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The city has long been considered a frontrunner for the TV and radio hub, which would bring thousands of media members and even more economic impact to North Texas. But in recent days it's become clear that the city is close to sealing the deal, including ratifying an agreement to spend millions of dollars preparing for the selection. Learn the latest in this story and what it could mean for Dallas.
Dallas is on the verge of securing the International Broadcast Center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The city has long been considered a frontrunner for the TV and radio hub, which would bring thousands of media members and even more economic impact to North Texas. But in recent days it’s become clear that the city is close to sealing the deal, including ratifying an agreement to spend millions of dollars preparing for the selection.
Dallas City Council is scheduled to vote Dec. 11 on an eight-month deal allowing FIFA to use the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center for the International Broadcaster Center, or IBC as it’s more commonly known. The council’s ad hoc committee on professional sports recruitment and retention on Dec. 2 forwarded the proposal to the full council.
FIFA, soccer’s governing body, has not yet announced where the IBC will be located. But city officials and World Cup organizers have already scheduled a press conference to take place after next week’s council meeting, pending approval of the agreement.
“We are confident that we have placed the best bid in front of FIFA and the City of Dallas, and look forward to having a positive outcome during the City Council vote next week,” Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission and an instrumental figure in recruiting and preparing for the World Cup, said in a statement.
Getting the IBC would be a big win for Dallas. Cities across the U.S. have been vying for the IBC ever since FIFA selected the World Cup host sites in February. Dallas-Fort Worth will host nine games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, more than any other tournament location, but local leaders were disappointed when the region was not selected to host the final match of the world’s most popular sporting event.
New York, which FIFA selected as the host for the World Cup Final, has also been viewed as logical choice for the IBC. Atlanta also expressed interest in hosting the IBC, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in June. And Miami has also been in the running after FIFA opened a 60,000-square-foot office just outside of the city in Coral Gables, the Miami Herald reported.
OVG360, a division of Denver-based Oak View Group LLC that manages Dallas’ convention center, has been negotiating a deal with FIFA since DFW was selected as World Cup host site in February. In June, the council authorized the city manager to get involved in negotiations since some of the items requested by FIFA fell outside the purview of OVG’s contract.
The proposed agreement would provide FIFA with exclusive use of the convention center from Jan. 14, 2026 through Aug. 24, 2026. The footprint does not include the Dallas Memorial Auditorium and exhibit halls D, E and F. During the World Cup, the convention center would be known as the “FIFA World Cup 26 International Broadcast Center.”
Dallas would also be on the hook for up to $15 million to cover costs associated with getting the convention center ready for the IBC. Those costs would go toward fixing the convention center’s roof, installing cargo lifts, making sure the building has enough power and other facility infrastructure changes.
Rosa Fleming, director of convention and events services for Dallas, told committee members the city has already spent $8.5 million of the planned expenses as part of the ongoing $3 billion overhaul underway at the convention center so it can continue to host events during construction.
Fleming said she does not expect the city to end up having to spend the full $15 million and a portion of the money could be made back through renting the building.
“If I had a crystal ball, I would say we are probably not going to spend that entire $15 million,” Fleming said. “I think our negotiations with FIFA are going really well. I think it is just good planning on our part to make sure that we’ve got the approval to set the funds aside so that there’s not a slowdown if we do have to spend that entire amount.”
City council members said the expense is worth the return on investment Dallas will see. Brett Wilkinson, public affairs specialist for convention and events services, said there will be an estimated 2,000 broadcasters working out of the IBC in summer 2026. Paul said a study by FIFA estimated the World Cup will generate $2 billion in economic impact for the Dallas-Fort Worth region as a whole, inclusive of the IBC.
“Having the International Broadcast Center is like icing on an already gigantic World Cup cake,” Councilman Omar Narvaez said.
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