Attending the 2026 international soccer tournament in DFW is already an expensive trip. Tickets to matches at AT&T Stadium run well over $500 each on the resale market, and hotel prices in Arlington spike during the event. But the time you spend between matches does not have to drain your wallet.
Here is how to stretch your budget across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Klyde Warren Park in Dallas is a five-acre green space built over a highway with free outdoor games, seating and food truck access. The Dallas Museum of Art charges no admission for its general collection. The Fort Worth Stockyards longhorn cattle drive along East Exchange Avenue runs twice daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CT and costs nothing to watch.
Walking the Arlington Entertainment District is free and worth doing even on non-event days. The Nolan Ryan statue at Globe Life Field, the Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez statue at the Southwest Entry and the Adrian Beltré statue at the Northeast Entrance are all outside the gates and accessible year-round.
Texas Live! Lot B parking is free on non-event days, making the complex a good base for daytime exploring.
Skip the pricey sit-down restaurants and lean into the DFW taco and barbecue scenes. Local taquerias across Arlington and Dallas serve plates for $8 to $12. Whataburger, a Texas chain, has locations throughout the area and is a reliable meal for under $10.
At Globe Life Field, Wednesday home games feature Dollar Dog Night with discounted hot dogs at concession stands throughout the ballpark. You can also bring in outside food in a sealed, clear, quart-sized plastic bag (one per ticket) and one sealed bottle of non-flavored water up to one liter. Packing snacks before the game saves $15 to $20 per person easily.
Blue Bell ice cream inside the ballpark runs about $6 to $8 per serving. On Sunday home games, kids 13 and under get Blue Bell ice cream for $1.
Upper deck sections at Globe Life Field offer a wide-angle view of the field at a lower price point. The climate control keeps those seats comfortable regardless of the temperature outside.
Check the promotions schedule before you buy. Family Fun Tuesdays on select dates feature discounted tickets, food and parking.
Arlington On-Demand, powered by the Via app, costs $3 per ride anywhere in the city. The service runs Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT. No Sunday service.
The Arlington Trolley provides free shuttle rides between participating hotels and the stadiums on event days. Picking a hotel on the trolley route saves significant rideshare costs over a multi-day stay.
From DFW Airport, the cheapest option is the free TRE LINK bus to CentrePort Station, then Arlington On-Demand for $3. Total cost: $3.
Prices in the Arlington Entertainment District spike during the 2026 soccer tournament. Budget options like Sleep Inn (starting around $50 to $80 per night during non-peak periods), Howard Johnson (around $65 to $95) and Motel 6 (around $60 to $90) sit near the district but will cost more during major events.
Booking early and choosing midweek stays over weekends keeps rates lower. Hotels in Grand Prairie or Irving, both within a 15 to 20-minute drive, often offer better availability and pricing.
Yes. Outside food in a sealed, clear, quart-sized plastic bag (one per ticket) and one sealed bottle of non-flavored water up to one liter.
Arlington On-Demand costs $3 per ride through the Via app. The Arlington Trolley is free on event days between participating hotels and the stadiums.
Yes. The Dallas Museum of Art, Klyde Warren Park, the Fort Worth Stockyards cattle drive and walking the Arlington Entertainment District are all free.
Midweek games, especially Tuesday and Wednesday home games, tend to have lower ticket prices. Upper deck sections are the most affordable seating option.
Wednesday home games at Globe Life Field feature discounted hot dogs at concession stands throughout the ballpark.
As early as possible. Prices in the Arlington area can double or triple during the tournament. Booking months ahead locks in better rates.
