Billion-dollar AT&T Stadium to host nine World Cup games
The AT&T Stadium is a retractable-roof stadium located in Arlington, Texas. It will be rechristened the Dallas Stadium for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as part of the conditions the world’s football governing body mandates for hosting its tournaments.
It is one of 16 venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico selected by FIFA to host this year’s World Cup matches, with nine games scheduled to be played at the AT&T Stadium.
Three-time finalists the Netherlands will open their World Cup campaign against Japan at the stadium on June 14. England and Croatia will also meet in a high-profile match at the same venue three days later, on June 17.
Defending champions Argentina will also play two matches at the AT&T Stadium. Four knockout matches, including one semifinal fixture, are likewise scheduled for the stadium.
The stadium was built between 2006 and 2009, costing an estimated $1.3 billion at the time. It has a capacity of 80,000 but can be expanded to 100,000 with standing room.
The AT&T Stadium is owned by the City of Arlington and is widely known as the home of the National Football League franchise, the Dallas Cowboys, a five-time Super Bowl champion.
It is also the venue for the Cotton Bowl Classic, an annual college American football bowl game.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, sold the naming rights to AT&T for the stadium in July 2023, in a deal reportedly worth at least $17 million per year, changing the name from Cowboys Stadium.
Nicknamed the ‘Jerry World’, the stadium features 380 executive suites and a gigantic centre-hung high-definition video board that stretches about 160 feet wide and 72 feet tall on each side, allowing fans to watch both live and replayed action.
Additionally, the facility doubles as an art gallery, with the Jones family commissioning dozens of contemporary artists to create site-specific artworks for the stadium, allowing fans to view pieces by renowned artists.
Some major sports events that have been hosted at the AT&T Stadium include Super Bowl XLV, WrestleMania 32, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, boxing bouts, and the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.
It is also a popular concert destination for top musicians from around the country, including Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, BTS, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and Garth Brooks, who have all performed there.
The attendance record at AT&T Stadium was set during the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, when over 108,000 attended.
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