Fort Worth is gearing up for the FEI World Cup Finals April 8–12, with Dickies Arena set to host elite show jumping and dressage while nearby Will Rogers Memorial Center temporarily transforms into a full‑service “horse hotel.” In all, 54 top equine athletes — 36 jumpers and 18 dressage horses — are expected to be stabled in the city, with teams arriving the week before competition. The setup puts Will Rogers’ recently upgraded livestock barns to work and gives locals a rare peek at the behind‑the‑scenes machinery of international horse sport.
Arrival Plans And Animal Care
Will Rogers Memorial Center general manager Allison McNamara said the international horses are scheduled to land at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport on April 3, then move to Will Rogers for a two‑day quarantine and veterinary screening, according to Patch. Organizers say FEI stewards and a veterinary team will monitor the horses around the clock to track health and fitness in the days leading up to the finals.
Renovations Turned Barns Into A Horse Hotel
The Sheep & Swine Barn at Will Rogers was modernized last year as part of about $40 million in upgrades that brought new ventilation, lighting and roughly 325 additional stalls, according to Fort Worth Report. Will Rogers’ permanent stalls measure about 10 by 10 feet, but organizers say the FEI is bringing in larger 12‑by‑12‑foot units to better fit taller warmbloods, per a City of Fort Worth post. The upgrades also added warm‑up arenas and improved handling areas that organizers describe as essential for hosting a top‑tier international event.
— City of Fort Worth (@CityofFortWorth) April 2, 2026
What’s Happening At Dickies Arena
Dickies Arena is slated to stage the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final and the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final April 8–12, according to the venue’s event information. The jumping field alone includes riders from 19 countries, bringing Olympians and former World Cup champions to Fort Worth, as outlined in press materials summarized by World of Showjumping.
Local Logistics And What To Expect
Organizers have laid out a tight schedule: some international flights are booked to arrive at DFW on April 3 with planned transfers to Will Rogers later that morning, a timing detail highlighted in partner announcements. Fort Worth Business Press notes both airport and on‑site arrivals, and city leaders frame the event as a chance to showcase Fort Worth’s equestrian infrastructure to a global audience…