Dallas also hosted the International Broadcast Center during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
DALLAS — Dallas will be the official home of FIFA’s International Broadcast Center (IBC) for the 2026 World Cup, according to FIFA Chief Business and Strategy Officer Amy Hopfinger.
It’ll be housed in the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in downtown Dallas.
The IBC serves as the temporary home for television and radio reporters from around the world during the World Cup and could bring approximately 2,000 broadcasters to Dallas from January 2026 to the end of July 2026, Hopfinger said. It will also serve as the headquarters for FIFA’s Host Broadcaster, Media Partners, Content Production Department and Football Technology and Innovation Department.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called the day a “true milestone” for the history of the city, cementing Dallas’ reputation as an epicenter for international sports.
“Being selected as host city of the FIFA World Cup 2026 International Broadcast Centre is a monumental win for Dallas and a testament to our global appeal and readiness to shine on the world stage,” said Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “I am thrilled that the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will serve as a hub to showcase our city, its rich culture and the hospitality of our community to millions of viewers around the globe.”
In December 2024, city council approved a $15 million package intended to fund the necessary upgrades for the building to meet FIFA’s regulations.
Dallas also hosted the IBC in 1994 when the World Cup was last in the United States and was held in Fair Park.
FC Dallas owner and chairman Dan Hunt, who heads the Dallas bid committee, has been very vocal about his interest in securing the IBC for the 2026 World Cup. Hunt’s father, Lamar Hunt, helped bring the IBC to Fair Park in 1994.
“This is really important to me and is great for our city,” Hunt told WFAA in August 2024 about securing the IBC. “It’s a great economic impact. My dad was so proud in 1994 to have the International Broadcast Center. That was something I didn’t really appreciate at the time – I was in high school. I knew it was important, but I didn’t understand truly what it meant for our city, our community and he was so proud.”
According to FIFA, events from the World Cup (including the IBC and FIFA Fan Festival) are expected to generate $2 billion in economic revenue.
The IBC will offer a range of services to meet the needs of the large group of experts, specialists and staff helping to cover the FIFA World Cup to over 200 countries worldwide, including a 24-hour cafeteria, a lounge, concession stands, a convenience store, a gift shop, express shipping, banking and dry cleaning, officials said.
“Securing the International Broadcast Centre firmly places the city of Dallas and our North Texas region at the center of the world’s attention during FIFA World Cup 2026,” said North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee President Monica Paul. “It is a tremendous honor to host thousands of media professionals at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, as they will highlight our city and region throughout the entirety of the tournament, once again showcasing our city and region’s ability to collaborate and deliver on a global scale.”
2026 FIFA World Cup: Latest updates
We’re a little over a year away from the World Cup officially kicking off in North America.
With the announcement of the International Broadcast Center, the next steps will be to determine which nations compete in the tournament. Some World Cup qualifying matches are taking place later this month around the world, but the field of 48 teams will start to take shape this fall.
Here is a breakdown of how FIFA qualifying works in the different regions of the world and when they’re expected to finish.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will get underway on June 11, 2026 from Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It’ll conclude after 39 days when the final two nations square off on July 19, 2026 from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Among the 16 host cities, Arlington’s AT&T Stadium will host nine matches, more than all the other 15: five group stage matches, two round of 32 matches, one round of 16 match and a semifinal.
