Arlington PD Shares Plans for Securing FIFA World Cup 26
Published on June 03, 2026
By Arlington Police Department
With the start of FIFA World Cup 26 just days away, the Arlington Police Department is sharing more information about how they plan to keep fans and the rest of the city safe.
“We’ve hosted a lot of big events in Arlington,” said Chief of Police Al Jones. “The World Cup is, without question, the biggest yet. I believe we and all our public safety partners will rise to the moment.”
From the time Arlington was announced as a host city four years ago, APD and their law enforcement partners have been busy preparing. Members of the APD Event Management Unit traveled to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to learn more about the scale of the event and the footprint required to secure it. Department leaders have met and continue to meet with FIFA, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, and dozens of local, state, and federal public safety partners to coordinate resources, determine staffing, and develop a robust safety plan. APD units have also participated in multiple training scenarios with regional partners in preparation for the tournament.
“Our top priority is to make sure fans are safe and have a great time when they come to Arlington on match days,” said Chief Jones. “Here in North Texas, we are very good at working together. That’s going to be critical for us during the World Cup.”
Increased police presence
Dallas Stadium in Arlington will host nine matches throughout the tournament, which is more than any other city in North America.
On match days, fans should expect to see a significant and highly visible law enforcement presence around the Arlington Entertainment District – greater than what they would typically experience for a Cowboys game or major concert.
In addition to uniformed officers, several plain clothes officers will be in the Entertainment District conducting operations. There will also be less visible law enforcement personnel posted in strategic locations.
The department will use technology such as drones and street cameras to help monitor crowd activity.
Keeping the rest of the city safe
Personnel from more than 30 outside agencies will be coming to the Entertainment District to assist APD officers on match days. These partnerships will ensure that APD has enough officers to secure the Entertainment District and maintain normal police staffing to respond to emergencies in other parts of the city.
“I really want to drive that point home to our residents,” said Chief Jones. “If you need help and you call 911 during the World Cup, an APD officer will be available to respond. This event will not impact the level of service you receive.”
Drone safety
For everyone’s safety, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) will be in effect around Dallas Stadium in Arlington on match days. All unauthorized drones will be prohibited within a three-nautical mile radius of the stadium and up to 3,000 feet above ground level.
Anyone caught operating an unauthorized drone within this “No Drone Zone” can face fines of up to $100,000, drone confiscation and federal criminal charges, with federal law enforcement identifying operators, seizing drones, and supporting prosecution.
Drone operators are strongly encouraged to check for TFRs using B4UFLY apps or official TFR Notices .
The City of Arlington has long used drone detection technology in the Entertainment District, which can help law enforcement detect and locate any unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace.
During the World Cup, federal law enforcement partners will bring additional mitigation technology to the area that will enable them to overtake and land any unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace.
Additional information for fans
On match days, the City of Arlington will work to get fans in and out of the Entertainment District as quickly and safely as possible. Fans are encouraged to give themselves plenty of time to get to the stadium.
There may be temporary road closures for pre-approved fan activities or police escorts.
Additionally, there will be road closures and secured areas immediately around Dallas Stadium in Arlington that are different from what fans may be used to. For example, portions of AT&T Way and Cowboys Way will be closed to traffic -- and several of the surrounding parking lots will be inaccessible to members of the general public.
Most fans will be required to enter the stadium through the east and west plazas. Fans are strongly encouraged to check their tickets prior to entering the plazas so they know which entrance they should use. There will be additional ticket checkpoints inside the stadium that fans will not be able to pass through to get from one side to the other unless they are ticketed for that specific area.
APD asks fans not to buy food or merchandise from any non-licensed vendors that may show up around the Entertainment District. Officers will be out looking for any unauthorized vendors and conducting enforcement.
Finally, APD urges fans to report any suspicious activity or behavior.