When does the Netherlands play in Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The Netherlands plays two Texas matches: vs Japan on Saturday June 14 at 3:00 PM CT in Dallas (AT&T Stadium), and vs Sweden on Saturday June 20 at 12:00 PM CT in Houston (NRG Stadium).

Does the Netherlands play in Dallas or Houston?

Both. The Netherlands plays in Dallas (AT&T Stadium) on June 14 vs Japan, and in Houston (NRG Stadium) on June 20 vs Sweden. The cities are approximately 385 km (240 miles) apart.

Do Dutch citizens need a visa to enter the United States?

No. The Netherlands is on the US Visa Waiver Program. Dutch fans need an approved ESTA before boarding. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. Cost is USD $21.

How do Netherlands fans travel between Dallas and Houston?

Dallas to Houston is approximately 385 km (240 miles). Drive time is ~3.5 hours on I-45. Flights are available (Hobby to Love Field or DFW), roughly 1 hour. Amtrak has a slow overnight train option. Rent a car if doing both cities.

Where should Netherlands fans stay in Dallas?

For the Dallas match: Arlington Entertainment District (walkable to stadium), Las Colinas/Irving (best balance), or Fort Worth. For Houston: NRG/Medical Center or Midtown for METRORail access.

Netherlands Fan Guide — Texas World Cup 2026

Step 1 · Your Arrival

Where you're landing

Two Texas matches: Dallas first, then Houston. Your stadiums are AT&T (Dallas) and NRG (Houston) — both renamed for the tournament.

The essential Netherlands 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 Texas Match

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Days

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Hrs

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Min

Jun 14 · Netherlands vs Japan · 3:00 PM CDT · Dallas

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

Search & Book Flights →

Before You Land

💵

US Dollars Only

Euros are not accepted in Texas. Bring USD or use ATMs at DFW or IAH. Wise or Revolut cards give you the real exchange rate — no 3–5% foreign fees.

⚠ If a terminal asks "pay in USD or EUR?" — always choose USD. The EUR 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 Netherlands 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 in both cities. DFW to Dallas Stadium: plan 60–90 min on match day. For Houston (June 20): IAH to NRG plan 90–120 min. Take METRORail in Houston — it goes direct to NRG Park Station.

Step 2 · Where to Stay

Your base camp

You have two matches, two cities. Select your match city to see the right options.

Your match city:

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. Estimated

💱 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

Upscale, safe, walkable around Toyota Music Factory — bars, restaurants, live music. Sits 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

Walkable downtown with cowboy bars, steakhouses, and western energy. 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, 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

World Cup pricing reality: Houston hotels near NRG Stadium are already showing $400–$900+/night for match weeks. Book immediately. Estimated

💡 Unlike Dallas, Houston has a METRORail Red Line that runs directly to NRG Park Station. Staying on the rail line means zero traffic, zero parking on match day.

Match-Day King

NRG / Medical Center

Closest area to Houston Stadium. The METRORail Red Line stops directly at NRG Park Station — a 2-minute walk from the stadium entrance. Safe, walkable, smartest base if you can get it.

$400–900+ · ≈€370–830+ per night · match weeks · Est.

METRORail direct to NRG Park Station

Browse Hotels

Best Overall Balance

Midtown Houston

Dense hotel inventory, bars, restaurants. METRORail Red Line connects directly to NRG Park. Lively neighborhood with real things to do. Houston's underground tunnel system lets you escape the June heat entirely.

$250–550 · ≈€230–505 per night · match weeks · Est.

METRORail Red Line → NRG Park direct

Browse Hotels

Most Options

Downtown Houston

Large hotel inventory at all price points. METRORail accessible. Great base if you want to explore Houston beyond match day — restaurants, museums, Discovery Green park, rooftop bars.

$200–500 · ≈€185–460 per night · match weeks · Est.

METRORail Red Line → NRG Park direct

Browse Hotels

Also Consider

Shopping District

Galleria / Uptown

Houston's premium shopping and hotel district. Luxury options, great restaurants. No direct METRORail — you'll Uber to the stadium (~20 min, budget for surge on match day).

$250–600 · ≈€230–550 per night · match weeks · Est.

~8 mi to NRG · Uber recommended

Browse Hotels

Budget Option

IAH Airport Area

Budget chain hotels near George Bush Intercontinental. Convenient if flying in on match day, but NRG Stadium is 22–26 miles south. Add 90–120 min travel each way. Only practical if you're leaving Houston the same day.

$100–250 · ≈€92–230 per night · match weeks · Est.

22–26 mi to NRG Stadium

Browse Stays

Getting Around

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 →

Step 4 · Where to Eat

Dutch-friendly picks & Texas classics

Two cities, two match days. Select your city for tailored picks.

Dutch · BakeryDallasComfort from home

Dutch Bread Bakery

Verified Dutch bakery in Dallas with stroopwafels, Dutch breads, and pastries. The closest thing to a Dutch breakfast you'll find in DFW. Good spot to stock up before a long match day.

Check current hours before visiting — smaller artisan shops can have limited days.

Est. $5–15 / personDallas area

Steakhouse · UpscaleDallas · Preston CenterBig night out

Knife Steakhouse

One of Dallas's top steakhouses. Dutch food culture respects quality meat — Texas beef is a different league. Dry-aged prime cuts, extensive wine list. Book well in advance for match weeks.

Fully booked weeks ahead during World Cup. Reserve now.

Est. $60–100+ / person~18 mi from AT&T Stadium

Texas BBQFort WorthMust-do experience

Goldee's BBQ

Ranked #1 BBQ in Texas. Brisket, ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage. This is a non-negotiable Texas experience — worth every minute of the queue.

Sells out most days. Arrive before 10am.

Est. $20–40 / person~30 mi from stadium

Tex-MexDallas · MultipleGroup dinner

Mi Cocina

Dallas Tex-Mex institution. Fajitas, queso, margaritas. The social dinner you'll talk about after the tournament. This is the Texas food culture experience.

Walk-in waits of 30–60 min on weekends.

Est. $18–30 / person~20 mi from stadium

Fast Food · Texas ChainEverywherePost-match · 2am fuel

Whataburger

Open 24 hours. Texas's most beloved fast food chain. Post-match ritual for millions of Texans. Try the Patty Melt. You won't regret it.

Drive-through is always faster post-match.

Est. $8–14 / personLocations everywhere

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

Book Dallas & Houston Experiences →

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. 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 Netherlands uses Type C/F at 230V. USA uses Type A/B at 120V. Check your charger says 100–240V — most do, but the adapter is still needed.

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 →

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 →

Essential Guides

Don't skip these

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

🎉

Fan Zones & Watch Parties

Official FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park — free entry, giant screens, live music. Plus the best Argentina-friendly watch spots in Dallas confirmed inside.

Read guide

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