Arlington, Texas Mayor Jim Ross says he is not worried about the $8.5 million in World Cup-related expenses his city has incurred ahead of the 2026 tournament's arrival, expecting reimbursement from state and federal partners. The former Arlington police officer turned independent mayor spoke with POLITICO as his city prepares to host six group-stage matches at Dallas Stadium, including contests featuring the Netherlands, Japan, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan starting Sunday.
Arlington has spent hundreds of millions on professional sports stadiums over three decades, with voters approving such spending three times: twice for baseball stadiums and once for the football venue now hosting World Cup matches. The city of 400,000 has previously hosted a World Series, Super Bowl, NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four, and major concerts. Ross argues that AT&T Stadium alone provides $324 million in annual economic benefits to local businesses.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative officials and business leaders argue that stadium investments are essential economic development tools that create jobs, attract tourism, and generate tax revenue for municipalities. Supporters contend that Arlington's approach demonstrates how public-private partnerships can position smaller cities as regional entertainment destinations competing with larger metropolitan areas.
Mayor Ross has defended professional sports investment as a net positive for his community, noting that voters have repeatedly approved stadium measures at the ballot box. The Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, assured Ross during a recent meeting at the Governor's Mansion that public safety resources would be available and reimbursement discussions were ongoing. Ross argued that cities like Arlington deserve recognition for their infrastructure investments rather than criticism, stating: "We're a smaller big city" that has built something unique by hosting major events consistently.
What the Left Is Saying
Critics of stadium subsidies argue that public funding for professional sports venues disproportionately benefits team owners and wealthy spectators rather than ordinary residents. Progressive policy analysts have long contended that cities like Arlington could invest those hundreds of millions in infrastructure, schools, or affordable housing with more measurable returns for taxpayers. The concern about regular fans being priced out of World Cup matches has resonated across the political spectrum, with New York officials publicly pressing FIFA on ticket costs.
Progressive economists point to studies suggesting that sports stadium subsidies rarely deliver promised economic returns to surrounding communities. Some Arlington residents have questioned whether the city truly benefits from public spending on venues, noting that game-day traffic around the stadiums creates challenges for daily commuters and local businesses not associated with events. The absence of a mass transit system in Arlington, the largest U.S. city without one, means many low-income residents cannot easily access stadium events even when tickets are available.
What the Numbers Show
Arlington has spent hundreds of millions on sports facilities over three decades through voter-approved measures. The city's AT&T Stadium generates an estimated $324 million in annual economic benefits according to figures cited by Ross. Arlington's current World Cup expenses total $8.5 million, pending reimbursement from state and federal sources.
The 2026 World Cup will bring six group-stage matches to the Dallas metropolitan area, with Argentina playing three of those contests against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27. The Netherlands faces Japan in the first match scheduled for Sunday. Arlington's population stands at approximately 400,000 residents, making it the largest city in the United States without a mass transit system.
Parking near stadium venues costs hundreds of dollars per event, while officials have arranged shuttle services using regional commuter rail and buses to supplement rideshare options. FIFA has provided free tickets to veterans and first responders as part of its community access programs.
The Bottom Line
Arlington's experience represents a test case for whether major sporting events deliver on their economic promises to host cities. Ross has staked his mayoral legacy on the stadium investment strategy, betting that state and federal reimbursement will cover World Cup costs while ongoing tourism revenue justifies decades of public spending.
The debate over ticket prices and fan access reflects broader tensions in how major sporting events impact communities. Whether Arlington's model works financially will likely influence future municipal decisions about sports venue subsidies nationwide. The first World Cup matches begin Sunday as city officials finalize transportation arrangements for what they anticipate will be significant visitor traffic.