Friday, 9th of January, IAEJ arranged a press briefing regarding the FEI World Cup Final to take place in Fort Worth, Texas, in April 2026. The presentations were done by Marty Bauman, press chief, and Sami McDermott, event director, both representing the organisation of the 2026 World Cup Finals in Fort Worth. IAEJ member Kim MacMillan has been instrumental in setting up the activity and has provided an in-depth travel guide for fellow members planning a trip to Texas in the coming months.
Quick recap of press briefing
The meeting focused on providing details about the upcoming FEI World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in April 2024. Marty Bauman and Sami McDermott, representing the Fort Worth organization and Split Rock Jumping Tour, respectively, outlined logistics for the event, including the venue, transportation, media facilities, and entertainment plans. They emphasized the state-of-the-art Dickies Arena as the host location and discussed arrangements for journalists, photographers, and media personnel, including shuttle services, locker rooms, and meal provisions. The event is expected to draw significant crowds, with planned activities and vendor villages enhancing the experience. Questions were addressed regarding visa requirements, media credentials, and stabling arrangements for horses. The discussion also touched on Fort Worth’s attractions and the city’s support for the event.
Summary
FEI World Cup Finals Overview
The meeting discussed the upcoming FEI World Cup Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in April. Marty Bauman provided an overview of the event, including the venue, logistics, and schedule. He recommended using Uber instead of renting cars and highlighted the media center’s amenities. Sami McDermott, the event director, was introduced as the key person with detailed knowledge of the event. The discussion covered the competition schedule, press conferences, and expected attendance of 50,000 to 60,000. Marty emphasized the vibrant nightlife and attractions in Fort Worth, assuring attendees of a memorable experience both at the event and in the city.
Journalist Visa Preparations for Texas Show
The meeting focused on preparations for an upcoming horse show event in Texas, with discussions about visa requirements for international journalists. Eduardo Teme, Mexico, expressed concern about needing a special journalist visa for the first time, which led to a broader discussion about visa requirements for international media. The group shared experiences with obtaining media visas in different countries, with Simona Diale and others noting that the process has become stricter in recent years. Marty encouraged journalists to apply for credentials through the Fort Worth2026 website, noting that the first round of acceptances would be sent out that month. The discussion concluded with plans to distribute information about the application process through newsletters and websites.
Fort Worth World Cup Updates
The meeting focused on the upcoming World Cup equestrian event in Fort Worth, where Marty and Sami provided updates on logistics and accommodations. They clarified that while there isn’t a designated media hotel, discounted rates are available at three nearby hotels, and shuttle services will be provided. Sami confirmed that the media will have access to the warm-up ring and show arena, and while details about special entertainment are still being finalized, they will be announced once confirmed. Marty expects top American riders to participate in the final.
Recorded Press briefing
IEAJ Travel Guide 2026 FEI World Cup Finals Fort Worth
Competition Dates: April 8-12, 2026 (Horse inspections and draw for order will be held on 7 April.)
Link to competition schedule on ticket website: https://www.fortworth2026.com/tickets
Links for Information:
Official Event Website: https://www.fortworth2026.com/
FEI 2026 World Cup webpage: https://www.fei.org/events/fei-world-cup-finals-2026
Media Credentials Application Link: https://www.fortworth2026.com/credentials (due by 20 March, 2026, but may close sooner if space in the media room fills before that date)
Where:
Dickies Arena
1911 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
Dickies Arena Director of Marketing & Communications: Whitney Blake, wblake@dickiesarena.com, Office phone +1 817-402-0150, cell phone +1 817-919-4480
Dickies Arena is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena with a capacity of up to 14,000 seats. It was opened on Oct. 26, 2019. The arena is sponsored by Dickies, a Texas-based clothing company. The Dickies Arena is adjacent to the 120-acre (48.56227 hectares) Will Rogers Memorial Center campus, a major hub for equestrian and livestock shows. The Center is named for the famous cowboy actor and humorist Will Rogers, who was of Native American descent. A botanical garden, museums and a planetarium are also located on or near the Will Rogers Memorial Center campus.
Airport & Transportation Information:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
2400 Aviation Drive
DFW Airport, Texas 75261 USA
Airport Code: DFW
The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a large international airport offering many amenities and multiple flights landing daily from around the world. The airport ranked third in global traffic volume in 2024 behind Atlanta, Georgia (USA), and Dubai. They have a tram that takes passengers from terminal to terminal. Most international flights go into and out of Terminal D. There are both public and private transportation options from DFW to Fort Worth and Dickies Arena.
Airport & Transportation Links:
Airport Main Website: https://www.dfwairport.com
Airport Map: https://www.dfwairport.com/map/
Driving Directions to Airport: https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/transportation/directions
Getting Through Customs at DFW: https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/plan/customs
Public Transport DFW to Fort Worth by Train/Tram/Bus: https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/transportation/publictransit/
Rental Cars: https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/transportation/rentalcars
Taxis: https://www.dfwairport.com/explore/transportation/transportation/
Ride Share Companies: Uber (https://www.uber.com) and Lyft (https://www.lyft.com) operate in the area.
