A Message From our Executive Director
2025 was another standout year for Dallas. We built on our momentum, welcomed more visitors, and delivered real impact for our city.
The Dallas Sports Commission booked and hosted a full slate of events again this year, attracting more than 1.2M attendees and generating $788M in economic impact for Dallas. These events also supported over 4,000 jobs, continuing to improve the quality of life Dallas residents enjoy through hosting sporting events. Our long-time partners showed up in a big way. The Cotton Bowl Classic, Big 12 Conference Football Championship, and BMW Dallas Marathon had monumental years. Classic matchups like the Red River Rivalry and the State Fair Classic filled the Cotton Bowl Stadium and kept Dallas in the national spotlight. We were proud to support elite events with our partners, including the NCA High School National Championship and the All-Star National Championship. Youth and amateur sports remain our bread and butter, with volleyball setting the pace with the Lone Star Classic and the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. Soccer continues its upward trajectory, staying strong with ECNL Texas, Dallas Cup, and the Next Generation Cup. On the global stage, the Dallas region continued to shine as we look ahead to the FIFA World Cup 26™. The Gold Cup and the Mexican National Team’s US Tour drew international attention and reinforced Dallas as a soccer city. Through all the events, community initiatives, and World Cup planning, none of this happens without our partners, stakeholders, and volunteers. Thank you for your trust and collaboration. As we move into 2026, we remain focused on delivering exceptional experiences, driving economic impact, and creating lasting memories for every athlete, coach, official, fan, and event organizer who chooses Dallas. Here’s to the momentum of 2025 and to an even BIGGER 2026.
Monica Paul Executive Director Dallas Sports Commission
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ALEX Gilbert
Event Support Manager
Hannah CameRON
Andrew Dockrill
Ginger lively Cade Sr. Director of Sales
Event Manager
A d m i n i s t r at i o n
Sales
Vice President
Stevie Bays Administration & Office Coordinator
Meet the team
Teneisha mckinney
Director of Marketing
Marketing
Executive Director
Events
Leadership
Monica Paul
ben Harbuck Marketing Specialist
Cesar Jaramillo
Graphic Design & Brand Specialist
Andrew Lawrence Director of Business Development
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2025 by the numbers
Hosted Events: 60 Events 1.2M Attendees $788M Economic Impact 4.5K Jobs Supported 479.5K Room Nights $22.4M Local Taxes Generated
2025 booked events: 797K Estimated Attendees 64 Events Booked 272K Room Nights
Future Booked events: 3.4M+ Estimated Attendees $2.5B+ Projected Economic Impact *ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS.
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Brand Awareness Metric recap MEdia
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50m+ TV Event Viewers
$2b AVE
(Advertising Value Equivalency)
D i g i ta l
442K+
Website Visitors
94K+
Social Media Engagements
7.7M+
Social Media Post Impressions
45K+
New Followers
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SERVPRO First Responder Bowl January 3, 2025 Gerald J. Ford Stadium
$15.6M Economic Impact
The 2024 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl featured a matchup between two high-powered Lone Star State college football teamsTexas State and the University of North Texas. The two teams had not played against each other in more than thirty years, and Texas State took home the title with an electrifying 30-28 victory. This game was both the highest-attended First Responder Bowl hosted at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium and the closest game in the bowl’s history, with a narrow two-point margin. The First Responder Bowl was a celebration of great football, but also a way to honor the hard work and sacrifices of our local Dallas-area firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, and beyond.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
22,700+ Attendees
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Texan Teams
Stat Sheet
$53M Economic Impact
74,500+ Attendees
Cotton Bowl Classic January 10, 2025 AT&T Stadium
In one of the most heart-stopping games of the 2025 College Football Playoffs (CFP), the University of Texas and Ohio State University went head-to-head at the annual Good-year Cotton Bowl Classic. As this iteration of the Cotton Bowl Classic was selected as a CFP semifinal, a win secured a spot at the CFP Championship, and the competition was fierce. The teams were evenly matched, and the game was hotly contested until the fourth quarter, when Ohio State took the lead with two back-to-back touchdowns. After their late game breakaway, the Buckeyes emerged victorious 28-14 over the Longhorns. Ohio QB Will Howard and defensive end Jack Sawyer were honored as the offensive and defensive players of the game respectively.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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NCA High School Nationals January 24 - 26, 2025 KBHCCD
$18M
Economic Impact
For thirty years, Dallas has been the proud host of the National Cheerleaders Association’s High School National Championships. This tournament consistently demonstrates the talent and hard work of cheerleading teams from high schools across the country. Teams competed in a number of divisions based on their skill level, school size, and routine style, with awards given for Game Day Performance, Crowd Leading, and Performance. Additionally, the championship for the Texas Special Olympics cheer teams was held on the first day of the NCA High School Nationals.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
28,500+ Attendees
Stat Sheet
$9.5M Economic Impact
10,900+ Attendees
