas rides est. $15–30. Match-day surge to/from the stadium can hit $60–100+. Post-match is the worst — 2+ hour waits at stadium gates and prices triple. Hack: walk 5–10 min away from stadium exits before requesting a ride.

No parking needed Great for Arlington stays Surge pricing on match days Long post-match waits at gate

4

Arlington On-Demand (Via) $3–8 Rides

App-based shared rides covering all of Arlington. Distance-based fares of $3–8; a dedicated $3 CentrePort connection runs on match days. Hours are Mon–Fri 6am–9pm, Sat 9am–9pm. For the World Cup, the city is expanding service to include Sundays and extended late-night hours on match days — but expect high demand and long waits.

$3–8/ride in Arlington Sunday service for WC match days High demand on match days Limited hours outside WC events

World Cup service expansion not yet officially confirmed in detail. Verify hours closer to June 2026. ⚠ Double-check

5

DART Green Line → Fan Fest (Fair Park)

The official FIFA Fan Festival is at Fair Park in Dallas. DART's Green Line stops directly at Fair Park and is running every 10 minutes during the tournament. If you want to watch other matches on the big screens before your game, this is the easiest way in and out — no car, no parking, no surge.

Direct to Fan Fest 10-min frequency during WC No parking or surge Fan Fest only — not stadium

DART Green Line schedule for World Cup not yet finalized. Confirm at dart.org closer to June 2026. ⚠ Double-check

6

Official FIFA Match-Day Shuttles ⚠ Details TBD

Dedicated shuttles from fan zones and transit hubs to Dallas Stadium are expected for match days. This is likely the most organized option when confirmed — but routing, pricing, and ticket-inclusion are still unannounced. Do not plan around this until FIFA or Dallas Sports Commission publishes specifics.

Direct to stadium Routing + pricing unconfirmed Do not assume ticket inclusion

Check fifa.com and dallassports.org for official announcements closer to June 2026. ⚠ Double-check

Compare rental car rates from DFW Airport for your World Cup trip.

Compare Rentals →

Step 4 · Where to Eat

English-friendly picks & Texas classics

Tap any restaurant to add it to your plan. Filter by what you're in the mood for.

British Pub Dallas · McKinney Ave Match 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

Wine · American Uptown Dallas Pre-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

British · Casual Dallas · Various Quick comfort food

Fish & Chips in Dallas

True British fish and chips are rare in DFW, but The Londoner does a solid version. Alternatively, any upscale seafood bar in Uptown tends to do a credible take. Don't expect Grimsby — but it gets the job done.

The Londoner's version is the most authentic you'll find in the area.

Est. $12–20 / personVarious locations

Texas BBQ Fort Worth Must-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 Dallas · Multiple locations Group 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

Fast Food · Texas Chain Everywhere Post-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

Fast Food · Texas Born Everywhere Quick · Legendary

Raising Cane's

Four items: chicken fingers, crinkle fries, coleslaw, Texas toast. The obsession is the Cane's Sauce. Simple, fast, and genuinely great. A Texas institution you won't have back home.

Lines move fast even when they look long.

Est. $9–14 / personMultiple DFW locations

Survive Texas

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. Hot afternoons are normal. Shade, A/C, and water matter more than your ego.

💧

Hydration

Bring a bottle

North Texas heat plus long walks can hit harder than visitors expect. Refill stations at fan zones.

💰

Tipping

Usually 15–20%

Common at sit-down restaurants, bars, and rideshare. Factor it in — it adds up fast.

🔌

Power

120V · A/B

Bring a plug adapter. Check if your charger supports 100–240V before packing a voltage converter.

Stadium Entry — Clear Bag Policy (Critical)

FIFA and Dallas Stadium enforce a strict clear bag policy. Show up with a regular backpack or large purse and you'll be turned away at the gate and sent to a paid locker. Don't be that person.

What's allowed:

✓ Clear plastic / vinyl / PVC bag — max 12″ × 6″ × 12″ ✓ Small clutch — max 4.5″ × 6.5″ ✓ One-gallon clear 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+, polarized 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

Know Before You Go

Plan by Area

Dallas, Arlington & Fort Worth Are Separate

What looks close on a map can mean a long drive. DFW Airport to Arlington is roughly 16 miles; Downtown Dallas to Arlington is around 20 miles depending on your starting point. Plan your days by area — don't try to hit all three zones in one afternoon.

Budget Reality

Prices Don't Include Tax or Tip

Texas sales tax is up to 8.25%. Add a standard 18–20% tip and that $12 menu item becomes closer to $15–16 by the time the bill lands. Quick math: add ~$1 for every $10 on the price tag to estimate tax, then add your tip on top.

Culture Note

Expect Casual Small Talk

Texans are genuinely friendly — strangers will chat in lines, ask where you're from, or recommend food spots without being asked. One thing to know: if someone says "How are you?" while walking past, they're not waiting for an answer. It's just "hello." A quick "Good, thanks" keeps it moving. Perfectly normal.

More Guides

Everything else

Universal guides for all fans — fan zones, stadium logistics, and Texas culture.

England

Where you're landing

Our Recommendation

Your base camp

The Short Answer

How to move

Which strategy fits you?

TRE Train + CentrePort Shuttle Budget Hero

Rental Car Best for Multi-Day Trips

Uber / Lyft

Arlington On-Demand (Via) $3–8 Rides

DART Green Line → Fan Fest (Fair Park)

Official FIFA Match-Day Shuttles ⚠ Details TBD

English-friendly picks & Texas classics

What you need to know

Emergency: Police, Fire, Medical

Everything else

Fan Zones & Watch Parties

Match Schedule

Weather & Safety

Texas Culture Guide

My Texas Match Plan