Federal Funds to Upgrade Dallas Travel

The North Central Texas Council of Governments said on March 26 that it will manage more than $61 million in federal money tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including funding for transit, security and operations across the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The package includes $51.5 million from a FEMA grant program and $10.03 million from the Federal Transit Administration for public transportation, NCTCOG said. (nctcog.org) The transit share is part of a $100.3 million federal program announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation on March 3 for World Cup host cities. North Texas officials later used an April 2 rollout to tie that money to a regional transportation plan covering Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding agencies. (transit.dot.gov) ### Where is the federal money coming from? (nctcog.org) The U.S. Department of Transportation said on March 3 that the Federal Transit Administration was investing $100.3 million in public transit systems in World Cup host cities. The agency said the money can cover planning, capital and operating expenses and is meant to help local systems handle increased demand around stadiums and related events. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington region was apportioned $10,033,037 under that program, according to the FTA’s apportionment table. The formula used 70% stadium capacity and 30% number of matches in each U.S. host city, the agency said. ### How much of that money is tied directly to transit in North Texas? (nctcog.org) NCTCOG said the region’s federal World Cup package totals more than $61 million, but only $10.03 million of that amount comes from the FTA transit program. The larger share — $51.5 million — comes from a FEMA-administered grant program for security preparations ahead of the tournament. Todd Little, NCTCOG’s executive director, said the agency was designated to manage and distribute the funds after being selected by the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and the Texas governor’s office to administer the FEMA money. (transit.dot.gov) NCTCOG said it will handle compliance, reimbursement, documentation, training and audit readiness for local recipients. (transit.dot.gov) ### What will travelers in Dallas-Fort Worth actually see? The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and NCTCOG said on April 2 that their transportation plan is built around the region’s multimodal network and will move fans to Arlington for nine matches at AT&T Stadium, to the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park, and to the International Broadcast Center and other event sites. Officials said the plan relies on coordination among transit agencies, airports and municipalities. (nctcog.org) Michael Morris, transportation director at NCTCOG, said the partners are combining rail, bus and “smart infrastructure” for tournament operations. NCTCOG said the working partners include the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Trinity Metro, the Texas Department of Transportation and Trinity Railway Express. (nctcog.org) ### What kinds of upgrades qualify for the transit funding? FTA guidance says eligible expenses include planning, operating costs and capital items such as wayfinding improvements, security equipment and leased vehicles. The agency said it will treat planning and capital costs incurred from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, as World Cup-related, and operating costs from June 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026, as eligible for reimbursement. (nctcog.org) FTA also said public transportation service must remain open to the general public. Services limited to ticket holders, premium-fare event shuttles and courtesy shuttles for specific establishments are not eligible, according to the agency’s FAQ. ### What happens next before the tournament? (nctcog.org) The Regional Transportation Council’s April 9 agenda said North Texas officials were revising local World Cup funding plans after receiving the additional $10,033,037 in transit operating money. The agenda said the council had previously approved $11.8 million for World Cup activities in October 2023 and March 2025 and was considering cost adjustments, reallocations and contingency funding. (transit.dot.gov) The federal transit money must be obligated within one fiscal year after the close of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Transportation Department said. In the nearer term, the North Texas host committee’s April 2 transportation plan sets the operating framework for nine matches in Arlington and related events in Dallas this summer. (transit.dot.gov) (nctcog.org) (transit.dot.gov)