Inside Arlington's World Cup Public Safety Preparations

Published on June 02, 2026

By Cynthia Lemus, Office of Communication

As Arlington prepares to host nine matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, public safety officials say years of planning and regional collaboration are helping ensure residents and visitors can enjoy the event safely.

In the latest episode of Arlington Welcomes the World, leaders from the Arlington Police Department and Arlington Fire Department discussed how they are preparing for one of the largest sporting events in the world while maintaining normal service levels for the community.

Deputy Chief Leo Daniels said APD has developed a staffing model that allows officers to support World Cup operations without impacting neighborhood patrols or emergency response.

“We have our folks who are going to be ready to work the streets, and then we have a different team that's going to be working in the stadium and all of the venues,” Daniels said. “We are staffed up. We're ready to go.”

Visitors can expect a strong law enforcement presence throughout the Entertainment District, supported by local, state and federal partners.

“We have over 70 local agencies who, in some capacity, may be working with us,” Daniels said.

The Arlington Fire Department has also expanded staffing and emergency response resources to support the anticipated influx of visitors.

Division Chief Jon Padilla said the department has increased coverage throughout the Entertainment District and strategically positioned resources to respond quickly to emergencies.

“We've expanded our coverage to capture our public safety efforts for the Entertainment District because we know we're going to have an abundance of international attendees and local visitors,” Padilla said.

With summer temperatures expected during the tournament, the department is also implementing a heat mitigation strategy that includes cooling areas, hydration support and medical teams stationed throughout the district.

“We have resources that are pre-positioned throughout the Entertainment District” to provide cooling and hydration assistance, Padilla said.

Padilla encouraged visitors to begin hydrating before arriving and to prepare for large crowds and extended periods outdoors.

“Don't wait until the day of the event,” Padilla said. “You should be preloading those hydration supplements well in advance.”

To support World Cup operations, the City is seeking reimbursement for estimated expenses not to exceed $8.1 million for public safety coordination, traffic management and transportation planning, event operations and logistics. City officials emphasized that police, fire and emergency response services for residents will remain fully staffed and uninterrupted throughout the tournament.

For updates on Arlington's preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, visit ArlingtonTX.gov/WorldCup.