Residents of Arlington, Texas, are expressing anger over the announcement that AT&T Stadium will be rebranded as “Dallas Stadium” for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. This name change, effective for the duration of the global event, has drawn significant criticism from locals who feel it misrepresents their city.
Outrage Over ‘Dallas Stadium’ Name Change
The venue, located approximately 20 miles from Dallas and in Tarrant County, has sparked backlash online. Many Arlington residents have voiced their frustration, stating that the renaming is misleading and not reflective of the stadium’s actual location. One resident remarked, “It’s NOT IN Dallas, it’s not even in Dallas County!”
Another added, “As an Arlington native, I am upset. It’s in Tarrant County. It’s nowhere NEAR Dallas County.” Some commenters have described the change as confusing, suggesting it should be called Arlington Stadium during the tournament.
Support for the Rebranding
Despite the controversy, some individuals believe the outrage stems primarily from Arlington locals. One user commented, “No one cares except people from Arlington.” The rebranding is part of a broader initiative affecting several stadiums across North America, aimed at complying with FIFA regulations.
Overview of 2026 FIFA World Cup Plans
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be held across various locations in North America, will see venues undergo temporary name changes. FIFA rules restrict naming rights related to corporate sponsorships during the tournament, hence the need for more generic alternatives.
List of Venue Name Changes
- Atlanta Stadium: From Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Capacity: 75,000)
- Boston Stadium: From Gillette Stadium (Capacity: 70,000)
- Dallas Stadium: From AT&T Stadium (Capacity: 93,000)
- Houston Stadium: From NRG Stadium (Capacity: 72,000)
- Kansas City Stadium: From GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Capacity: 76,000)
- Los Angeles Stadium: From SoFi Stadium (Capacity: 70,000)
- Miami Stadium: From Hard Rock Stadium (Capacity: 68,000)
- New York/New Jersey Stadium: From MetLife Stadium (Capacity: 87,000)
- Philadelphia Stadium: From Lincoln Financial Field (Capacity: 69,000)
- San Francisco Bay Area Stadium: From Levi’s Stadium (Capacity: 71,000)
- Seattle Stadium: From Lumen Field (Capacity: 69,000)
- Toronto Stadium: From BMO Field (Capacity: 45,000)
The draw for the World Cup is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where the participating teams will be organized into 12 groups.
The upcoming tournament represents an important moment for U.S. soccer, and Arlington’s residents are hoping their city’s identity will not be overshadowed during this global sporting event.
