The 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived, and North Texas sits at the center of it. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, renamed Dallas Stadium for the tournament, will host nine matches between June 14 and July 14, more than any other venue in North America. That includes five group stage games, three knockout matches, and a semifinal on July 14. Local officials expect millions of visitors and an estimated $2 billion in economic impact across the region.
With those crowds come more police, more alcohol, and more chances to run into the criminal justice system, often over things that are perfectly legal somewhere else. Texas law is strict, and “I didn’t know” is not a defense. This guide explains what people commonly get arrested for at major events, how the process works, what bond looks like in Tarrant County, and what visitors, especially international travelers, need to know.
Texas criminal law applies to you the moment you arrive for the 2026 World Cup, even if the same conduct is legal back home. The most common arrests at big events are public intoxication, DWI, drug possession, assault, and solicitation of prostitution, and for international visitors any of these can create immigration problems that outlast your trip. If you are arrested anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, stay quiet and call a Texas criminal defense lawyer before you say anything to police or agree to any plea.
What Do People Get Arrested for During the World Cup?
Big events draw big crowds, heavy drinking, and a heavy police presence. Based on patterns from past World Cups, Super Bowls, and large events in North Texas, the charges below come up again and again. For each one, here is what the conduct looks like, what the State has to prove to convict you, and what the charge can cost.
One rule runs through all of them: in a Texas criminal case the burden is always on the State, never on you. Prosecutors must prove every element of an offense beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest standard in American law. You do not have to prove your innocence, testify, or explain anything. A good defense attacks the State’s proof of a single element, and if even one element fails, the whole case can fail.
Public Intoxication
This is the easiest and most common way to get arrested at a stadium event. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.02, the State must prove you appeared in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that you may have endangered yourself or another person. Note what that does not require: you do not have to be falling down, driving, or causing a scene. An officer only needs to believe you posed a danger. Mere drinking is not enough, and the “danger” element is often what wins these cases. A first offense is a Class C misdemeanor, the same level as a traffic ticket, but it is still an arrest that can show up later, including at a border. Our team covers the defenses in depth on our Fort Worth public intoxication page.
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct is the catch-all offense that officers reach for when a night gets loud. It can cover fighting words, offensive gestures, unreasonable noise, or displaying a firearm in a public place to alarm others. The State must prove you acted intentionally or knowingly and that your conduct fit one of the specific categories in the statute. Like public intoxication, most disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor, but it often accompanies a more serious charge after a confrontation. See our Fort Worth disorderly conduct page for how these charges are fought.
Assault and Bar Fights
Crowded, alcohol-heavy spaces turn shoving matches into criminal cases fast. Under Texas Penal Code Section 22.01, the State must prove you intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury to another person. “Bodily injury” is defined broadly. It includes physical pain, so a case can proceed even when no one is seriously hurt and there are no visible marks. A simple assault is usually a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to a year in jail and a fine up to $4,000, but it climbs to a felony if the person you allegedly hit falls into a protected category or if serious injury is involved. A single thrown punch can change a trip permanently. Learn more on our Fort Worth assault lawyer page.
DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)
DWI is heavily enforced during major events, especially late at night and on weekends. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, the State must prove you operated a motor vehicle, in a public place, while intoxicated. “Intoxicated” means either a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or the loss of normal mental or physical faculties from alcohol or drugs. Each of those words, operated, public place, and intoxicated, is a place a defense can challenge. A first DWI is generally a Class B misdemeanor with possible jail time and fines, and penalties climb sharply for a high BAC, repeat offenses, or a child in the car. Because DWI is so common around big events, we cover it in detail below and on our Fort Worth DWI lawyer page.
Drug Possession
This is one of the biggest traps for visitors, because marijuana and THC products that are legal in your home state or country are not legal in Texas. Drug crimes are charged under the Texas Health and Safety Code, and the State must prove you knowingly or intentionally possessed a controlled substance, meaning you knew it was there and knew what it was. The penalty depends entirely on the drug’s penalty group and the amount, and the form matters enormously. THC concentrates and edibles can be charged far more harshly than the same conduct involving plant marijuana, and even small amounts of a concentrate can be a felony. Our Fort Worth drug possession page explains how Texas classifies these offenses.
