Chuck Kalat, wife Janet and daughter Patricia walked in close step as they entered Texas Health Mansfield Stadium for the first time. Decked out in Czechia gear from head to toe, the family members admired the natural grass, joining others in the first public look at the soccer stadium.
The three aren’t new to soccer. In 1994, the last time the World Cup came to Texas, the Kalats attended a match at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. This year, they are likely to miss out on attending a game due to prices, Patricia Kalat said.
When the Czech Republic’s National Team took the field for its first practice at its base camp in Mansfield on a humid Saturday morning, possibly their only practice open to the public, the Kalats got as close to World Cup action as they would for this tournament.
“It’s nice to be actually involved with a team during the World Cup,” Chuck Kalat said, standing near the supporters section of the stadium. “Otherwise, we’d probably just be watching it on TV. This is as close as we are involved.”
From left, Janet, Patricia and Chuck Kalat pose for a photo during the Czech Republic national soccer team’s open practice June 6, 2026, at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. (Joseph Morgan | Fort Worth Report)
Hundreds of fans were interspersed throughout the top and bottom levels of the stadium’s brand-new seating.
Families arrived dressed in all manner of soccer gear, from the jerseys of English clubs like Chelsea F.C., Manchester United F.C. and Arsenal F.C. to the national team jerseys of the United States and Mexico.
As the players took the field, fans rose to their feet, cheering on the team as it took an introductory lap jogging around the field. In parts of the crowd, the Czech Republic flags were waved or hung from railings.
The Kalats, who live in Richardson, are members of American Sokol, a cultural and fitness club with groups across the country. The Sokol movement originated in the Czech Republic in 1862, before Czech immigrants brought it to the U.S.
Others in attendance didn’t have a tie to the team, but equally welcomed the players’ stay.
Andy Gray, a lifelong Mansfield native, has been a fan of soccer his entire life. From the age of 6, he began playing the game and eventually played collegiately at TCU.
Gray has also been to multiple World Cups, including in 1994, 2010 in South Africa, the 2014 iteration in Brazil and 2018 in Russia, he said.
This year, the beautiful game will be a lot closer to his home. In addition to serving as the base camp for the Czech Republic national team during the tournament, Mansfield will be the home of the North Texas Soccer Club. The United Soccer League club serves as the reserve team for Major League Soccer side FC Dallas.
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“It’s definitely more convenient to get to this stadium than to drive all the way up to Frisco,” Gray said, laughing.
For the Czechia national team, the Mansfield stadium is a far way from home.
Jaroslav Zelený, a defender who plays for Slavia Praha in the Czech Republic’s professional league, said the weather was the biggest shock for him when he arrived in Texas.
“At least today is cloudy, so it’s a little bit easier,” Zelený said. “The weather is, I think, the worst part.”
As for the support from fans, Vladimír Darida, a midfielder who plays for Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic’s professional league, said it meant a lot to see the crowd and his country’s flag flying during the practice.
“It’s nice because we are away from our homes but still have so many supporters,” Darida said.
The day also marked the public’s first official look inside the stadium, after a planned open-house event was postponed. Officials broke ground at the stadium in October 2024 and held a top-out ceremony marking the completion of the base and structure of the stadium roughly a year later.
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Arlington-based REV Entertainment, which runs stadium management for both Choctaw Stadium and Globe Life Field, oversaw construction of the new stadium and has been in charge of operations.
Madison SanFilippo, REV Entertainment vice president of sports management and brand, said on Saturday that the community reaction to the stadium and the team’s practice was great.
“To be part of the World Cup buzz in the DFW metroplex, and to have Mansfield Stadium kick it off like they have today, it’s been tremendous,” SanFilippo said.
However, the work isn’t fully complete. Some items, including outfitting the stadium’s suites and kitchens, will happen over the coming weeks with the goal of finishing before the first North Texas Soccer Club game on July 4, SanFilippo said.
The main parking lot for the stadium, SanFilippo said, will be constructed in time for that game and a rescheduled open house.
“It’s been a rush to the finish line, the rain in the area has not been our friend. The construction team has done a tremendous job to get it to this point, so we’re pleased with where we are, but there’s some punch items coming up,” she said.
As for the Kalats, they loved the stadium — and seeing their team in action.
“Now, we are way priced out of getting anywhere near a ticket,” Janet Kalat said.
“That’s why this is great,” Patricia Kalat said. “That’s why I was so excited.”
Reporting fellow Joseph Morgan contributed reporting to this story.
Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@arlingtonreport.org.
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