The 2026 FIFA World Cup has generated record-breaking economic results for North Texas, according to reports released Tuesday. Arlington hotels collected $31 million in room revenue during the event, while the Fort Worth Stockyards experienced a significant surge in visitors.
Arlington hosted nine matches, including one semifinal, drawing more than 631,000 attendees. Average attendance for those games reached approximately 70,000 fans per match. The Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau highlighted these figures as evidence of the tournament's tourism success.
In Fort Worth, business and tourism officials gathered to review the economic impact of hosting soccer fans from around the globe. Over a 39-day period, the Stockyards attracted nearly two million visitors, representing a 45% increase compared to the same timeframe last year.
Local leaders also emphasized international connections formed during the event. Drew Hays, executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission, noted discussions with the Czech national team about hosting them at a rodeo. That visit coincided with record attendance at the Coliseum, where 55,000 tickets were sold over the 39 days, marking the highest total in its 118-year history.
The influx of travelers created unusual demand at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Jerome Woodard, the airport's chief operating officer, stated that hundreds of visiting dignaries arrived during a compressed period of about 30 days. He noted that this volume typically occurs over an entire year, with the airport usually handling approximately 316 such visits annually.
