{"id":696,"date":"2026-05-11T14:40:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=696"},"modified":"2026-05-11T14:40:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:40:47","slug":"dallas-emerges-as-a-soccer-tv-stronghold-ahead-of-the-2026-world-cup-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=696","title":{"rendered":"Dallas emerges as a soccer TV stronghold ahead of the 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The\u00a0Dallas-Fort Worth area is stepping into the global soccer spotlight with numbers that confirm what many locals already feel: this is one of the most passionate, soccer\u2011savvy markets in the United States.<\/p>

Read more Dallas officer was suspended over \u2018irresponsible\u2019 posts mocking Charlie Kirk, Dick Cheney, new records show<\/a><\/p><\/div>

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Leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nielsen, a global data and analytics firm that acts as the leading provider of audience measurement, released a new report on U.S. soccer viewership trends. \u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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The report highlights that among the 11 U.S. host cities, Dallas ranks fourth in total minutes of soccer viewed in 2025.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

According to Nielsen, Dallas-Fort Worth residents consumed 1.8 billion minutes of soccer last year, trailing only Los Angeles (5.6 billion), New York\/New Jersey (2.5 billion) and Houston (2.2 billion).\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Related:<\/strong> Which teams are playing in Dallas-Fort Worth during 2026 FIFA World Cup?<\/p><\/div>

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Brian Hughes, director of data communications at Nielsen, said the data paints a clear picture of a region where the sport isn\u2019t just growing \u2014 it\u2019s already deeply rooted.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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One of the main reasons D-FW posts such high viewership levels, Hughes said, is the region\u2019s large Hispanic population. \u00a0<\/p><\/div>

According to the 2024 American Community Survey, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area has 2,371,052 Hispanic residents, representing 29.4% of the region\u2019s total population.<\/p><\/div>

Hughes noted that the vast majority of the top 20 soccer broadcasts in Dallas aired on Univision, reflecting a strong preference for Spanish language commentary.<\/p><\/div>

\u201cSpanish speakers tend to prefer to watch in Spanish because it\u2019s a more exciting,\u201d Hughes said.<\/p><\/div>

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More than 1.6 million D-FW residents speak Spanish at home, reinforcing the dominance of Spanish\u2011language soccer broadcasts.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Nielsen\u2019s report that LaLiga (Spain) is the most\u2011watched soccer league in Dallas-Fort Worth, outperforming even the Premier League (England) and Liga MX (Mexico). \u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Hughes admitted he was surprised by the result. Liga MX is the top league nationally, and the Premier League has fueled a decadelong boom in American fandom. But in Dallas, Spanish\u2011language broadcasts and a growing appetite for European soccer appear to give LaLiga a unique edge.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Related:<\/strong> How Latino fans are critical to growing North Texas sports franchises<\/p><\/div>

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With Dallas set to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city\u2019s strong viewership base signals a ready\u2011made audience. Hughes believes all signs point toward record\u2011breaking national TV ratings.<\/p>

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\u201cThis has everything going for it to be the most\u2011viewed World Cup ever,\u201d he said, citing the sport\u2019s explosive growth and favorable match times for American audiences.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

For the 2026 World Cup, FOX Sports holds the English language rights in the U.S., broadcasting all 104 matches across FOX and FS1, while Telemundo and Peacock will handle Spanish language coverage.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Telemundo will feature Andr\u00e9s Cantor as its star play\u2011by\u2011play announcer.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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The Argentine commentator has become a cultural icon for Hispanic audiences thanks to his powerful, unmistakable \u201cGoooooooool!\u201d call. \u00a0<\/p><\/div>

His passionate style, combined with his storytelling ability and deep knowledge of the game, has even helped him cross over into the English language market.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\u201cAndr\u00e9s Cantor represents the essence of the passion with which all Hispanics enjoy soccer,\u201d said Javier Salazar, a Fort Worth soccer fan originally from Mexico who moved to Texas in 2008.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

The 41\u2011year\u2011old real estate investor said fans of his generation connect with Spanish language broadcasts because they offer a direct link to their roots.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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\u201cSpanish language broadcasts are much more entertaining,” Salazar said. “Latino announcers bring more emotion, and soccer is exactly that \u2014 emotion, feeling, is a part of our culture.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Related:<\/strong> ‘104 Super Bowls in 39 days’ \u2014 How FOX Sports, Verizon and Arlington are gearing up for the World Cup<\/p><\/div>

Salazar added that younger generations of Hispanics in the United States are increasingly crossing over to watching soccer in English, since they feel more comfortable hearing the match commentary in the language they use every day.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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