The FIFA Fan Fest officially opened Thursday at the Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas Fair Park, creating a free gathering place for soccer fans as the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway.
The event transforms the historic Fair Park grounds into a 1-million-square-foot festival featuring live match broadcasts, concerts, interactive games, food vendors, and cultural attractions. Organizers plan to operate the Fan Fest each match day through July 19, with July 8, 12, 13, 16, and 17 designated as “rest days” with no scheduled matches.
Located in Dallas, the site is designed to give residents and visitors a place to experience the World Cup atmosphere, even if they do not have tickets to matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
The festival will include giant screens showing World Cup matches, multiple viewing areas, performances by local and international artists, soccer-themed activities and exhibits focused on the sport’s worldwide influence.
Admission is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, although organizers said capacity restrictions could be implemented during periods of high attendance.
Enhanced experience tickets are also available. The GA+Ticket, which costs $50 per person per day, includes dedicated premium entry lanes, preferred viewing near the Main Stage, premium section seating, and access to the Starplex Lounge.
The Legend Ticket, which sells for $250 per person per day, features all of the GA+ amenities, as well as reserved shaded box seating, in-seat waiter service, access to the Lawn Deck, and access to the air-conditioned Pegasus Lounge and the Pavilion Lounge, with upgraded air-conditioned restroom facilities, additional screens for streaming the World Cup matches, mobile charging stations, private, complimentary light snacks, and more.
The opening coincides with the start of World Cup play in Mexico City and comes as North Texas prepares to host nine tournament matches, more than any other U.S. host region. The first local match is scheduled for Sunday and will feature the Netherlands against Japan at AT&T Stadium.
Organizers said the Fan Fest is one of the largest of its kind in World Cup history and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors each day. The event is also expected to provide an economic boost to the region by creating opportunities for local businesses, restaurants, and cultural organizations.
City officials and FIFA partners have coordinated transportation, parking, and security plans around Fair Park to accommodate large crowds throughout the tournament. Organizers said no major incidents are anticipated as the event begins.
The Fan Fest serves as the official gathering point for fans in North Texas during the tournament and highlights the region’s role as a major host for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Fans can access schedules for activities, match viewing times, and entertainment performances through the official FIFA Fan Fest website and the Dallas Fair Park event page.
