DALLAS — Not only will DFW host the most World Cup matches of any region in America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Dallas now appears more likely be home to FIFA’s International Broadcast Center (IBC) during the festivities.
The IBC serves as the temporary home for television and radio reporters during the World Cup and could bring between 2,500 and 5,000 broadcasters to Downtown Dallas from May to the end of July, the Dallas Sports Commission said.
At a City Council meeting Wednesday, the city unanimously green-lit authorizing negotiations with FIFA to host the IBC at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Council also OK'd plans to redevelop and renovate the 65-year-old building and its surrounding area, with a price tag of $3 billion.
The proposed FIFA contract would last from Jan. 14, 2026 through August 2026.
After securing the most matches of the tournament – despite missing out on hosting the Final – getting the IBC was another high priority item on the Dallas Sports Commission's list.
“While we’re still waiting on final confirmation regarding the location of the 2026 International Broadcaster Center from FIFA, hosting it in Dallas in 1994 is proof that we know how to host media from across the globe," said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. "Having the International Broadcast Center in Dallas was one of our stated goals when we launched our Dallas 2026 bid. We appreciate the city of Dallas’ support in this effort. Our location, infrastructure and broadcast expertise in the market makes Dallas, once again, the perfect home for the IBC.”
In order to score the IBC, FIFA has some requirements, including fixing the building’s roof, which will cost approximately $500,000.
“This doesn’t just benefit FIFA, this benefits other clients,” said Rosa Fleming, director of convention and event services for the city of Dallas. “It’s not a full repair of the entire roof of the building. It was already a planned repair in the five-year forecast.”
Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul told city council on Wednesday that hosting the IBC opens up numerous opportunities for community engagement.
“There’s some possible opportunity in integrating our young kids who are interested in broadcasting and media,” Paul said. “We have various committees that are starting, like our Legacy Committee, to try to figure out how we integrate our local soccer teams.”
Dallas also hosted the IBC when the 1994 World Cup was in the U.S. and was held in Fair Park. The Dallas match venue for the 1994 tournament was the Cotton Bowl.
FIFA has yet to make its own announcement.
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