ECNL Texas February 15 - 17, 2025 MoneyGram Soccer Park (Now Dallas Soccer Park)
Thousands of the nation’s top girls’ soccer players traveled to Dallas for the Elite Club National League’s Texas tournament in February 2025. Teams traveled to Dallas from Oregon, Florida, and everywhere in-between to display their talent for college scouts, compete against other elite teams, and build friendships that last a lifetime. Scouts from major Division I universities such as the University of Texas, Duke, Ole Miss, and more all had a presence at the competition, observing the 10,000+ athletes and making decisions about athletic offers and scholarships. The young women competing in ECNL Texas 2025 truly represent an unparalleled league of soccer, and many will go on to become the stars of tomorrow.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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All-Star National Championship February 28 - March 2, 2025 KBHCCD
$72M Economic Impact
The 2025 NCA All-Star National Championship was a demonstration of the best-of-thebest cheerleading from around the globe. Teams of all ages traveled to Dallas from across the world to perform for the golden megaphone trophy and a spot in the Cheer Worlds competition. The judges scored rou-tines based on a variety of criteria, including creativity, precision of execution, crowd spirit, and more. Standout performances came from several teams within the Top Gun All-Stars and Cheer Athletics programs, but finalists and winners came from as far as the UK and Western Canada and as close as North Dallas.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
72,900+ Attendees
OT7 Dallas Stat Sheet
$2.7M Economic Impact
5,300+ Attendees
March 15 - April 13, 2025 Dallas College Mountain View Campus OT7 is a completely unique league of non-tackle football that spotlights teams’ athleticism and personalities. With 30+ teams around the country, many coached by current or former NFL players, OT7 is a fast-paced, thrilling style of play. The 2025 tournament in Dallas was a month-long explosion of energy and style, as teams vied for a spot in the league playoffs. The competition provided a stage for young players to display their football skills, and many left the season with collegiate level offers or commitments. Beyond the tournament, however, the event left athletes with a community of other OT7 players and new bonds to last a lifetime.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Lone Star Classic
Stat Sheet
March 5 - 27, 2025
$82.5M
KBHCCD
Economic Impact
One of Dallas’ staple youth sporting events, the adidas Lone Star Classic, returned to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center for its 38th anniversary in the spring of 2025. Thousands of talented young volleyball players attended the tournament from around the nation, all seeking the title for their division and a coveted spot in the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship. As the largest qualifying tournament, the event was host to more than 2,800 teams and 39 states were represented. More than fifty collegiate bids were also awarded by scouts and coaches who attended the tournament. With each year, the event forever changes the lives of more and more young players as they become the top talent of the future.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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103,900+ Attendees
2,800+ Teams
Dallas Cup Stat Sheet
$14.6M Economic Impact
36,800+ Attendees
April 12 - 20, 2025 MoneyGram Soccer Park (Now Dallas Soccer Park)
The 2025 Dallas Cup was a record-breaking week of international camaraderie, exceptional young soccer talent, and fierce competition for the coveted championship title. As one of the globe’s elite invitational tournaments, the Dallas Cup featured some of the youth soccer world’s up-and-coming stars, and thousands of fans attended from both here in North Tex-as and around the world. Teams traveled from the far reaches of Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond, with groups representing Spain, Brazil, Japan, Australia, Samoa, and many other nations. With a new expanded girls’ division, the tournament made a new commitment to growing the great game for a diverse pool of talent and giving even more young athletes the chance to shine bright.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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VEX Robotics World Championship May 6 - 14, 2025
$40M
KBHCCD
Economic Impact
One of the world’s largest robotics competitions took over Downtown Dallas in May as VEX Robotics brought global STEM education and innovation to North Texas. The competition highlighted teams’ ability to work together to solve problems and complete tasks in creative ways while challenging students to apply principles of engineering, physics, and computer programming. The World Championship featured the best of the best from around the world, with teams from as far as China traveling to the region to participate. Thousands of fans and spectators gathered to watch the divisional finals in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Arena as teams and their robots demonstrated their skills and the culmination of more than a year of hard work and preparation.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
28,400+ Attendees
Stat Sheet
$13.2M Economic Impact
28,700+ Attendees
600 Matches
Next Generation Cup May 15 - 18, 2025 MoneyGram Soccer Park (Now Dallas Soccer Park) More than twenty-eight thousand talented youth soccer players from around the country gathered in Dallas over a spring weekend to compete in one of the nation’s fastest-growing tournaments. The Next Generation Cup, organized by the Gambit Sports Group, provided teams with a chance to compete against peers at the highest levels of youth soccer. In 2025, the tournament welcomed hundreds of teams that competed in more than 600 matches over four days. At the end of the tournament, scholarships were awarded to teams who showed a commitment to sportsmanship, ethics, and hard work. The Next Generation Cup consistently moves beyond the competition. It provides access to undiscovered young athletes and growing and developing them into the hardworking, resilient stars of tomorrow.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Dallas Bike Ride May 16, 2025
