England vs Croatia kicks off at 3:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. It is a Group L fixture in the 2026 international soccer tournament and one of the marquee group-stage matchups hosted in North Texas.
Here is how to plan your day around the game.
Get to the Arlington Entertainment District early. On match days, the area fills with foot traffic, and officials recommend arriving at the stadium at least four hours before kickoff. That means getting to the district by 11:00 a.m. CT at the latest.
Texas Live! opens in the morning and has restaurants, bars, and a 100-foot LED screen in the Live! Arena. Sports and Social Arlington has two floors of screens, craft beer, and interactive games. Lockhart Smokehouse serves Central Texas-style barbecue, and Troy’s has gourmet burgers and cocktails.
If you are coming from downtown Dallas, a rideshare takes about 25 minutes and costs $20 to $35. On match days, charter buses run from CentrePort Station to the stadium area. Start your journey early to account for transit delays.
The official fan festival at Fair Park in Dallas offers free entry with giant screens, live music, and international food vendors. Fair Park is accessible via the DART Green Line from downtown.
Dallas Stadium uses a clear bag policy. Approved bags include clear totes (plastic, vinyl, or PVC, no larger than 12 by six by 12 inches), one-gallon clear resealable bags, and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Backpacks, fanny packs, and non-clear bags are prohibited.
Arrive at the gates at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Security screening takes longer during sold-out events, and a 3:00 p.m. start means you should be in the security line by 1:30 p.m. CT.
The stadium is fully enclosed with air conditioning, so the Texas heat will not affect you inside.
The game should finish around 5:00 p.m. CT. You have several options for the rest of the evening.
Texas Live! is within walking distance and stays open late. PBR Texas has live music and a mechanical bull. The bars and restaurants run match-day energy into the evening.
Hurtado Barbecue in Downtown Arlington is about a half-mile south of the stadiums. Cut and Bourbon at the Live! by Loews hotel is an upscale steakhouse option. J. Gilligan’s Bar and Grill is a fan favorite known for “Irish Nachos” and stadium shuttles on event days.
The Texas Rangers play home games throughout the summer at Globe Life Field, which sits within walking distance of Dallas Stadium. If the Rangers have an evening home game on or near June 17, you can walk from one stadium to the other in eight to 13 minutes. Check the schedule for dates that line up.
Get tickets to see the Rangers in 2026 and make it a same-day double of soccer and baseball. Globe Life Field has a retractable roof and air conditioning, so you move from one climate-controlled venue to another.
Post-match traffic is heavy around the Entertainment District. If you are staying in Arlington, walking is often faster than driving or using a rideshare. If you need a rideshare, wait 15 to 20 minutes for the initial surge to clear.
The Arlington Trolley provides free shuttle service between participating hotels and the stadium area on event days.
Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
Clear totes no larger than 12 by six by 12 inches, one-gallon clear resealable bags, and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Backpacks and non-clear bags are not allowed.
A rideshare costs $20 to $35 and takes about 25 minutes. On match days, charter buses run from CentrePort Station to the stadium area.
Suppose the Rangers have an evening home game, yes. The two stadiums are within walking distance. Check the schedule for that date.
At least 90 minutes before kickoff for gate entry. Officials recommend getting to the Entertainment District area four hours early.
Texas Live! has multiple restaurants. Hurtado Barbecue in Downtown Arlington is about a half-mile from the stadiums. J. Gilligan’s offers stadium shuttles.
