Nine World Cup matches being played in Arlington this summer are expected to bring security perimeters, street closures and heavier traffic to several parts of North Texas — including areas miles away from the host stadium.
Draft FIFA Host Committee documents obtained by NBC 5 Investigates through a public records request provide a glimpse of traffic and security plans for the tournament, including closures in downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Arlington and near DFW Airport.
In downtown Dallas, Griffin Street will be closed as part of the security perimeter around the International Broadcast Center, which is being set up inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. That closure is expected to last through July 23. Nearby Lamar Street is already closed for construction at the convention center.
At Fair Park, traffic control is expected around the FIFA Fan Festival from June 11 to July 19. Because it is an official tournament event, the site is expected to have heavy security from federal and local law enforcement each day, according to law enforcement officials.
In Arlington, a large security perimeter will be in place around “Dallas Stadium” for more than a month. AT&T Stadium is being rebranded as Dallas Stadium during the World Cup due to FIFA’s rules prohibiting corporate naming of competition and event spaces.
On match days, police are expected to close streets bordering the stadium on the south and east sides. North of the stadium, part of the Nolan Ryan Expressway is also expected to close on match days because a bus hub will be set up there for ticket holders about a half mile from the stadium, according to the transportation plan.
Fans using rideshare services will not be able to go straight to the soccer stadium. The plan includes a rideshare lot west of Arlington’s Esports Stadium, one block north of Choctaw Stadium and about a half-mile walk from the soccer stadium.
Transit plans also call for road closures around the Centerport TRE station south of DFW Airport. Fans with tickets will be able to ride complimentary shuttles from Centerport to the stadium. Statler Drive will be closed on match days as part of the security perimeter around that station.
Match days may also bring heavier traffic and security near DART’s Victory Station by the American Airlines Center. The station is expected to serve as a major hub for ticket holders riding the TRE from downtown Dallas to Centerport, where they can catch the stadium shuttle. The plan also calls for extra buses on standby at Victory Station in case they are needed to move overflow crowds to Centerport.
Even people who are not attending matches could still see traffic impacts. Law enforcement officials tell NBC 5 Investigates there is a possibility of pop-up traffic impacts connected to motorcades escorting team buses and visiting dignitaries. Foreign heads of state also sometimes attend World Cup matches, which could bring additional security measures.
