The Dallas City Council unanimously approved an agreement Wednesday aimed at paving the way for a new women's professional soccer team to call Cotton Bowl Stadium home starting this summer.
City Council grants Fair Park operators $592,000 over two years to secure a contract with an unnamed USL Super League team to play home games at the 90-year-old stadium in South Dallas approved to issue. He also has the option to continue the $296,000 annual stipend for three years.
The City Council approved the city grant in a 14-0 vote. City Councilwoman Carla Mendelsohn was absent during the vote.
The move marks the second time in recent months that the City Council has approved an agreement to bring women's professional sports teams to Dallas. It's a move Wednesday that is expected to strengthen the city's status as a live sports destination, help Dallas play a part in the continued growth of women's professional sports and become a driver of economic development for the southern half of the city. was welcomed as such.
“This contract with this team represents one of the many opportunities we have to continue to drive economic growth and workforce development in South Dallas through our parks system,” said Interim City Manager Kimberly.・Bizar Tolbert said.
The USL Super League is a new eight-team women's soccer league with matches scheduled from August to December, with a midseason break until January, followed by further matches from February to May.
On April 24, the City Council approved a 15-year, $19 million contract for the WNBA's Dallas Wings to relocate from Arlington to downtown Dallas. The proposal still needs approval from the WNBA Board of Governors, but the Wings would play at Dallas Memorial Auditorium starting in 2026.
Cotton Bowl Stadium, which seats more than 90,000, is undergoing an approximately $140 million renovation that is expected to be completed by the 2025 Texas State Fair in the fall. Stadium renovation plans include improvements to restrooms, concessions, seating and new escalators.
“With the addition of a USL franchise to the Cotton Bowl, Dallas will not only see the rise of women's soccer, but the city will actively shape the future of the sport while providing opportunities for those who may otherwise have no access to the sport. “It will be,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission.
The team will reveal its name, logo and other branding, as well as details about next season, at an event at Klyde Warren Park on Thursday morning.
The 2026 Cotton Bowl will host the FIFA Fan Festival, a public viewing event for World Cup matches. His AT&T Stadium in Arlington would host nine World Cup games that year, including one semifinal game.
This story will be updated.