Stat Sheet
Downtown Dallas The Dallas Bike Ride was a car-free, social bike ride that took more than 5,000 participants of all ages and skill levels on a 20-mile course through several of Dallas’ most vibrant and iconic districts. Participants were able to explore Bishop Arts, the Design District, Oak Lawn, and Uptown, and more. The course included live music, celebrations, and rest stops along the route to make the ride accessible and fun, even for inexperienced cyclists. The Dallas Bike Ride supported several non-profit partners such as the Dallas Bicycle Coalition in an effort to promote cycling as a fun, sustainable mode of transportation. Waiting for riders at the end of the course was the finish festival at the Dallas City Hall Plaza, where participants could kick back and enjoy their incredible accomplishment.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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$211K Economic Impact
5,200+ Attendees
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Mile Course
Stat Sheet
$17M
Economic Impact
21,800+ Attendees
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Call of Duty League Teams
Dreamhack Festival May 23 - 25, 2025 KBHCCD Esports made digital waves in Dallas for the second year in a row during Dreamhack Dallas 2025, a weekend filled with gaming, competition, and memorable moments. The event attracted both professional esports legends and hobbyists alike, with some of the gaming world’s hottest events, including Intel Extreme Masters, the Brawl Cup, and the HCS Open. One of the crown jewels, however, was the Call of Duty Major IV, a tournament between the best Call of Duty League teams that ended in a win for the LA Thieves. The expo hosted more than 125 exhibitors, local game developers, and artists, with 300+ gaming set-ups in the free-play zones. The entire weekend was a celebration of online and gaming culture in a way that united the most hardcore and casual of esports fans.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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CONCACAF Gold Cup
Stat Sheet
June 18 - 20, 2025
$24.5M
AT&T Stadium
Economic Impact
Concacaf brought two exhilarating days of soccer to Dallas over the summer with their 2025 Gold Cup. AT&T Stadium saw some of the world’s top teams play in a tournament that has been described as the testing ground before the FIFA World Cup 26. Fans from around the region and world flocked to see both the US and Mexican national teams show down against Haiti and Suriname respectively, with other Central American competitors Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic also showcasing their soccer excellence. The tournament was filled with national pride for thousands of fans, and the matches in North Texas served as a way to elevate the region’s soccer presence on the global stage.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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61,500+ Attendees
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International Matches
Stat Sheet
$79M Economic Impact
63,700+ Attendees
USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships June 24 - July 3, 2025 KBHCCD Each year, thousands of the world’s best volleyball teams and players travel to the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship, and Dallas was proud to serve as host in the summer of 2025. With more than 60,000 guests attending and dozens of competitive divisions from ages 14-17, there was no short-age of exciting play and new friendships made. Players competed for both their divisional titles, a coveted spot on the AllTournament Team, and the attention of college coaches from around the nation. With this high-profile volleyball event and others like it, Dallas has cemented itself as a one-of-a-kind volleyball destination.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Southern Regional Championships June 27 - July 3, 2025 MoneyGram Soccer Park (Now Dallas Soccer Park) 2025 was a very exciting year for soccer as the world prepares for one of the game’s largest global tournaments. The 2025 Southern Regional Championships were no exception, as thousands of players in U.S. Youth Soccer Programs from the southern part of the country gathered to fight for a spot in the national championship. The tournament brought together more than 200 teams from ages 12-18 years old to com-pete for only twelve slots in the national competition. Of those twelve slots, four were claimed by teams hailing from Texas, including the Girls 13U and Boys 17U. Overall, the tour-nament was a display of some of the nation’s best youth soccer across a beautiful summer week in North Texas.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
$20.4M Economic Impact
11,500+ Attendees
Stat Sheet
$4.8M Economic Impact
5,300+ Attendees
Ultimate Ninja World Finals July 10 - 12, 2025 Dallas Market Hall In July 2025, Dallas’ Market Hall hosted the Ultimate Ninja World Finals, a competition of endurance, agility, and pure athleticism. With competitors ranging from elementary school to retirement age, the event displayed the capacity of human strength and determination as participants completed a rigorous obstacle course in record-breaking times. More than 5,000 guests traveled to North Texas to either compete or watch their loved ones, and the event transformed Market Hall into an unrecognizable sporting venue. The Ultimate Ninja World Finals was a prime example of Dallas’ ability to host and support even the most unique of sports events with ease!
