Fresh off of hosting WrestleMania 38, rather than basking in its success, the Dallas Sports Commission is focused solely on the future and attracting more events to the metroplex.
"Tomorrow we're going to be announcing a Mex (Mexico National Soccer Team) tour - who the opponent will be in May," Monica Paul, the Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission told KRLD. "That's the end of a five-year deal and hopefully, we can expand upon that because the Mexican National Team their home away from home is Dallas."
Paul also discussed their ongoing push to host the 2026 soccer World Cup games of which: "We want at least six matches minimum. We have been very vocal that we want a finals" ... "plus five, six other matches."
Soccer is thriving in the area with Dallas FC currently fifth in the MLS Western Conference after a 3-1 win against the Colorado Rapids. The Toyota Stadium-based-side has found great success in recent years in developing young talents such as Ricardo Pepi, Justin Che, and Weston McKennie.
Then there are the commission's college basketball plans.
"We're working on a future men's Final Four bid for 2028 to 2031, as well as a women's Final Four bid for those same years," Paul said.
"Getting ready to host the women's Final Four in 2023, and not only division one but division two and three, and really hone in on that celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX."
The women's Final Four is set to take place between March 31st and April 2nd of 2023 at the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars.
Then there's a sport that, while seemingly growing in popularity, is still new to many Texans.
"(The) Rugby World Cup for 2031 is fast approaching, so World Rugby should be making a decision at the end of May in terms of if the United States will be hosting that, and I think with our venues, obviously, the [Dallas] Jackals play a big role in that being our professional rugby team there and just a lot of different opportunities," Paul said. "A women's Rugby World Cup is a potential for 2033."
2022 has marked the debut season for the Choctaw Stadium-based Jackals who have endured a tough year to date, currently 0-9 and bottom of Major League Rugby's Western Conference.
But then there's one sporting event which even the most casual viewers will be well aware of.
"We always hope that another Super Bowl is coming right around the corner at some point as well, I think we're due from 2011," Paul said.
In fact, Super Bowl XLV was the only Super Bowl to be held in the DFW metroplex to date. The next three locations have been confirmed with Arizona, Las Vegas, and New Orleans, so perhaps 2026 is the year the Super Bowl can finally return to North Texas.
If not, well there's plenty of other events to look forward to.
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