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The Dallas City Council approved a plan to spend $15 million on upgrades to the existing Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center so that it can be the home of the 2026 World Cup’s International Broadcast Center.
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That building will eventually be torn down to make way for a new convention center as part of a $3.7 billion redevelopment project.
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City leaders say the investment is still worth it because of how much economic benefit the World Cup will bring to the region.
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The Dallas City Council approved a plan to spend $15 million on upgrades to the existing Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center so that it can be the home of the 2026 World Cup’s International Broadcast Center.
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That building will eventually be torn down to make way for a new convention center as part of a $3.7 billion redevelopment project.
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City leaders say the investment is still worth it because of how much economic benefit the World Cup will bring to the region.
DallasIn order to use the convention center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup International Broadcast Center, the city of Dallas authorized funding for improvements.
What We Know: A $15 million deal to upgrade the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Downtown Dallas for the IBC was unanimously approved by the Dallas City Council on Wednesday.
During the World Cup, thousands of international media will be based at the IBC.
Since the media will be in town for weeks throughout the event, council members have stated that hosting the IBC is a wise investment.
World Cup 2026: FIFA announces where teams will practice, stay in DFW
Several sites in North Texas were included in FIFA’s initial list of “Team Base Camps” for the World Cup.
According to Councilmember Jesse Moreno, “they are going to be going out to our restaurants, our small mom and pop restaurants, our hole in the walls.” “They will be lodging at our hotels. They will be going to the Farmer’s Market. They will be traveling to the Cedars in Deep Ellum.
Although it’s a substantial investment, city employees stated that $8 million of the $15 million had already been allocated.
Only convention center developments may be funded with convention center funds, which are obtained from hotel taxes.
Dallas has not been formally announced by FIFA as the IBC host city.
But in a meeting last week, the Dallas City Council declared that the city is the only contender.
Reasons to Be Concerned:The current Kay Bailey Hutchinson Center will be demolished and rebuilt as part of a $3.7 billion renovation project that will take place in Dallas during the World Cup.
In June, some infrastructural construction on that project began. But it wasn’t anticipated that the new structure would be finished until 2028 or 2029.
Construction begins on Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center expansion
A multi-billion dollar renovation is going to take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
According to Moreno, the council developed the renovation plans with the World Cup in mind.
The current convention center will continue to host events after 2026 thanks to the $15 million deal.
The Dallas Sports Commission stated that it is worth the significant investment in something that would eventually be demolished.
The entire World Cup is anticipated to boost the local economy by roughly $2 billion.
“Given that the entire convention center will need to be redone, why would we invest in it for short-term use? Indeed, it is an expense that is somewhat sunk. Councilmember Chad West stated, “However, your response gives me the impression and hope that we are going to make that back plus a lot more.”
What’s Next: A press conference regarding their vote was scheduled for Dallas municipal leaders. In order to “explore additional potential opportunities tied to FIFA’s World Cup initiatives,” that event was postponed.
In the upcoming months, FIFA is anticipated to issue an official statement.
The Backstory: In 2026, North Texas will host more World Cup matches than any other location in North America.
Nine World Cup games, including a semifinal, will take place in Arlington’s in&T Stadium.
Highlighted
AT&T Stadium and Dallas will host 9 World Cup matches in 2026, including a semifinal
FIFA announced on Sunday that AT&T Stadium and Dallas have been chosen to host nine 2026 World Cup matches. That consists of five group stage matches and a semifinal match.
However, the stadium will be known as Dallas Stadium throughout the soccer competition due to FIFA’s regulations.
Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Mexico; Kansas City, Atlanta, Houston, Monterrey, Mexico City, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New York, and New Jersey are among the other cities that will host games.
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The Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday and previous news reports provided the information for this story.
The Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday and previous news reports provided the information for this story.
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