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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State Fair Classic September 27, 2025
Stat Sheet
Cotton Bowl Stadium Each year, the State Fair Classic exemplifies HBCU excellence both on and off the field. In 2025, the event celebrated its 100th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of promoter and change-maker, Al Wash. Grambling State and Prairie View A&M went head-to-head in an exciting matchup, with Prairie View emerging victorious 28-13. The event featured entertainment in the form of the halftime battle of the bands, iconic girl group TLC, and Fat Daddy. The 100th anniversary broke records across the board, with more than 56 thousand fans in attendance at the newly-renovated Cotton Bowl Stadium. As the State Fair Classic moves forward to another 100 years of excellence, Dallas is proud to serve as host for one of the most anticipated and iconic college football matchups every year.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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$18.1M Economic Impact
56,200+ Attendees
100
Years of Football Excellence
Red River Rivalry
Stat Sheet
$75.7M Economic Impact
96,500+ Attendees
October 11, 2025 Cotton Bowl Stadium The University of Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma University Sooners are some of the fiercest rivals in college football, and their annual showdown in Dallas is one of the highlights of the season. An iconic tradition during the State Fair of Texas, the whole city lights up in burnt orange and red, as these two teams butt heads. This year, Texas won the game 23-6, breaking OU’s undefeated season-opening streak. Texas limited Oklahoma to just 88 yards in the second half with an impressive defensive showing and offensive prowess from the star QB, Arch Manning. With nearly 100k fans flooding the Cotton Bowl Stadium this year alone, the Red River Rivalry will continue to be a hallmark of the beginning of a thrilling year of college football.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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MEXTOUR: Mexico vs. Colombia October 11, 2025
Stat Sheet
$27M
AT&T Stadium
Economic Impact
The Mexican National Soccer Team has affectionately dubbed Dallas “a home away from home,” and events like the 2025 match against Colombia at AT&T Stadium are certainly a part of that nickname. The match was a heated showdown between the soon-to-be FIFA World Cup hosts, Mexico, and their southern rivals, Colombia. The energy in the stadium was electric, with fans on both sides cheering, singing, and celebrating each moment. Beyond matchday, however, the Copa Kin Read to Win literacy competition was a glowing success, with area schools reading over a million minutes this year alone. Although the game ended in a loss for Mexico, the impact of the game and the auxiliary events will certainly shape the lives of thousands of North Texans for years to come.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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66,500+ Attendees
1m+
Minutes Read in Copa Kin Reading Challenge
CCM Dallas
Stat Sheet
$6.4M Economic Impact
4,300+ Attendees
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Venues Across North Texas
October 11, 2025 StarCenter Facilities In the midst of a sports-filled October weekend, hundreds of youth hockey teams traveled to North Texas for the 2025 CCM Dallas tournament. Over the course of 336 games, the 140+ teams scored more than two thousand goals, proving the caliber of the young athletes who traveled from around the nation. Of the fourteen divisional champions, eight hailed from North Texas, demonstrating to the youth hockey world that even a warmer region can produce elite players with a competitive edge.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Firefighter Challenge World Championship October 20 - 25, 2025 Dallas College Brookhaven Campus Firefighters serve as the backbone of our communities, consistently demonstrating strength, determination, and resilience. All of these traits were on full display as firefighters from more than twenty countries traveled to Farmers Branch to compete in the annual Firefighter Challenge World Championship. The event served as the culmination of a year of regional championships, bringing together the best-of-the-best competitors and their families. The Firefighter Challenge itself is an obstacle course that tests skills such as dragging a completely full water hose, carrying an adult-size mannequin, and using a sledgehammer to simulate breaking through a blocked door or wall. Each task is meant to challenge competitors to prove their mental and physical capabilities as both athletes and first responders.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
$235K Economic Impact
1,200+ Attendees
20+
Countries Represented
Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships
Stat Sheet
$12.1M Economic Impact
10,500+ Attendees
