10 June 18 - 24, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Fill Your Cup A guide to World Cup events happening across North Texas from now through the end of the games. BY ALYSSA FIELDS T he World Cup has finally arrived in Dallas. While local games run through July 14, there are many events and things to look for- ward to far beyond just the game days. The city is taking the initiative to make sure Dallas is the place to be. All of the major institutions have launched programming, in- cluding the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Deep Ellum Association, the Nasher Sculpture Garden and many more. There’s even a bus to Buc-ee’s. Let’s be honest: when all is said and done, the actual World Cup in Dallas will be less than 12 cumulative hours. But we love a party, so we’ve gathered a list of all the things happening during the World Cup that don’t involve kicking balls. Probably. If you want to watch the games amongst fellow fans, be sure to check out our guide online to bars hosting country-specific watching parties. And if you’re just here for the food, we have a local’s guide to the Dal- las dining essentials. CULTURAL EVENTS FIFA Streaming at Cosm Dallas Through July 19 Cosm Dallas, 5776 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony Why watch the World Cup on a flat, boring Jumbotron when you could watch it on pan- oramic “shared reality” dome screens? Cosm, an 87-foot-diameter LED orb, will screen 40 World Cup games, including all those played by the U.S. Men’s National Team. It’s wall-to-wall action. Tickets in the dome start at $110. Summer of Soccer at Sundance Square Plaza Through July 19 Sundance Square Plaza, 420 Main St., Fort Worth We, the American people, are united by our love of watching sports on as big a screen as possible, and one of the best places to do it is in Fort Worth. The World Cup will be streamed in the city center for the entire tournament. Pegasus Plaza Chill Zone Through July 19 Pegasus Plaza, 1500 Main St. Need a reprieve from the scorching Texas sun between matches? Pegasus Plaza has you covered, liter- ally. The city is transforming the plaza into a desig- nated “chill zone” with ample shade, frozen treats and refreshing lemonade. En- try to the “cooling oasis in the center of the Downtown action” is free. “Unfiltered Soccer” Live with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard July 13 Krimson Park, 208 N. Market St. Former U.S. Men’s National Team mem- bers Landon Donovan and Tim Howard are recording their soccer podcast, “Unfiltered Soccer,” for live audiences across the U.S. The two athletes will take the stage in Dallas as part of an Airbnb-sponsored experience. The show will offer insider knowledge of the historic 48-team tournament from two men who have been on the field. The re- cording is free, but requires an RSVP, and a ticket does not ensure entry. The event is first-come, first-served. Soccer: More Than a Game Through Sept. 7 Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is teaching people the science of soccer. The ex- hibit’s activations measure kicking force and reflex speed, and the entrance resembles a locker room. This exhibit is fun for the family, and you’re sure to learn a lot about the phys- ics of the game. CONCERTS & FESTIVALS FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park Through July 19 Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave. The city’s official party is going on at Fair Park for 34 days. The host site for the Texas State Fair will offer watch parties on megas- creens, and not just the games streamed out of Dallas, either. The Fan Festival is pro- duced by FIFA in conjunction with the city. The screenings will occur at the Dos Equis Pavilion. The amphitheater will open an hour before the games begin and close an hour after the end. Games that begin after 10 p.m. will not be streamed. Sunset Safari Block Party June 21 Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway On June 21, a wild, sector of South Dallas will party the night away. The block party, featuring live music, special installations in the zoo, vendors and food trucks, will stretch from the newly built Halperin Park all the way to the zoo. The soccer-themed fan zone in the zoo, Goal Wild, will be open, and the massive Illuminature corridor, fea- turing large-scale light installations, will have reduced-priced tickets. Flora Street Live June 26 Sammons Park, 2403 Flora St. Flora Street Live is produced by the AT&T Performing Arts Center and will include performances at the Winspear Opera House, Annette Strauss Square, Moody Per- formance Hall and the Meyerson Symphony Center. The Square will have performances from Texas-based Shakey Graves, Broadway Dallas will put on performances of Clue, the Dallas Arts District will put on a block party, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will play music from Back to the Future. The night aims to give visitors a tour of Flora Street at its best. Main Street Social Saturdays June 20, June 27, July 4 and July 11 The city has spruced up the city center in preparation for tourists. During the World Cup, streets in downtown will be closed on Saturdays, making room for vendors, food trucks, chalk art and live music. Sports Illustrated Beyond the Pitch with Gordo June 20 1340 Manufacturing St. Sports Illustrated is throwing a party in Dallas. The magazine’s party of the cen- tury will be at the nightclub SILO in the Design District. Award-winning producer and DJ Gordo will perform as headliner, with other performers to be announced. The party is a recent initiative by SI to cel- ebrate the biggest moments in sports, usu- ally with a guest list full of influencers and celebrity athletes. ▼ Culture Mike Brooks Argentina fans in Dallas cheer the team’s World Cup win in 2022. 1/4H Hand built not bougHt. Franklins TaTToo and supply 469-904-2665 • 4910 Columbia ave, dallas, TX 75214 proFessional TaTToo supply For pros only Call for your appointment or design commissions today!
