Arlington didn't just become known as the 'Sports and Entertainment Capital of Texas' by chance.

The story of this city changed with the opening of AT&T Stadium in 2009. Before that, Arlington was a suburban city nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Arlington is a prime example of how a single stadium can completely transform a city's image.

The numbers make it even clearer. The Arlington Entertainment District attracted 15.6 million visitors in 2023, who spent a total of $2.8 billion. AT&T Stadium hosts over 300 events each year, in addition to Cowboys home games.

From the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, NBA All-Star Game, WrestleMania, to hosting nine FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 — more World Cup matches will be held here than at any other stadium in the U.S. In 2018, a 170,000 square foot entertainment complex called Texas Live! opened, costing $250 million.

Interestingly, before AT&T Stadium was built, the image of this city in movies or dramas wasn't very strong. But that changed after the stadium was established. The massive scale, cutting-edge architecture, and media focus — that became Arlington's identity. The Cowboys' lease has been extended to 2055, and the One Rangers Way project, developed in partnership with Texas Rangers and Cordish Companies, is a $2.4 billion development. This means something is still being built in this neighborhood.

I sometimes think about this. Some cities are remembered for their history, some for their nature, and Arlington is remembered for its stadium. That's not a drawback; it's Arlington's unique way. The city continues to grow around one of the largest stadiums in the world, and the 2026 World Cup will likely be an opportunity to reintroduce this city to the world.