FIFA World Cup 2026: Arlington officials clarify tailgating rules for Dallas matches
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Fans tailgate in the parking lot before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, Texas - At a town hall meeting hosted by Arlington city council member Mauricio Galante on Thursday night, Arlington police confirmed that tailgating itself will be allowed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, by Friday morning, officials walked back that statement.
This comes as questions persist nationwide about whether FIFA would restrict tailgating at host city venues.
Arlington police discuss tailgating policy
Arlington confirms tailgating allowed at FIFA World Cup
Arlington police have confirmed that tailgating will be allowed at AT&T Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though fans should expect high security and strict parking enforcement to manage the international crowds.
What they're saying:
During Thursday night's meeting, Arlington’s Deputy Chief of Police Steve Williams answered the question regarding tailgate by stating, "tailgating in itself is legal" and that officers will instead focus on enforcing laws against illegal behavior during matches at AT&T Stadium, otherwise known as Dallas Stadium during the FIFA World Cup.
"Yeah, so in regard to the common question about tailgating, so, there's obviously going to be a very, very robust public safety plan that's in place for this entire event."
The comments offered some of the clearest guidance yet for fans in North Texas as conflicting reports swirl about tailgating policies across the U.S. ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, on Friday morning, Arlington officials stepped back from Williams' statement, saying he may not have had the most up-to-date information when he spoke.
"We cannot definitively say that tailgating will be allowed during the World Cup," Tim Ciesco, of the Arlington Police Department's media relations group, said in a statement. "FIFA is in charge of setting the rules for all Cowboys and Rangers lots during the World Cup and will make that determination. They have also indicated they will let fans know prior to the event what those rules are / whether tailgating will be allowed."
FIFA’s stance on tailgating bans
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Fans tailgate during a game between the Tennessee Titans and the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The backstory:
Earlier reports suggested tailgating would be prohibited at several U.S. venues, including stadiums in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
FIFA, however, has pushed back on the idea of a universal ban, saying it does not have a formal policy prohibiting tailgating. The organization has said any restrictions will be determined on a venue-by-venue basis in coordination with local authorities and public safety officials.
On Friday, a FIFA spokesman confirmed that more information regarding tailgating will be released as the tournament approaches. The league also released the following statement earlier this week:
"FIFA does not have a formal policy that restricts tailgating (eating and drinking around parked cars in stadium areas). However, site-specific restrictions may be imposed in alignment with host city public safety authorities in certain venues based on local regulations. Additional fan information for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be communicated in advance of the tournament."
Residential concerns
Dig deeper:
AT&T Stadium is set to host multiple matches, some scheduled just days apart, which could extend disruptions over several weeks.
Residents who live near the stadium raised concerns during the meeting about limited parking access, street closures and spillover from visitors, including people parking in residential yards. One resident described the impact on nearby neighborhoods as significant, especially during back-to-back events.
Police acknowledged the challenges, saying restrictions such as temporary no-parking zones are intended to prevent overcrowding and maintain safety.
2026 World Cup match schedule at Dallas Stadium
What's next:
The first 2026 FIFA World Cup game to be hosted in Dallas will be played on June 14.
Dallas' full match schedule is as follows:
- Group Stage: Sunday, June 14: Netherlands vs Japan
- Group Stage: Wednesday, June 17: England vs Croatia
- Group Stage: Monday, June 22: Argentina vs Austria
- Group Stage: Thursday, June 25: Japan vs Sweden
- Group Stage: Saturday, June 27: Jordan vs Argentina
Matches that will be determined by performance:
- Round of 32: Tuesday, June 30.
- Round of 32: Friday, July 3.
- Round of 16: Monday, July 6.
- Semi-final match: Tuesday, July 14.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by an Arlington District 1 Town Hall meeting on April 16, 2026. This story was updated on April 17 with a new statement from the Arlington Police Department and clarification from FIFA.