Solicitation of Prostitution
Major events historically trigger large undercover operations focused on prostitution-related offenses, and Texas punishes buying sex more harshly than almost anywhere else. Under Texas Penal Code Section 43.021, the State must prove you knowingly offered or agreed to pay a fee to engage in sexual conduct. Since September 1, 2021, this has been a state jail felony even on a first offense, carrying 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000. You can be charged even if no money changes hands and no sex act occurs. The offer or agreement is enough, undercover officers are allowed to lie about being police, and code words offer no protection, which is why what was actually said matters so much. Our Fort Worth prostitution lawyer page breaks down the felony solicitation law.
Theft, Counterfeit Merchandise, and Ticket Fraud
Scalping, fake tickets, and knockoff jerseys all live here. Under Texas Penal Code Section 31.03, the State must prove you unlawfully took property, or appropriated it, with the intent to deprive the owner of it. Selling counterfeit goods and passing fake tickets can expose you to separate fraud and trademark liability. The grade of the offense increases with the dollar amount involved, ranging from a Class C ticket to a felony. Our Fort Worth theft lawyer page covers how value drives the charge.
Trespassing and Pitch Invasion
Running onto the field is not a harmless prank in Texas, it is a crime, and venues prosecute it. Under Texas Penal Code Section 30.05, the State must prove you entered or remained on property without consent after notice that entry was forbidden, or after being asked to leave. Stadium signage, ticket terms, and security warnings all count as notice. Criminal trespass is usually a misdemeanor, but the embarrassment and immigration fallout for a visitor can far outweigh the penalty in Texas. See our Fort Worth criminal trespass page for more.
Fake IDs and Failure to Identify
Using a borrowed or forged ID to get into a venue or buy alcohol is its own offense, and giving false information to an officer compounds the problem. Texas has a “failure to identify” law under Texas Penal Code Section 38.02: the State must prove you gave a false or fictitious name, address, or date of birth to an officer, or refused to identify yourself after a lawful arrest. For an international visitor, a fraudulent-identity charge carries added immigration risk on top of the Texas penalty. Our Fort Worth failure to identify page explains your rights.
This list is not exhaustive, and any of these charges can come paired with others after a single incident. If you are facing any of them, do not try to talk your way out of it at the scene. Get a local defense lawyer involved before you say anything to police.
Increased Enforcement and Sting Operations
Law enforcement agencies plan for major events months in advance, and the World Cup will likely bring a much larger police presence than a typical game day. Expect increased enforcement efforts throughout Arlington and the surrounding entertainment districts, including:
- Prostitution stings targeting those seeking to purchase sex.
- Human trafficking task forces. Multiple agencies often coordinate at events of this scale, conducting proactive operations aimed at identifying trafficking activity and related offenses.
- DWI “no refusal” enforcement. On heavily enforced nights, on-call judges can quickly issue warrants for blood draws when drivers refuse breath or blood testing.
- Undercover and saturation patrols. Expect additional officers in and around the stadium, Texas Live!, and popular nightlife areas in Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas.
How Is Drunk Driving Handled in Texas?
DWI is one of the most common and most aggressively prosecuted charges around major events. Here is what visitors need to know:
The legal limit. For most drivers, the limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08. For commercial drivers it is 0.04. For anyone under 21, Texas has zero tolerance, meaning any detectable alcohol can lead to charges. You can also be charged below 0.08 if an officer believes alcohol or drugs impaired your driving.
The arrest and booking process. If an officer suspects DWI, you may be asked to perform field sobriety tests, which you can decline, but then you will be arrested. After arrest, you will be booked into jail, and the breath or blood testing process begins.
Implied consent and “no refusal.” By driving on Texas roads, you are deemed to have consented to breath or blood testing after a lawful DWI arrest. You can still refuse, but the officer will then usually apply for a warrant from a magistrate. During heavily enforced periods, judges are on call, and electronic warrants move quickly, so refusing rarely prevents a blood draw. Once a warrant is signed, you must comply. You can learn more about how these warrants work on our blood search warrant page.
Penalties. A first DWI is generally a misdemeanor but still carries possible jail time, fines, and other consequences. Penalties climb sharply for repeat offenses, a high BAC, or having a child in the car.
License consequences. Refusing a test triggers Administrative License Revocation, an automatic suspension separate from the criminal case. A first refusal means a 180-day suspension. A second means two years. You have only 15 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing to contest it. For out-of-state and international drivers, this suspension can affect your ability to drive in Texas and may be reported to your home licensing authority. Our Fort Worth DWI lawyer page walks through the full process.
The takeaway: use ride-share. With Uber, Lyft, and event shuttles widely available, there is no reason to risk a DWI. A rideshare fare is a fraction of what a DWI costs in money, time, and stress.
