How the World Cup will transform AT&T Stadium with natural grass and more
As North Texas prepares to welcome the 2026 World Cup, all eyes will turn to AT&T Stadium — or as it will be known during the tournament, Dallas Stadium — where the games will be played.
The biggest challenge will be growing and installing a grass field, a requirement for the World Cup, and adjusting the field’s dimensions to match soccer instead of American football.
Chad Estis, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president of business operations, explained how that makeover will happen. He said AT&T Stadium manager Todd Martin has set up a full irrigation system while working with turf experts and specialists with FIFA, soccer’s international governing body.
“I think we’re going to have as good of a playing surface as there is in the world,” Estis said. “An indoor stadium from a temporary perspective, and it’s never been done like that before. So, yes, it’s a little nerve-wracking, but super exciting, and we’re highly confident.”
The pitch, or field, will be grown on a farm in Colorado, and there is a backup pitch ready in case something should go awry.
North Texas FWC Organizing Committee president Monica Paul and co-chair Dan Hunt offered more details on the stadium’s transformation.
“What they’re starting with is raising that floor of AT&T Stadium,” Hunt said. “The length is not the problem. You know, a soccer pitch is usually around 114 yards long. The width is the issue. American football fields are 53 yards and a couple feet, and so we’ve got to raise the field and take up a little bit of the seating bolt to get the width we need, which will be, you know, around 74 yards wide.”
The construction will begin in February after the conclusion of the NFL season and other conflicting events.
While the Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones have invested $300 million into the stadium in recent years, that does not account for the cost of installing the grass, changing the field’s dimensions or any other expenditure from adjusting the field for the World Cup.
Paul said she did not yet have a number for the cost of those additions.
Hunt said Jones has been actively involved in getting the stadium ready for the World Cup.
“I think I saw Jerry’s enthusiasm for being involved in this grow substantially when he was told the media numbers of viewers that watch the World Cup, which would come as no surprise to those that cover Jerry and the Dallas Cowboys,” Hunt said, “... He is into it, and so is the whole family. Very excited about it.”
AT&T Stadium will see its first World Cup match when the Netherlands and Japan face off on June 14.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM.