Useful transportation planning tool (provides options and price estimates): https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Dallas-Ft-Worth-Airport-DFW/Dickies-Arena
Requirements for foreign visitors to the USA:
Visitors from most countries are allowed into the USA provided they complete the required steps to enter the country (as anyone would traveling from their home country to another country, at least outside the European Union). This is not new; the rules for travelers from most countries (especially from most of Europe including the UK, many Latin American Countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Qatar) have not changed. Check the following links, review the process thoroughly, and choose the path that best fits your situation. And, make sure to allow time for your application to be processed. Despite the recent news headlines, it really isn’t a difficult or scary process.
IEAJ members can choose one of two paths to travel to Fort Worth for the World Cup Finals:
1-Visas for Members of the Foreign Media, Press, and Radio, link for information about an “I Visa”: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/visas-members-foreign-media-press-radio.html
2a-Visiting the USA under a “Tourism-Visit Visa”, link for information on “B-2 or combined B1/B2 visas”: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit.html 2b-Under the “Tourism-Visit Visa” information you will see that visitors to the USA from many countries are allowed to enter under the “Visa Waiver Program or VWP (sometimes also referred to as ESTA)”. There is a list of countries whose residents can apply to visit the USA under the VWP/ESTA. This would apply to most of our IEAJ members. Link for more information on the VWP/ESTA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html
Housing Options:
Look for housing close to the World Cup venue by using these key words: Dickies Arena; Fort Worth Cultural District; Will Rogers Memorial Center; Texas Christian University (TCU); Fort Worth Medical Center. (Note that the Fort Worth Historic Stockyards are a bit farther away.)
Official World Cup Housing Link: https://presto.eventpipe.com/event/e794b307-d40a-4384-9a3d-4dc1194fb59a
The hotels found at the above link are all offering discounted rates for the World Cup. There may be cheaper options elsewhere, but WC has partnerships with all of these.
(Hotels listed on this official housing link may already be fully booked, but have waitlists if you wish to add your name. However, please see notes below for more options that are still available as of 1-2-26; some of them are more affordable than on the official site and not far from the venue.)
For hotels and some rental properties, try hotel booking sites such as Hotels.com and Booking.com
For rental properties, try Airbnb.com and VRBO.com
Tourism Information:
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau https://www.fortworth.com
Becca Berger, Director of Marketing & PR, +1 817-698-7849, BeccaBerger@FortWorth.com
They have photos and B-roll available, although you must create a profile in order to request them. Here is the link: https://www.fortworth.com/media/
Weather Information:
The average daytime high temperature in April in Fort Worth is about 75°Fahrenheit (23.9 C). The average nighttime low temperature in April in Fort Worth is about 56.7°F (13.7°C). On average, it rains about 13 days out of 30 in April in Fort Worth. There will be about 12.5 daylight hours in Fort Worth during the World Cup Finals, and a UV index of around 3 is common (moderate risk). Packing a light jacket or sweater is recommended. If you plan outdoor tourism activitie,s you may want to pack sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen as well.
World Cup Press Room Information:
Press Chief:
Marty Bauman
Classic Communications
001 508-878-2394
marty@classic-communications.com
www.classic-communications.com
Estimated Press Room Capacity: Approximately125
Media Transportation To The Venue: There will be shuttle service from the Hilton, Omni and Home2Suites hotels. Those staying at other locations can go to those hotels and get on the shuttle to the venue from there. Anyone with a credential will be allowed on the shuttles.
Media Check-in procedure: Information will be emailed to credentialed media before the start of the competition.
Media Parking: Information on the availability and location of media parking will be emailed to credentialed media before the start of the competition. In all likelihood, it will be better (meaning cheaper) to utilize Uber or Lyft, rather than renting a car.
Food & Beverages: The 2026 FEI World Cup Fort Worth organizers plan to provide meals and beverages during working hours to credentialed media.
Lockers: There will be an ample number of lockers; some will be full-size and some will be only 18” deep and 9” high.
Mixed Zone: Every effort is being made to make at least one photo position area in proximity to the mixed zone is being made. The press room staff is aware that many journalists are also filling a photojournalist role these days.
Photo Positions: Photo positions on floor level will be in the two end zones only. To shoot from the sides, photographers will need to be in designated locations one level up. When making your way to a photo position and while photographing, please be courteous to ticket holders, volunteers, and World Cup/Dickies arena staff. Please direct questions and challenges to the press room staff for assistance.
Press Conferences: There will be a press briefing on Thursday and a press conference following each World Cup class in each discipline (Thu and Sat for Dressage, and Thu, Fri and Sun for Jumping).
WIFI Access: Link and password, and areas of the venue with WIFI access, will be shared upon your arrival in the press room.
Media will have access to the horse inspections on Wednesday. Access to the draw party will be announced before the start of the competition.
Media access to the rail outside the warm-up area: Media will have access to the warm-up area which is near the in-gate.
No media will be allowed in the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals stabling area unless special permission is granted by the press chief.
FEI World Cup Finals Media Video Policy: Media credentials to cover the 2026 FEI World Cup™ Finals will be granted on the condition that you agree not to shoot any video of the competition unless you receive prior written permission.
Should you wish to shoot video of the competition, whether using professional equipment or your cell phone, please send your request in advance to tobias.friedrich@fei.org . Your request will be approved by the FEI after a successful rights clearance.
Please be advised that posting of competition video content on any website or social media platform without prior written consent will be cause for revoking your credential and possible legal action. Please note that there may be a fee required for those applying to shoot on behalf of riders and/or commercial brands.
Please click on the following link to see the FEI guidelines for posting video on social media: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Social_Media_Guidelines.pdf