Typical Bond Amounts for DWI in Tarrant County
Based on an analysis Varghese Summersett completed of more than 52,000 bonds set in Tarrant County during 2025:
| Charge | Typical Bond Range | Most Common Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Driving While Intoxicated (first offense) | $500 to $1,500 | $500 |
| DWI with BAC 0.15 or higher | $1,000 to $1,500 | $1,000 |
| DWI second offense | $1,500 to $2,500 | $1,500 |
| DWI third or more (felony) | $5,000 and up | $5,000 |
| DWI with child under 15 | $1,500 to $3,500 | $1,500 |
These are general patterns, not promises. A magistrate sets your bond based on the specific charge, your ties to the area, and any prior record. Non-residents often see higher bond amounts because courts may view them as flight risks.
If you have been arrested during the tournament, you do not have to sort this out alone. Talk to a lawyer before you speak to police, and let a local team start protecting your record from day one.
What Happens When You Get Arrested?
If you are arrested in Arlington or anywhere in Tarrant County, here is the typical sequence.
Booking. You are taken to the local jail, either Arlington PD or the Tarrant County Jail, where you are fingerprinted, photographed, and processed.
Magistration. Within a reasonable time, you appear before a magistrate who informs you of the charges, advises you of your rights, and sets bond.
Bond. Common options are a cash bond, where you pay the full amount and get it back later; a surety bond, where you pay a bail bondsman a non-refundable fee, usually around 10 percent; or a personal recognizance bond, where you are released on a promise to appear with no money up front. Personal recognizance bonds are harder to get for non-residents. Our Fort Worth bail bonds page explains each option.
Release timeline. Anywhere from a few hours to a day or more, depending on the charge, the bond type, the time of day, and whether it is a weekend or holiday.
The single most important step is to contact a local criminal defense attorney quickly. An attorney can often speed up release, advise you before you say anything to police, and start protecting your case immediately.
Special Considerations for International Visitors and Visa Holders
This is the section that matters most for the hundreds of thousands of fans traveling from abroad. An arrest that a local resident might shake off can carry life-altering immigration consequences for a visitor.
Why is an arrest a bigger deal for visitors?
A local resident goes home after booking. A visitor may have a flight, a tour group, or a return date that an arrest will jeopardize. Courts often view non-residents and foreign nationals as flight risks, which can mean higher bond amounts and extra conditions. A pending case can keep you in Texas far longer than your trip was supposed to last.
Two separate systems: criminal court and immigration
The criminal case and the immigration consequence run on separate tracks. You can resolve a criminal case in a way that still damages your immigration status. That is why a criminal defense lawyer who understands immigration consequences and works with immigration counsel when needed matters so much for visitors.
Offenses with outsized immigration consequences
Certain charges carry far more weight at the border than their Texas penalty suggests. These include crimes involving moral turpitude, such as theft, fraud, and certain assaults; any drug offense, where even small possession can make you inadmissible to the United States in the future; solicitation and prostitution offenses; and domestic violence-related charges. Even a seemingly minor plea can lead to visa revocation, denial of future entry, or removal.
The trap of pleading guilty just to go home
The instinct to “just plead and catch my flight” is understandable and often a serious mistake. Deferred adjudication is not a clean slate for immigration purposes. Federal immigration law often treats it as a conviction even though Texas does not. Get advice before entering any plea.
Consular rights
Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, you have the right to have your country’s consulate notified of your arrest, and you can ask officers to make that notification. A consulate cannot get you out of jail or act as your lawyer, but it can help with communication, contacts, and sometimes referrals to local attorneys.
Visa status and future entry
Travelers using ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program should know that an arrest can jeopardize waiver eligibility. There are meaningful differences between being charged, being convicted, and admitting to certain conduct, and any of them can create problems at the border. You may be flagged on future entry attempts even if a case is ultimately dismissed. The practical rule: never leave the country with an unresolved case if you can avoid it.
The Long-Term Reality of a Criminal Case
A case does not end when you leave Texas. Understanding the timeline helps you plan.
Court settings. A case moves through stages such as arraignment and pretrial proceedings, often spaced over weeks or months.
Do you have to appear in person? For many misdemeanors, your attorney can appear on your behalf, so you do not have to fly back for every setting. This varies by court and charge, and felonies usually require your presence.
How long cases take. Even a straightforward misdemeanor can take several months to resolve.