November 3 - 9, 2025 Brookhaven Country Club Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports sensations, and the 2025 Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships are proof of the growing impact of this engaging and exciting sport! Players from amateurs to professionals took to the courts at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch over a beautiful fall week. Anna Leigh Waters and Federico Staksrud won the women’s and men’s singles events respectively in the professional division, and big names like Dirk Nowitzki, Terrell Owens, and Tfue headlined the Celebrity Showdown night.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Big 12 Conference Football Championship December 6, 2025
$57.6M
AT&T Stadium
Economic Impact
Texas Tech University prevailed 34-7 over BYU at the 2025 Big 12 Conference Football Championship. The two teams broke the Big 12’s all-time attendance record with over 85k attendees filling every corner of AT&T Stadium. Stakes were high, as the winner automatically received a bid in the 2025-26 College Football Playoffs. The Red Raiders delivered, with standout performances by linebackers Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez helping to secure the team’s first-ever Big 12 Conference Championship. Award-winning country artist Jon Pardi provided halftime entertainment to the crowd of high-energy fans as they celebrated the conclusion to an exciting year of conference football.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
85,500+ Attendees
BEST of Texas Robotics
Stat Sheet
$824k Economic Impact
4,000+ Attendees
December 11 - 13, 2025 Fair Park Dallas The 2025 BEST of Texas Robotics event represented not just a gathering of some of Texas’ brightest young people, but a celebration of innovation, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. This year’s event, entitled “Factoids”, challenged robotics teams to build an efficient and elegant system for sorting ping pong balls of varying weights and colors. Some of the awards given to participating teams include Engineering Drawing, Exhibit Construction and Design, and Sportsmanship.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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BMW Dallas Marathon December 12-13, 2025 Downtown Dallas
Stat Sheet
$22.8M Economic Impact
Over a cold December weekend, more than nineteen thousand runners took to the streets of Dallas to compete in the annual BMW Dallas Marathon. The event was not just limited to the full marathon, however, with thousands of additional runners participating in the half marathon, 10k, Ultra Marathon, 5k, and more. Dallas City Hall served as the start/finish line and the main hub for runners and their loved ones to celebrate their amazing accomplishments with music, food, giveaways, and good spirits. The course served as a tour throughout Dallas’ many vibrant neighborhoods and landmarks, including White Rock Lake, Deep Ellum, Downtown, and more.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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57,000+ Attendees
Revocruit Rematch
Stat Sheet
$2.3M Economic Impact
8,000+ Attendees
December 13, 2025 American Airlines Center The Texas Tech University and the University of Arkansas men’s basketball teams went head to head in a thrilling game of basketball at the American Airlines Center in Dallas this December. The game, named the Revocruit Rematch, served as a rematch of the previous season’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 matchup, featuring nationally ranked teams in an early-season top-tier battle. The game ended with a 93-86 win for the Razorbacks, with standout performances by guard Darius Acuff and forward Trevon Brazile. Downtown Dallas was drenched in a sea of red as these two basketball powerhouses made waves in our city.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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SERVPRO First Responder Bowl December 26, 2025
$3.9M
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Economic Impact
Florida International University and the University of Texas at San Antonio clashed in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at SMU’s beautiful Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Uptown Dallas. The UTSA Roadrunners stampeded past FIU to win the game 57-20, further extending their postseason winning streak. The game simultaneously broke an NCAA bowl record for longest punt return touchdown, with FIU’s Maguire Anderson maneuvering 97 yards down the field to score. Beyond the game, however, the First Responder Bowl honored the selfless men and women who dedicate their lives to public safety and service.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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Stat Sheet
10,300+ Attendees
Cotton Bowl Classic
Stat Sheet
$56.9M Economic Impact
71,000+ Attendees
December 31, 2025 AT&T Stadium The No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic before a crowd of over 71,000 at AT&T Stadium. After a strong start to the second half, the Buckeyes’ offense was unable to generate additional points down the stretch, as Miami’s defense continued to apply pressure and force stalled possessions. With the victory, the Hurricanes moved on to the VRBO Fiesta Bowl in one of the CFP Semi-final matchups.
*ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A VARIETY OF COLLECTION METHODS
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January 3, 2025 January 10, 2025 January 17–19, 2025 January 24–26, 2025 January 26–27, 2025 January 31 – February 2, 2025 January 31 – February 2, 2025 February 6–8, 2025 February 15–17, 2025 February 28 – March 2, 2025 March 14–16, 2025 March 15 – April 13, 2025 March 15–18, 2025 March 15–18, 2025 March 20–23, 2025 March 29–30, 2025 April 4–6, 2025 April 5–27, 2025 April 12–20, 2025 April 14–18, 2025 April 19–20, 2025 May 5, 2025 May 6–14, 2025 May 10–11, 2025 May 15–18, 2025 May 16, 2025 May 16–19, 2025 May 16–18, 2025 May 22–23, 2025 May 23–25, 2025 June 6–8, 2025 June 18–20, 2025 June 20–22, 2025 June 24 – July 3, 2025 June 27 – July 3, 2025 June 28 – July 5, 2025 July 10–12, 2025 August 30 – September 1, 2025 September 8–12, 2025 September 27, 2025 October 3–5, 2025 October 4–5, 2025 October 9–11, 2025 October 11, 2025 October 11, 2025 October 11–13, 2025 October 20–25, 2025 October 24–26, 2025 November 3–9, 2025 November 6–9, 2025 December 5–7, 2025 December 6–7, 2025 December 6, 2025 December 11–13, 2025 December 12–13, 2025 December 13–14, 2025 December 13, 2025 December 13–14, 2025 December 26, 2025 December 29–31, 2025 December 31, 2025
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Cotton Bowl Classic REVEL Dance Dallas NCA High School Nationals Texas Fest American Volleyball Challenge Texas Tough Invitational USTA Texas Annual Meeting ECNL Texas All-Star National Championship West Coast Dance Explosion – Dallas OT7 Dallas UF Gatormade Trip to Dallas Division II Men’s Basketball Regionals HEAT Convention and Competition – Dallas Wang Memorial Dance Dallas Lone Star Classic Dallas Cup NJCAA Annual Convention Dallas Easter Classic Global Sports Business Summit VEX Robotics World Championship Dallas Spring Showcase Next Generation Cup Dallas Bike Ride Varsity Event Administration THE DANCE COMBINE by TRIBE 99 Esports Next Dreamhack Festival Southern Olympic Development Program Tournament Concacaf Gold Cup 23rd Korean American National Sports Festival USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships 2025 Southern Regional Championships USAAS Junior Olympics Arlington/Dallas Ultimate Ninja World Finals North Texas Roundup FIFA Logistics Workshop State Fair Classic National Powerlifting League Competition UDMA Dance Teacher Resource Expo Red River Showdown – OU Club of Dallas Red River Rivalry Mexican National Team US Tour CCM Dallas Firefighter Challenge World Championship Susan G. Komen 3-Day Pickleball World Championships Intrigue Dance Intensive – Dallas 35th Annual Showcase by The Sport Source Spirit Celebration Grand Nationals Big 12 Conference Football Championship BEST of Texas Robotics Dallas Marathon NCA Holiday Classic Revocruit Rematch Best of Texas (Lacrosse) SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Dallas ISD Holiday Basketball Invitational Cotton Bowl Classic
2025 Events
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Upcoming Major Events
FIFA World Cup 26™
HBCU Basketball Championship Spring 2027, 2028, 2029
2026 Concacaf W Championship
NHL Stadium Series 2027
National Battle of the Bands 2027
2026 Dallas Marathon
NCAA Women’s Final Four 2031
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67th Dallas Regional Spelling Bee v383
The Dallas Sports Commission partnered with WFAA to produce the 67th Annual Dallas Regional Spelling Bee (DRSB), the largest DRSB to date. On Saturday, March 9th, the DRSB took place at WFAA’s downtown studios in front of an audience of parents, educators, and North Texas Community leaders. With more than 800 participating schools, the Bee proved to be a fierce competition for the coveted spots in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Contestants from 20+ counties in the North Texas region had to be in the eighth grade or younger and win both their school and local county bee to qualify. Spellers who advanced to the Regional Bee represented the best and brightest of the 100,000+ participating students, and three students advanced to the national level. Faizan Zaki, Avishka Dudala, and Shreyansh Zadoo, the top three regional spellers, all traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. All three performed well, with Avishka and Shreyansh advancing to round seven and triumphing over most of the 240 participants. Faizan ultimately rose as the 100th champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee during the 2025 Nationals. This was his 4th appearances at the National Bee. The Dallas Sports Commission could not be prouder of the unwavering dedication from every Dallas Regional Spelling Bee participant in both 2025 and in many years to come.
LEARN MORE AT DALLASSPELLINGBEE.COM
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In 2025, the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program (MYSTP) reached more Dallas-area youth than ever before. The program, originally founded in 2022 as a collaboration between the Dallas Sports Commission and the Office of the Mayor of Dallas, dis-tributed over ten thousand tickets to young sports fans and their families in 2025. Thanks to the support of 30+ partners, the MYSTP more than doubled. The program has seen more engagement than ever before, as families are recognizing the profound impact that sports can have on the lives of young people. The collective number of tickets that have now been shared to Dallas-area families surpasses 25,000, and the program has im-pacted the lives of more than 3,000 youth. The Dallas Sports Commission is thrilled to be able to enrich the lives of future generations through the generous contributions of teams, confer-ences, and organizations both in North Texas and beyond. We look forward to continuing to grow in the years to come!
