Dallas deploys new digital kiosks as FIFA World Cup kicks off
Dallas officials are expanding the digital tools and public-facing resources to help residents and visitors navigate the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicked off Thursday.
The city launched a network of interactive digital kiosks developed by IT vendor IKE Smart City, offering users fan engagement opportunities and operational updates as North Texas begins hosting tournament activities this weekend.
The expanded communications effort builds on Dallas’ FIFA World Cup resource portal, released earlier this week. The portal serves as a centralized hub for transportation updates, public safety information, neighborhood impacts, emergency alerts and visitor guidance.
AT&T Stadium, located in nearby Arlington, is hosting nine matches through June and July, featuring five group-stage games and the first semi-final match. The city is also hosting the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park, a free public event where fans can watch matches, access tournament programming and receive event information.
“By offering free directory listings to our small businesses and brand activations, we are ensuring that the economic benefits of this innovative technology are felt directly within our communities,” Ahmed Goree, chief of staff to the Dallas city manager, said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Deep Ellum neighborhood Thursday.
Goree added that Dallas could welcome roughly 3.8 million visitors during this year’s World Cup. FIFA estimates total tournament attendance to reach between 5 million and 6.5 million spectators across the 104 matches hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — though high ticket prices and unsold seats in certain markets have sparked debate over empty-seat risks.
The city’s digital-first approach mirrors efforts underway in other host jurisdictions across the U.S., focused on transportation and mobility, public safety, infrastructure readiness, emergency management, and visitor communications.
On Wednesday, New Jersey launched a World Cup Health Hub featuring public health guidance, emergency information and surveillance resources. And Kansas City officials recently deployed mobile command centers, drone technology and enhanced communications tools to support public safety operations during World Cup events.