Failure to appear. Missing a required court date triggers a warrant for your arrest and can lead to forfeiture of your bond. That warrant does not go away just because you are in another country.
Why Trust Varghese Summersett
Varghese Summersett is a Texas law firm with offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston, and a team of more than 70 legal professionals handling criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. On the criminal side, the firm has secured more than 1,600 dismissals and over 800 charge reductions, backed by more than 1,300 five-star reviews.
Five of our criminal defense attorneys are Board Certified — the highest designation an attorney can achieve in Texas. Benson Varghese, Anna Summersett, and Letty Martinez are Board Certified in Criminal Law, while Lisa Herrick and Mike Hanson are Board Certified in Juvenile Law.
Board Certification is awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to attorneys who have demonstrated substantial experience, passed a rigorous examination, and earned the respect of judges and fellow lawyers in their field. Fewer than 1 percent of Texas attorneys are Board Certified in Criminal Law, making this distinction a testament to their exceptional knowledge, skill, and commitment to excellence.
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How Varghese Summersett Has Handled Cases Like These
Real outcomes show how the right defense can change a result. In one Tarrant County DWI case, Varghese Summersett attorney Alex Thornton represented a client charged with driving while intoxicated. Rather than accept the charge as filed, the defense team scrutinized the stop and the evidence and negotiated a resolution that reduced the charge to obstruction of a highway, with 12 months of deferred adjudication and no DWI conviction on the record.
For a visitor, that kind of reduction can be the difference between a manageable outcome and a charge that follows you across borders. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they show what experienced local counsel can do when they get involved early.
More Serious Charges: Felonies and Drug Charges
Felony cases work differently and carry higher stakes.
Procedure. Felonies typically go through a grand jury, which decides whether to issue an indictment. This adds time and complexity.
Drug charges. Texas has a strict penalty structure under the Health and Safety Code, and the amount and form of the drug matter enormously. THC concentrates and edibles can be charged far more harshly than you might expect, and small amounts can be felonies. Our Fort Worth drug possession page breaks down how Texas classifies these offenses.
Bond conditions. Felony cases often mean higher bonds, mandatory court appearances, and travel restrictions as a condition of release, which is a major problem for someone trying to fly home.
These cases require committed local counsel from the start.
Traveling Through DFW With an Existing Warrant
You do not have to live in Texas, or even attend a match, to get caught up in this. A layover at DFW International Airport is enough.
How does a warrant surface?
ID scans and law enforcement database checks at the airport can flag outstanding warrants from any U.S. jurisdiction, not just Texas. A connecting flight is enough to trigger it.
The likely sequence of events
If a warrant hits at the airport, expect detention by DFW Airport law enforcement, then booking into the DFW Airport jail, which is a real, operating facility. Officers confirm that you are the person named and that the warrant is active. From there you are usually transferred within a day to the jail in the county that holds the warrant, for example Tarrant County, where you are read the charge and bond is set. Release follows on a timeline that depends on the bond type, any holds, and whether it is a weekend or holiday.
What lengthens the timeline
Out-of-county or out-of-state warrants raise extradition questions. Weekend and holiday arrests, multiple warrants, and holds from other agencies all add delay.
What to do if it happens
Do not resist or argue with airport law enforcement. Exercise your right to remain silent and do not try to explain or minimize. Contact a local defense attorney as soon as possible, and arrange for someone on the outside to help coordinate bond. Best of all, resolve any known warrant before you travel. An attorney can often handle it far more cheaply and quickly than dealing with an airport arrest.
“Quick Buck” Schemes That Are Actually Crimes
Big events tempt people into informal money-making that crosses into criminal territory. In Texas, these can get you arrested.
Watch out for ticket scalping and resale, which can run into state rules, venue prohibitions, and serious counterfeit-ticket exposure. Charging people to park on property you do not own or control is another common trap, as is operating informal cabs or unpermitted ride services. Selling knockoff jerseys and gear is counterfeit merchandise. Street sales of food or goods without the required permits is unlicensed vending. Reselling alcohol without a permit is its own offense. The pattern is simple: informal money-making at big events frequently becomes a criminal case.
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
When you hire Varghese Summersett, you gain a team of highly experienced criminal defense attorneys who have handled thousands of cases throughout North Texas. The firm includes five Board Certified attorneys in criminal and juvenile law — a distinction held by only a small percentage of Texas lawyers — as well as numerous former prosecutors who understand how the State investigates, charges, and tries criminal cases.
