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Content Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
PG. 04-05
Beyond the Draw: T h e S c h e d u l e , T h e Le g a c y, T h e I m p a c t o f F I FA Wo r l d C u p 2 6 .
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A B a n n e r Ye a r : Events, Announcements, & Big Wins of 2025
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Pros at Home
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Latest from the Commission
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Upcoming Events
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Vo l u n t e e r V i c t o r i e s - C o t t o n Bowl Classic
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Thanking our Ever yday Heroes: The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Returns to Dallas in December
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s Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission •
BEYOND THE DRAW:
THE SCHEDULE, THE LEGACY, THE IMPACT OF FIFA WORLD CUP 26 IS BECOMING REALITY. By: Ben Harbuck
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
For a long time, the FIFA World Cup 26™ lived in the future tense in North Texas. It was a promise measured in years, meetings, and planning documents. Then on December 5th, the official draw happened. The schedule followed. And with it came the ultimate realization: this is no longer about preparation, it’s about arrival. Nine matches. More than any other venue on the planet. From the early days of the Group Stage to a World Cup Semi-Final on July 14, AT&T Stadium will sit at the center of the largest sporting event in history. Not as a backdrop. As a heartbeat. For Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, the moment carries a different kind of weight, not because North Texas hasn’t hosted global events before, but because few moments bring the entire world into one place the way the FIFA World Cup does. “So many major sporting events take shape here,” Paul said. “But this one, you feel the energy, the passion, the opportunity to share
your message with the world and continue to elevate your city, your region. ” That elevation begins with the matches themselves and the names attached to them. The Group Stage alone reads like a global tour. Beginning on June 14, the Netherlands, anchored by Virgil van Dijk, opens Group F against a feisty Japan side that stunned Germany and Spain in the 2022 World Cup Group Stage. Followed by defending champions, Argentina, coming with Lionel Messi twice. Not to mention, a top 10 matchup as Jude Bellingham and England will take on Luka Modric and Croatia. For seasoned soccer fans, those matchups speak for themselves. For newcomers, they’ll explain how meaningful the World Cup truly is through airports full of international fans, watch parties throughout the metroplex, and chants passionately ringing outside of AT&T Stadium. Paul sees those moments as seeds. “The opportunity for young kids to see their idol play, and what we can truly do through this World Cup for legacy not only in the sport of
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s Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission •
soccer, but for our region, for the overall sports environment here locally, ” she said. “It’s hard to put into words the magnitude of this. ” Once the excitement of the schedule had settled in, the work intensified. Hosting matches is only part of the assignment. Hosting teams fully, properly, and competitively is the next challenge. Across North Texas, national teams have begun touring training facilities and hotels, assessing every detail at the World Cup level. “Working with each of [the teams] to see if we can fulfill what they want is probably our biggest immediate challenge, ” he said, noting teams are evaluating weight rooms, turf quality, and overall infrastructure. Several teams have already conducted walkthroughs, and the ambition is clear. “We hope that we don’t just fill them, but we fill them with global powerhouses, ” Hunt said. Inside AT&T Stadium, preparation is equally exciting. The pitch, the single most important element in the sport, is being treated as such. Chad Estis, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium, said the World Cup demands a fundamentally different approach. “Obviously, when you install temporary pitches in indoor venues, there’s a lot to consider, ” Estis said. “We’ve been putting grass pitches in the building for years, but when you’re doing that over a Gold Cup or a weekend, you’re in essence installing turf over the cement. And, as we all know, that’s not the best result. It’s not world-class. ”
This time, it will be. Grass is being grown specifically for the tournament. Irrigation systems are being installed. Grow lights will descend from the roof. “I think it’s rather unique,” Estis said. “We’re going to grow grass for nine matches in an indoor stadium over two months.” FIFA, he added, has brought in “the greatest experts in the world on how to develop a playing surface.” Beyond the games and the pitch, the impact stretches throughout our region. According to a FIFA and Deloitte study, North Texas is projected to generate between $1.5 and $2.1 billion from the FIFA World Cup. Hotels, restaurants, transportation, and tourism will feel it first, but leaders are focused on what lasts. “I hope that businesses want to move here because they see what a dynamic community this is,” Dan Hunt said. “I hope that our international visitors think that this might be a great place to relocate to.” He also said he hopes the World Cup “lifts all soccer.” For Paul, that lift is the point. Not just the matches, not just the numbers, but the moment when a region sees itself on the world stage and realizes it belongs there. The draw didn’t just assign opponents. It set a tone. And in the summer of 2026, North Texas won’t be watching the World Cup arrive. It will be where it lives. Stay up to date with all FIFA World Cup 26 news and announcements, including tickets at dallasfwc26.com