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Allen Americans American Airlines Center Concacaf DBU Dallas Cowboys Dallas Mavericks Dallas Stars Dallas Trinity FC Dallas Wings FC Dallas First Responder Bowl Frisco Roughriders REV Entertainment Lone Star Brahmas
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PGA of America SMU State Fair Classic Texas Legends Texas Lone Star SC Texas Motor Speedaway Texas Motorplex in Ennis Texas Rangers The Ascenent LPGA Unversity of Dallas University of Texas at Dallas PPA WNFC UFL & Dallas Renegades
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In the Community
Volunteer Program The Dallas Sports Commission is consistently committed to making a positive impact on the greater North Texas region. This is done through a series of programs that aim to engage the community by increasing accessibility of sports, promoting learning and creativity, and creating volunteer opportunities. The 2025 Volunteer Program saw immense growth as excitement grew toward the FIFA World Cup 26.
Literacy Program: Copa Kin: Read to Win The Dallas Sports Commission has run many educational community initiatives throughout the years, and one of the most notable and long-standing programs is the Copa Kin: Read to Win Reading Challenge. Local elementary students can register and log their minutes read to compete for weekly prizes and a final grand prize. In 2025, the competition began on International Literacy Day and lasted for four weeks, with the class reporting the most minutes read each week receiving gifts from local professional teams, including a signed jersey from the Dallas Cowboys and FC Dallas, free match tickets to a Dallas Trinity FC match, jerseys, merchandise, toys, and more! The grand prize consisted of free tickets to the Mexico vs. Colombia match on October 11th and a celebration of the winning class at their own school. This year was by far the most successful in the program’s history, with more than a million minutes read across all students and classrooms!
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In May 2025, the Dallas Sports Commission partnered with SMU to put on the first ever annual Global Sports Business Summit (GSBS). The event, held at SMU’s Collins Executive Education Center, attracted nearly three hundred sports industry professionals and students. Throughout the day, attendees heard from panels and keynote addresses featuring the innovators and leaders driving the world of sports in Dallas and beyond and had the chance to mingle and connect with peers during a dedicated networking portion of the summit. The GSBS featured a total of five unique and engaging panels and one keynote “Fireside Chat” with the industry’s brightest minds: •
Streaming Wars & Sports Media: The Future of Fan Engagement connected leaders in the streaming space to discuss the ever-competitive world of broadcast and fan loyalty in an age when consumers have an abundance of choice in where they engage with their favorite teams or leagues.
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Sponsorship 2.0: The Evolution of Brand Partnerships in Sports delved into the opportunities and limits of sponsorships and brand collaborations for athletes, teams, and more non-traditional organizations. Panelists shared insight into measuring success in brand partnerships and determining how to reach a diverse audience.
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AI, Analytics & Automation: The Tech Revolutionizing Sports Business explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence in ticket pricing, marketing, and beyond. The panel discussed the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility in the adoption of new technology and how it can bolster both organizations and fan experience.
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Women’s Sports and Broadcasting: Expanding Leagues, Revenue Streams, and Fandom was the keynote session, with panelists speaking on the explosive growth of women’s sports in the last several years and how this growth translates to new opportunities for broadcast, sponsorship, and broader community engagement.
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FIFA World Cup 26™, the Olympics & the Future of Mega Sports Events gave an insider look into some of the mechanics behind how a massive global sporting event is planned and executed. Some topics included the legacy and community impact an event of this scale can have and the extensive details that must come together for success.
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The New Playbook: Private Equity, Credit & the Future of College Athletics discussed the role that private equity plays in the world of collegiate athletics and safeguards that may need to be instated, specifically in a landscape where NIL deals have completely transformed the way young athletes negotiate and compete through their college years.
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FIFA WORLD CUP 26™ UPDATES
With the new year beginning, the North Texas region steps ever closer to the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ and the nine matches that will take place at Dallas Stadium starting in June. As the region prepares to welcome the world, we have several critical milestones to look back on and celebrate from the past year. In March 2025, Dallas’ own Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center was announced as the site for FIFA’s International Broadcast Center, an incredible achievement along the road to the World Cup. The site will serve as the official hub for global media operations and will provide thousands of members of the media with access to state-of-the-art equipment and over 400,000 square feet of telecommunications operations space. The facility will begin to host broadcast media personnel as early as January, and operations will continue through the entirety of the tournament.
