What to Do Near the Stadium During the 2026 Soccer Tournament: A Downtown Arlington Guide

Global stage, local feel: Downtown Arlington is ready for tournament season. 

In June 2026, the world’s largest soccer tournament will bring hundreds of thousands of fans, dozens of countries, and a level of global attention Arlington has never experienced before. 

At the center of it all is AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, known during the tournament as Dallas Stadium, which is set to host nine international matches. That is more than any other stadium in the United States, and it includes a massive semifinal match. 

But just beyond the stadium lights, something else is happening. 

Downtown Arlington is just minutes from AT&T Stadium and offers local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, public art, live music, family-friendly activities, transportation options, and places to cool off before and after matches.  

While many visitors may search for things to do in Dallas during the tournament, the matches are happening in Arlington, right in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth region, and Downtown Arlington is ready to welcome fans and locals alike with an experience close to the action. 

Make Downtown Part of Your Match Day 

Traffic and parking will be busy on match days, so Downtown Arlington is the perfect place to arrive early, grab a meal, and enjoy the city before heading to the stadium. 

Before kickoff, visitors can explore local restaurants, meet up with friends, grab coffee or a drink, and take in murals and public art. Cane Rosso will offer $10 Margherita pizzas and drink specials during games. Inspirations Fork & Table is planning fixed-price specials, $5 beers, patio seating, and themed drinks. For something casual, Mellow Mushroom will serve stone-baked pizzas and craft beer while streaming tournament games. 

After the match, Downtown gives fans a reason to skip the immediate rush. Visitors can grab tacos and live music at Taqueria Acapulquito, enjoy contests and giveaways at Flying Fish, or stop by Fuzzy’s, which plans to stay open late on match days with Texas Margaritas served in cowboy-pants-shaped souvenir cups. 

There will also be plenty of places to cool off and recharge. The Downtown Library will serve as a match-day sanctuary where visitors can escape the heat, recharge their phones, and join the Summer Reading Challenge. Rita’s Italian Ice will offer a cold treat before or after the game, while Daydream Bookstore will feature exclusive themed lattes inspired by the tournament. 

For fans heading to the stadium, J. Gilligan’s Stadium Shuttle offers a simple option: park for free in the Downtown area and take a short shuttle ride to the stadium. Visitors can also use Arlington’s rideshare service, Via, and should plan ahead for heavy traffic and limited stadium parking on match days. 

DREAM Park Becomes a Downtown Gathering Place 

During tournament season, DREAM Park will serve as one of Downtown Arlington’s most visible gathering spaces. Located in the heart of Downtown, the park offers a place for visitors and residents to pause, meet up, take photos, and enjoy the energy of the district before or after match-day activities. 

Each match day, friendly faces from the Arlington Ambassadors will be positioned at DREAM Park to help visitors and locals alike find the nearest fun. The park will also spring to life with live music, performances, and a soccer-themed ground mural. There will be shaded seating and free water to give visitors a space to rest their feet and find their way.  

This activation is part of Downtown Arlington’s larger effort to make the tournament experience feel welcoming, accessible, and memorable. The stadium may be the destination, but Downtown is where people can slow down, connect with the community, and experience Arlington beyond the game. 

Planning for a Global Moment 

Downtown Arlington has been proactively planning for this opportunity for more than a year. 

The Downtown Arlington team has actively participated in regional tournament planning, including service on the North Texas World Cup Organizing Committees for Sustainability and Marketing and Communication. We also partnered with Downtown Dallas Inc. to organize a monthly nationwide call for downtown and district management professionals, creating a space to coordinate information, share industry best practices, and learn from other communities preparing to host international matches. 

Here in Arlington, Downtown staff has held regular meetings with key local stakeholders, including Downtown businesses, the City of Arlington, the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and the Arlington Economic Development Corporation. 

That planning is already turning into action. With support from a grant from the Arlington Economic Development Corporation, Downtown Arlington is helping businesses prepare for tournament season with decorations and visitor-facing improvements that will make the district feel welcoming, festive, and unmistakably Arlington. 

A Local Experience on a Global Stage 

The 2026 tournament will bring the world to Arlington. The matches will make headlines, but the memories visitors take home will not be limited to what happens inside the stadium. 

They will remember where they went before kickoff. Where they cooled off. Where they found a great meal. Where they heard music in the street. Where they took a photo with friends. Where they felt welcomed by a city that was ready for them. 

That is where Downtown Arlington has a role to play. 

We are not trying to outscale the stadium. We are creating the local experience around it. 

Coming to Arlington for tournament season? Make Downtown part of your match-day plan. 

Explore local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, public art, events, parking information, transportation options, and business specials at: 

https://downtownarlington.org/events/world-cup-arlington

For official tournament details, including tickets, match schedules, stadium policies, and security information, please refer to official tournament and stadium sources.