The International Broadcast Center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially opened Monday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, marking a major milestone as North Texas prepares to host matches during the global tournament.
The downtown Dallas facility will serve as the operational hub for thousands of journalists covering the World Cup and will oversee video review functions for every match played during the competition.
FIFA officials said the center has been transformed into what they describe as the most technologically advanced broadcast operation in tournament history. Studios, control rooms, and monitoring systems have been installed throughout the convention center, creating a central location that will manage camera feeds from all 16 World Cup venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Dallas City Manager Kim Tolbert for the opening ceremony, where he called the state-of-the-art facility “absolutely incredible.”
“From here, you will bring to the entire world hours, minutes, seconds of emotions that the World Cup gives to people,” Infantino said, per Fox 4 KDFW.
Speaking to those gathered at the event, Infantino described the center as the focal point of the tournament’s global media operation.
“You are in this IBC, exactly at the heart – at the epicenter of this wave,” he said, NBC 5 DFW reported. “A big, big thank you for making it possible to the world to share these emotions and this experience with all of us.”
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the facility’s responsibilities extend well beyond traditional broadcasting.
“It’s not just a broadcast center, it’s a football technology center. VAR, graphics and all of that, and we have quality control,” Schirgi said, per Fox 4.
The center will operate around the clock through the World Cup final on July 19. According to officials, it will house video assistant referee operations and other technology systems supporting matches throughout the tournament.
Tolbert said the opening reflected years of preparation and cooperation among local and international partners.
“This facility represents years of vision, planning, partnership and collaboration,” she said, per NBC 5.
She added that Dallas is ready to welcome the world.
“And as the world gets ready – just know – Dallas is ready,” Tolbert said.
Security measures at the broadcast center include two autonomous robotic dogs known as “Spot,” which will assist law enforcement with continuous surveillance of the facility, as reported by The Dallas Express. FIFA branding has been visible throughout the venue since mid-May as preparations intensified.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and conclude on July 19. North Texas will host nine matches during the tournament, including its first contest on June 14, when the Netherlands and Japan are set to meet at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
Infantino indicated he expects to spend additional time in North Texas during the tournament.
“I need to get my cowboy boots, for when I come to the games in Dallas,” he said, NBC 5 reported.
