Please join the SMU Mission Foods Texas–Mexico Center and the SMU Bridwell Institute, in partnership with the SMU Sport Management Program, for the Spring 2026 Texas Economic Forum: Rising Sports in North Texas: IndyCar & Cricket.

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Time: 4:00 p.m. Reception | 5:00 p.m. Panel

Location: Crum Auditorium, Collins Executive Education Center, SMU, 3150 Binkley Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

The event is free and open to the public. Please register below.

DFW is a major global sports hub, and notably, Mexican-born driver Pato O’Ward, who was raised in Texas and a star of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team, will compete in the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington (March 13–15), underscoring the deep cultural and economic ties between Texas and Mexico in global sports industries and the growing role of sports in the Texas–Mexico and broader North American economy.

This forum will explore two rapidly growing sports in our region—IndyCar and cricket—examining the economics shaping these leagues, including the Grand Prix’s arrival in North Texas and Major League Cricket’s international-level competition at its dedicated stadium in Grand Prairie, and their significance for our local community and regional growth.

Featuring:

This forum is part of the Mission Foods Texas–Mexico Center’s broader Spring series on sports, economic integration, and regional competitiveness. As a preview, please stay tuned for details on our April 16 program, Championing North America: The Trilateral Economy and the Power of Soft Diplomacy, which will examine the USMCA review and the 2026 World Cup and the effects they will have on the North American economic integration.

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Any person who requires a reasonable accommodation on the basis of a disability in order to participate in this program should email to texasmexico@smu.edu in advance at least 4 days prior to the event to arrange for the accommodation.​​

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SMU Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center | https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Texas-Mexico​​

3300 University Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75275-0117​​

214-768-4716 texasmexico@smu.edu