B e y o n d t h e D r a w : T h e S c h e d u l e , T h e L e g a c y, T h e I m p a c t o f F I FA Wo r l d C u p 2 6 | 5
A BANNER YEAR:
EVENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & BIG WINS OF 2025 By: Alex Gilbert
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
As the year comes to a close, people around the world are reflecting on the past twelve months and looking ahead to what’s next. We at the Dallas Sports Commission are no different as we feel the excitement and anticipation of another remarkable year drawing to a close. This December feels especially bright as we celebrate the Dallas Sports Commission’s (DSC) many successes and build on the strong foundation leading us into what promises to be an extraordinary 2026. From world-class competitions to inspiring community initiatives and historic milestones on the road to the FIFA World Cup 26™, 2025 was nothing short of a BIG win. Join us as we take a look back at this incredible year. In 2025, the DSC hosted more than 60 events spanning nearly every sport imaginable. The year began with the end of another adrenaline-pumping college football season with the ServPro First Responder Bowl and the Cotton Bowl Classic attracting thousands of fans. Always our bread and butter, world-class youth events were front and center in the spring. The NCA High School and All-Star National Championships, the American Volleyball Challenge, Texas Tough Invitational, ECNL Texas, Dallas Cup, and Lone Star Classic had some of their best years to date. Dallas showcased its impressive range by embracing
both long-standing sporting traditions and emerging competitions. Youth innovation shone at the VEX Robotics World Championship and BEST of Texas Robotics, while ESL FACEIT Group’s Dreamhack Festival attracted esports fans from around the world. Summer and fall saw even more excitement, including major international soccer action with the Concacaf Gold Cup, State Fair Clasico match between Dallas Trinity FC and Club America, and Mexico vs. Columbia in MexTour. The Copa Kin: Read to Win literacy challenge, facilitated by the DSC in conjunction with MexTour, resulted in over 5M minutes read by local students. In later months, fan favorites like the 100th State Fair Classic, Red River Rivalry, and the Pickleball World Championships had yet another landmark year. The Firefighter Challenge World Championship brought firefighter teams from around the globe to compete in the toughest two minutes in sports, a record-breaking attendance at the Edward Jones Big 12 Football Championship, and a sold-out 2025 BMW Dallas Marathon added to the long list of successes for the year. Still on the horizon, the ServPro First Responder Bowl, Dallas ISD Holiday Basketball Invitational,
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s Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic are poised to deliver more memorable, high-energy moments. Amid this busy calendar, the DSC also collaborated with SMU’s Sports Management program to launch the inaugural Global Sports Business Summit. Featuring prominent voices from across the industry, the summit was an exciting opportunity for thought leadership and affirmed the Commission’s position as North Texas’s preeminent sports authority. Beyond headline events, the DSC made an enduring impact through our community initiatives. The 67th Annual Dallas Regional Spelling Bee, co-hosted with WFAA, was one of the best on record. Over 800 schools and 100,000+ students participated, with 20+ counties represented from across North Texas. The journey culminated in triumph with three Dallas spellers, Faizan Zaki, Avishka Dudala, and Shreyansh Zadoo, qualifying for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Faizan Zaki brought home the national championship, finally finding success after several years competing at the national level. Meanwhile, the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program continued to change young lives. In 2025, the initiative broke new records, distributing over 10,000 tickets to youths and families. This achievement marks a new record for distribution, more than doubling previous years thanks to incredible supporting partners. To date, more than 25,000 tickets have reached local families, impacting over 3,000 youth since the program’s launch. The DSC’s work to invest in the next generation and the community of Dallas continues to be one of our proudest accomplishments. No reflection on our year would be complete without spotlighting the massive strides Dallas made in preparation to host the FIFA World Cup 26. Early in the year, Dallas was named as the site
for FIFA’s International Broadcast Center, which is a privilege that positions the city as the media heartbeat of the tournament. Spring saw the unveiling of the city’s unique World Cup Sonic ID and Host City Poster, artistically capturing Dallas’ spirit, diversity, and swagger for an intercontinental audience. As momentum continued to build, influential North Texans stepped into leadership when Dan Hunt of FC Dallas and industry leader Nina Vaca were named as co-chairs of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. The region’s passion shone as more than 60,000 volunteers stepped forward to apply to be an official volunteer for 2026, and Fair Park’s volunteer center opened as a vital hub for preparations. On December 5, anticipation peaked with the Official FIFA Draw, which secured legendary teams Argentina, England, Japan, Croatia, the Netherlands, Austria, and Jordan for group-stage matches at Dallas Stadium. With lineups now set, teams are looking to Dallas as their home away from home, and we eagerly await the announcement of which nations will choose our city as their Base Camp. We at the Dallas Sports Commission are honored to help make Dallas the unbeatable sports city it is. 2025 was a year of vision, partnership, and unmistakable determination. From our team to yours, here’s to an even brighter 2026. We can’t wait to welcome the world!
