North Texas transportation officials are urging residents and employers to make temporary travel adjustments during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the region prepares to host nine matches at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments, which is coordinating regional transportation planning for the tournament, said match days are expected to bring significant increases in traffic and transit use as thousands of visitors travel to and from games.
Officials expect the heaviest impacts on major corridors near Arlington, particularly Interstate 30, State Highway 360, and the Trinity Railway Express. Increased congestion is anticipated during the hours leading up to and following each match.
To help ease pressure on the transportation system, residents are being encouraged to carpool, use alternate routes, shift commute times outside peak travel windows, work remotely when possible, and combine errands into fewer trips.
Transportation planners are also asking employers to consider offering flexible schedules or telework options on match days to reduce roadway demand.
North Texas will host more World Cup matches than any other U.S. host region this summer, creating concentrated periods of travel before and after each game.
Match schedules released by transportation officials show expected arrival-related traffic beginning several hours before kickoff and departure-related congestion continuing for several hours after matches conclude.
The first Arlington match is scheduled for June 14, with additional matches planned through July 14.
Transit agencies are also preparing for higher ridership, particularly on the Trinity Railway Express. Regular transit users are being advised to allow extra time for boarding and transfers, monitor service updates, and adjust travel schedules when possible.
In Arlington, road closures are planned around Dallas Stadium on match days. Officials said AT&T Way and Cowboys Way will be closed to traffic during events, pending final approval from FIFA.
Additional traffic restrictions are expected near the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park in Dallas, where several roads within the fairgrounds area will be closed during the event.
Transportation officials said the temporary travel changes are intended to preserve reliable travel times for commuters, support emergency access, maintain transit capacity and reduce strain on major roadways during periods of peak demand.
The agency emphasized that the recommendations are voluntary and designed to help accommodate visitors while minimizing disruptions to daily life across the region.
Officials are also promoting the World Cup Commuter Challenge through TryParkingIt.com. Residents who log alternative commutes such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, or walking between June 11 and July 19 will be eligible for prize drawings.
Commuters can download and print the Mobile Match Day Travel Guide, available in English and Spanish, to help plan their routes on high-traffic match days.
Transportation planners said advanced preparation will be key to keeping the region moving smoothly as North Texas welcomes visitors from around the world for one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in the area.
