Transportation officials say years of planning are paying off as North Texas hosts the FIFA Club World Cup, with the first three matches at Dallas Stadium running smoothly despite large crowds and summer heat.
Leaders with the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and the North Texas Council of Central Governments said Tuesday they are pleased with how fans have traveled to and from the stadium using trains, charter buses, rideshare services, and personal vehicles.
"We couldn't be happier with the development of the plan and the execution of the plan," said Michael Morris, transportation director for the NTCOCG. "Things, in our opinion, are going extremely well. Everyone is getting into the stadium on time, and the stadium is unloading on time."
The transportation plan has been years in the making and relies on multiple agencies, including DART, Trinity Metro, the Trinity Railway Express, officials with Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW Airport, and Dallas Love Field.
Fans taking public transit ride the TRE to CentrePort Station before boarding charter buses for the final trip to the stadium. Morris said the shuttle buses are making the trip in about 20 minutes, and officials have not needed to activate backup buses that were reserved in case rail service became overcrowded.
"We have not triggered the bus bridge," Morris said. "We have room for additional capacity."
Officials estimate between 5,000 and 6,000 fans have used the transit system for each match, well below the 10,000-passenger threshold that would require additional shuttle buses. They also said stadium parking continues to have available space, giving fans multiple transportation options.
Monica Paul and Michael MorrisNorth Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee
Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, said organizers will continue monitoring each match but do not anticipate significant changes.
"Right now, it is running smoothly," Paul said. "The planning has paid off, but we just want to take it one day at a time."
Officials believe the success of the transportation plan could strengthen North Texas' ability to attract future national and global sporting events, including another Super Bowl, the NCAA Men's Final Four, WrestleMania, and the FIFA Women's World Cup if the region is selected to host in 2031.
For now, organizers say the focus remains on successfully moving fans through the six remaining FIFA Club World Cup matches in North Texas.