You can expect a clear explanation of your charges, an honest assessment of your options, and a defense built around your specific situation, whether that means challenging an unlawful stop, fighting a faulty breath or blood test, or negotiating a reduction that protects your record and your ability to travel. For out-of-town and international clients, the firm works to minimize how often you have to return to Texas and to flag immigration consequences before any plea is entered.
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Watch: The Top Mistakes People Make When Arrested
Frequently Asked Questions
Is marijuana legal in Texas?
No. Recreational marijuana is illegal in Texas, and the medical program is extremely limited. Texas defines legal hemp as containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight, which is different from the marijuana sold in legal-cannabis states. Possession of actual marijuana can lead to arrest.
Are THC gummies, Delta-8, and vapes legal?
This is one of the fastest-moving areas of Texas law right now, so treat it with caution. As of mid-2026, the sale of any vape or e-cigarette containing cannabinoids, including Delta-8 and even CBD, has been banned in Texas since September 2025 under Senate Bill 2024. The state has also moved to ban smokable hemp products and to treat Delta-8 as a controlled substance, with several of these rules tied up in ongoing court challenges. Some non-smokable products like certain gummies and CBD oils remain available to adults 21 and older within the legal THC limit, but the landscape can change with a single court ruling. For a visitor, the safe move is to assume THC products may not be legal here and leave them behind. Carrying THC concentrates or vape products can lead to arrest, and concentrates can be charged as felonies.
I have a medical marijuana card from my home state. Does it protect me?
No. An out-of-state or foreign medical card does not authorize possession in Texas.
Can I carry a gun?
Texas allows permitless, or “constitutional,” carry for most adults 21 and older who can legally possess a firearm, but there are many exceptions, and certain people are prohibited entirely. More importantly for visitors, stadiums and event venues prohibit firearms regardless of the general carry rules, and bringing one can lead to arrest. International visitors face additional federal restrictions on possessing firearms. Leave it at home.
Can I drink in public or in the parking lot?
Texas has open container laws that restrict public drinking in many areas, and rules vary by city and venue. Tailgating is generally allowed at the stadium, but World Cup parking operations differ from normal game days, so follow posted rules and official guidance. Public intoxication is a separate offense. An officer who believes you are a danger to yourself or others can arrest you even if you are just standing on a sidewalk.
What is the DWI limit, and what if I am driving on a foreign license?
The limit is 0.08 BAC for most drivers, lower for commercial drivers, and zero tolerance under 21. The law applies to anyone driving in Texas, regardless of where the license was issued, and a DWI here can still affect your driving privileges at home.
Can I be arrested for a fake ID?
Yes. Using a false or borrowed ID can be a criminal offense, and for international visitors it carries the added risk of immigration consequences.
Do I have to show ID to police?
Texas has a “failure to identify” law. In general, you must give your name and certain information if you are lawfully arrested, and giving false information to an officer can itself be a crime. The rules around when you must identify yourself are nuanced, so be polite and avoid lying.
What is the difference between a citation and an arrest?
A citation is a written notice to appear or pay, often used for minor offenses, and you are released on the spot. An arrest means you are taken into custody and booked. Some offenses that get a ticket elsewhere can lead to arrest in Texas.
What happens if I miss a court date after flying home?
Missing a required court date triggers a warrant for your arrest and can cause you to forfeit your bond. The case and the warrant remain active and can surface the next time you travel to the United States.
Can my lawyer go to court for me so I do not have to fly back?
Often, yes, for misdemeanors, depending on the court and charge. Felonies generally require you to appear in person. A local defense attorney can tell you exactly what your case requires.
Do I really need a lawyer for a minor charge?
For visitors, yes, especially because of the immigration and travel consequences. What looks like a minor charge can carry consequences that follow you across borders for years.
Practical Tips and Final Word
The World Cup should be one of the best experiences of your life, not the start of a criminal case. A few simple habits keep you on the right side of Texas law. Plan your transportation in advance and use ride-share, shuttles, or public transit instead of driving after drinking.
Remember that “Everyone does it back home” is not a defense because Texas law applies to you the moment you arrive, including at the airport. Keep emergency and consulate contacts handy, along with the number of a local criminal defense attorney. And if you are arrested, stay calm, stay quiet, and call a lawyer immediately before talking to the police or entering any plea.
If you or someone traveling with you is arrested anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the World Cup, contact Varghese Summersett right away to schedule a free consultation. The faster you have experienced local counsel, the more options you have to protect your freedom, your travel plans, and your future. Call 817-203-2220.