Spring also brought the unveiling of two critical pieces of Dallas’ World Cup identity: the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Dallas Sonic ID, created by Grammy-Award winning producer Tre Nagella, and the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Dallas Host City Poster, created by artist and Fort Worth native Matt Cliff. These two elements display the spirit of North Texas as a diverse region filled with everything from rodeos and western wear to Michelin-starred restaurants and skyscrapers. Both pieces serve as an introduction to the world: this is who Dallas is, a place filled with millions of unique people and stories united by a love for the beautiful game.
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FIFA WORLD CUP 26™ UPDATES With exactly one year to go before the first kickoff, Dan Hunt and Nina Vaca were announced as co-chairs for the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. Dan Hunt is the President of FC Dallas, the region’s Major League Soccer team, and Nina Vaca is the founder of Pinnacle Solutions, the largest Hispanic-owned workforce solutions company in North America. With extensive experience in the world of soccer, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and leadership, the two will work together to guide the region and ensure that every guest has a world-class experience during their stay in Dallas.
One of the most crucial elements to the success of the World Cup is the dedication and altruism of thousands of volunteers across the continent. Volunteer applications were open through August and September, and the region received over 60 thousand submissions. In early January, the last Volunteer Team Tryouts took place at the beautiful volunteer center in Fair Park, and volunteer Role Offers were extended in February. Opened in mid-November, the center is the hub for all volunteer operations and will serve as a home-base for volunteers and coordinators alike through the semi-final match on July 14th. Finally, one of the largest stepping stones along the path to summer 2026 is the Official FIFA Draw. On December 5th, 2025, the world learned which qualifying teams would be in each Group-Stage. Global powerhouses England, Argentina, Croatia, Netherlands, and more were all guaranteed to play at Dallas Stadium in 2026. With the teams playing in each of Dallas’ early matches determined, teams began to select which Team Base Camps they would like to call home. In the end, Toyota Stadium and Texas Health Mansfield Stadium were the two Base Camps chosen to be home-away-from-homes for two teams during the tournament. There are countless moving parts that go into a global sporting event at the scale of the FIFA World Cup. While these represent some major milestones, there are many other events that took place during 2025, and there are many more to come through the first half of 2026. Stay tuned for more big updates and announcements as this historic moment draws closer and closer!
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ADVISORY BOARD
2025 ADVISORY BOARD
Jimmy Smith, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer, FC Dallas & Toyota Stadium John Ackerman, Executive Vice President, Global Strategy and Development, DFW International Airport Brad Alberts, President, Dallas Stars Rafael Anchia, House of Representatives, State of Texas Rick Baker, President, Cotton Bowl Classic Gregg Bibb, CEO/Managing Partner, Dallas Wings Dave Brown, Chief Operating Officer/General Manager, American Airlines Center Lane Conner, President of Payments, Parkhub Blake Conway, Relationship Banking Officer, Frost Bank Craig Davis, President/CEO, Visit Dallas Sean Decker, Executive Vice President, REV Sports & Entertainment Darlene Ellison, Vice President, Business Development, Veritex Community Bank/Greater East Dallas Chamber Chad Estis, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, AT&T Stadium/Dallas Cowboys Ronnie Fauss, Chief Strategic Officer, Dallas Mavericks William Floyd, Associate Private Client Advisor, Texas Capital Bank Mitchell Glieber, President, State Fair of Texas Tara Green, Principal of Program Development, OJB Landscape Architecture Peg Donahue Hall, Partner, Spencer Fane LLP Rick Hart, Director of Athletics, SMU Athletic Department JR Huerta, Board Member, Dallas Parks & Recreation John Jenkins, Director, Dallas Parks & Recreation Department Anthony Lopez, General Manager, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Adam McGough, Former Dallas City Council Member Jason Mengel, Championship Director, PGA of America Scott Murray, Chairman/CEO, Murray Media Dale Petroskey, President/CEO, Dallas Regional Chamber Brad Ramsey, President & General Manager, WFAA Jim Rodriguez, Marketing Director, Taco Casa Danyel Surrency Jones, CEO & President, Powerhandz Mitzi Tally, Executive Vice President, Administrative Services, Dallas Market Center Jim Tam, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Gnowbe John Trevino, Vice President & GM, KDAF CW33 Nexstar Media Group Jorge Villalobos, President/CEO, Sports Marketing Monterrey Alan Walne, Chairman, State Fair Salesmanship Club Royce West, Senator, State of Texas Mark Williams, Executive Vice President, HKS Matt Wood, President, Friends of Fair Park
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