This eagle landed at the FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas last Thursday. Photo: Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi/Axios
World Cup fans who can't afford match tickets have been hitting up the FIFA Fan Festival instead.
Why it matters: Most of the 2026 host cities have kept their fan festivals free, hoping to give locals a more affordable way to enjoy the tournament.
International visitors are also adding fan festivals to their itinerary as they follow their teams throughout the U.S.
By the numbers: Dallas' Fan Festival site has a capacity of roughly 35,000 at any given time, Noelle LeVeaux, a spokesperson for the North Texas FIFA World Cup organizing committee, tells Axios.
Reality check: Forget about riding the Texas Star or snapping a selfie with the Hall of State — the festival isn't on the fairgrounds.
We paid $20 in cash to park in an unpaved area a few blocks away.
Vibe check: Turf, TVs, shades and carnival-style food stalls made us forget we were roaming parking lots adjacent to the State Fair of Texas site.
The activations include free sunscreen, water fountains, cooling towels and customizable charm bracelets with long wait times.
Dos Equis Pavilion has a large screen and can accommodate thousands of fans at once. There are screens throughout the site.
Follow the money: Expenses can add up. Water and soda cost $7. Food options include a slice of pickle pizza for $14 and a cheeseburger basket for $18.
Pro tip: The amphitheater has lots of seating for GA ticket holders. It helps to arrive early and claim a good spot.
The bottom line: "Don't just come for the game and don't just stop at the food. Go to the end of the route — walk the whole thing and actually talk to people," says Kaden Ballard, who has been to the festival several times.