VIEW FULL ‘25 EVENT RESUME
A B a n n e r Ye a r : E v e n t s , A n n o u n c e m e n t s , & B i g W i n s o f 2 0 2 5 | 7
PROS AT HOME IN
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THE COMMISSION FIFA WOrld CUP 26™ DALLAS Match Schedule
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Call of Duty League optic texas major i tournament The 2026 CDL Major I, presented by Monster Energy, takes over Moody Coliseum, launching the new season in the heart of Dallas. OpTic Texas and SMU hosts a weekend packed with elite Call of Duty competition, high-energy crowds, and nonstop action in the first Major of the season. Experience every moment live as the journey to the 2026 World Championship begins January 29 - February 1, 2026.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
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SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDERS BOWL 2025 DECEMBER 26 GERALD J. FORD STADIUM
PWHL TAKEOVER TOUR DECEMBER 28 AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER
DALLAS ISD DR PEPPER HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL DECEMBER 29 - 31 MULTIPLE DALLAS ISD VENUES
GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC DECEMBER 31 AT&T STADIUM
REVEL DANCE DALLAS
JANUARY 23 - 25 EMBASSY SUITES DENTON CONVENTION CENTER
TEXAS TOUGH INVITATIONAL JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 2 FAIR PARK DALLAS
CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE OPTIC TEXAS MAJOR I JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 1 MOODY COLISEUM AT SMU
NRG DANCE - DALLAS FEBRUARY 6 - 8 HYATT REGENCY DFW
ECNL TEXAS FEBRUARY 14 - 16 MONEYGRAM SOCCER PARK/TOYOTA SOCCER CENTER
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Interested in becoming a part of some of the world’s biggest sporting events from right here in our backyard? Register to volunteer with the Dallas Sports Commission today! Some upcoming volunteer opportunities include:
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Dallas Trinity FC Home Games; August 2025 - May 2026
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90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic The Ohio State University Headlines the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, set to take on the winner of Texas A&M vs Miami on New Years Eve at AT&T Stadium for a spot in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat while you still can!
Purchase Tickets Here
Vo l u n t e e r V i c t o r i e s - C o t t o n B o w l C l a s s i c | 1 1
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THANKING OUR EVERYDAY HEROES THE SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDER BOWL RETURNS TO DALLAS IN DECEMBER By: Peyton Lawrence
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports
First responders serve as the backbone for communities around the world; ensuring the health and safety of millions of civilians every day. Their dedication to service and sacrifice is honorable, especially as their line of work is often dangerous and always difficult. While it is nearly impossible to thank first responders for all they do, events that honor these individuals provide a chance for both relaxation and recognition for these everyday heroes. Each year, Dallas is proud to serve as host for the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, a college football bowl game held at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Initially founded in 2011, the game was formerly known as both the TicketCity Bowl and the Heart of Dallas Bowl. In 2014, ESPN Events adopted the event and shifted the focus to honoring North Texas’ first responders. The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl moniker was given to the event in 2018, and the name and title sponsor have been consistent since. This year, the showdown will be between the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners
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and Florida International University Panthers on December 26th at 7:00 PM. The two teams have faced off four times before, with each team winning twice. The matchup will be an exciting game of football, as both teams have competitive season records and bowl game appearances within the last six years.
Tickets to the game are completely free of charge to the men and women who give so much of themselves in the name of public service. The game’s corporate sponsors underwrite and donate thousands of tickets each year, and
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports
with each annual game, the number of donated tickets only grows. Tickets are available for police and fire - the most widely recognized first responders - but also for other unsung heroes like emergency medical personnel, 911 dispatchers, search and rescue, security guards, correctional officers, and more. In recognition of the support that loved ones provide, each first responder can receive up to four tickets for the game, providing the opportunity to make holiday memories with family and friends. The bowl game’s impact is much bigger than just the teams on the field, however. Gameday is filled with moments that champion Dallas-area first responders and their experiences, and great care is given to the details that make the day memorable. The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl partners with several area charities, including The Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas, a non-profit that supports the families of fallen peace officers and firefighters. Guns and Hoses hosts an annual cookout before the game to feed responders and their families and provide pre-game socialization. Non-profits also participate in Responders Row, an area of the AT&T FirstNet Fan Zone where organizations share information about services and resources with attendees. In addition to the charitable organizations that participate, the First Responder Bowl involves the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire Rescue directly. This year, the national anthem will be performed by a Dallas Police officer, and the color guard will consist of representatives from both Dallas Police and Dallas Fire. In recognition of the friendly rivalry that exists between fire and police departments, each football team participating in the bowl game is assigned to represent either fire or police. When the representative team scores a touchdown, the respective department’s siren is sounded.
Finally, the game includes a special ceremony for recipients of the Star of Texas Award, an honor given to first responders who were seriously injured or lost their lives in the line of duty. Issued each year in September by the Texas Public Safety Office, this award recognizes the sacrifices given by injured or killed Texas peace officers, firefighters, federal law enforcement officers, emergency medical responders, and private citizens who aided these responders. The First Responder Bowl invites these esteemed guests or their families onto the field for recognition by other responders and civilians alike. In future years, the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl looks to continue impacting more Dallas-area heroes through both complimentary tickets and new special programming. Soon, there may be more engaging Fire vs. Police competition or expanded fan experience. In the meantime, this annual bowl game will stand to thank the first responders who make the North Texas region a safer place to be. Complimentary tickets for active and retired first responders are now available through a third-party organization, called 1st Tix. Responders can visit 1sttix.org to claim tickets now. All other tickets are also available for purchase for fans at link below.
FIND TICKETS HERE
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