Staying connected while visiting Texas is straightforward once you know your options. International visitors need a plan for mobile data, and everyone benefits from knowing where WiFi is available and how to use their phone at the stadiums. If you are coming to the DFW area for the 2026 international soccer tournament, sort your connectivity before you land.
Here is what you need to know.
If your phone supports eSIM (most smartphones released in the last several years do), this is the simplest option. Download an eSIM data plan from a provider like Airalo, Holafly or Ubigi before you leave home. Plans covering the United States typically start around $10 to $15 for several gigabytes of data and can be activated when you land. No physical SIM card swap is needed.
If your phone does not support eSIM, prepaid SIM cards from major U.S. carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) are available at electronics stores, convenience stores and airport kiosks. T-Mobile tends to offer the most straightforward prepaid plans for short-term visitors, with options starting around $30 for 30 days of data and calls.
Check with your home carrier before departure. Some plans include U.S. roaming at no extra cost or for a daily fee. If your carrier charges per megabyte, roaming can get expensive fast. An eSIM or prepaid SIM is almost always cheaper for trips longer than a few days.
Most hotels in the Arlington area offer free WiFi, though speeds vary. Restaurants and coffee shops throughout Dallas and Fort Worth provide free WiFi as well.
Globe Life Field has WiFi available for guests inside the stadium. AT&T Stadium also provides in-venue WiFi during events. Both networks can slow down when the buildings are at capacity, so do not rely on venue WiFi for video streaming during a match or game.
Texas Live! has WiFi available for guests. DFW Airport offers free WiFi throughout all terminals.
Download the MLB Ballpark app before your trip. It handles your Texas Rangers tickets, helps you navigate Globe Life Field, supports mobile food ordering from your seat and provides information about the game in progress. All Rangers tickets are digital and delivered through the app.
For soccer matches at AT&T Stadium, your tickets will be delivered through the official tournament ticketing platform. Make sure the app is downloaded and your tickets are accessible before you arrive at the gates.
Bring a portable charger. A full day in the Entertainment District, from the pre-match atmosphere through the event and post-match activities, will drain your phone battery. Charging stations may be available inside both venues, but bringing your own charger guarantees you stay powered up.
Use caution with public WiFi networks. A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your connection and protects your personal information when using WiFi at hotels, coffee shops and airports. Several reliable VPN apps are available for free or at low monthly costs.
Turn off automatic WiFi and Bluetooth connections on your phone. This prevents your device from joining unsecured networks without your knowledge. When connecting to WiFi at a hotel or venue, confirm the network name with staff to avoid connecting to a spoofed network.
Back up your phone to the cloud before you travel. If your device is lost or stolen, your photos, contacts and documents are recoverable.
Download offline maps of the DFW area through Google Maps or Apple Maps before your trip. Offline maps work without data and are useful for navigating between cities, finding your way to the stadiums and locating restaurants.
Save important documents (passport copies, hotel confirmations, tickets, insurance information) as offline files on your phone so they are accessible even without a connection.
An eSIM is the simplest and most affordable option for most travelers. Download a plan before departure and activate it when you land.
Yes. Guest WiFi is available inside the stadium. Speeds may slow during capacity events, so do not rely on it for streaming.
Yes. All Rangers tickets are digital and delivered through the MLB Ballpark app. Download the app and load your tickets before arriving at the ballpark.
Yes. A full day in the Arlington Entertainment District will drain your battery. A portable charger keeps your phone alive for tickets, maps and rideshare.
Use a VPN when connecting to public WiFi at hotels, restaurants and airports. Confirm the network name with staff before connecting.
Yes. Dialing 911 works from any phone in the United States, even without an active plan or data connection.
