AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium is a large stadium with a retractable roof in Arlington, Texas. It is the home of the Dallas Cowboys, a team in the National Football League. The stadium was finished on May 27, 2009, and has since hosted many important games and events. It is also used for concerts, basketball games, soccer matches, college and high-school football games, rodeos, motocross, Spartan Races, and professional wrestling.

The stadium is often called Jerry World, named after the team's owner, Jerry Jones. It can seat 80,000 people, but with special seating areas, it can hold more than 100,000 people, making it the largest stadium in the NFL. It even holds a record for the most people at an NFL game, with over 105,000 fans in 2009. The stadium also has very large screens for fans to watch the action.

Construction and design

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was originally planned to cost $650 million but ended up costing $1.15 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports venues ever built. To help pay for it, the city of Arlington agreed to raise some taxes, and the owner of the Dallas Cowboys also helped cover extra costs.

The stadium was designed to look like a civic building rather than just a sports place. It has very tall arches and many large screens for fans to watch games. The roof can be opened or closed to protect against weather, and the field can be changed for different events like concerts or other sports.

Timeline

In 1994, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys wanted to make their old stadium bigger and better for big events like the Super Bowl. Over the next few years, they looked at different places to build a new stadium. In 2004, they decided to build it in Arlington, Texas. People voted to help pay for it, and construction began in 2005.

The stadium was finished and opened to the public on May 27, 2009. The first event was a country music concert on June 6, 2009. The first football game there was a preseason game on August 21, 2009, and the first regular-season NFL game was on September 20, 2009. The stadium has hosted many big events, including the Super Bowl in 2011 and wrestling’s WrestleMania in 2016 and 2022.

Naming

Before it had an official name, fans called the stadium many fun nicknames like "Jerry World" and "Cowboys Cathedral." On May 13, 2009, it was named Cowboys Stadium.

Later, on July 25, 2013, the name changed to AT&T Stadium when a company agreed to pay for the naming rights. Special large letters were placed on top of the stadium to show the new name. This stadium and another one in Lubbock, Texas, both share the AT&T name.

Video boards

Guinness World Records attended a game on September 28, 2009, between the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers. They awarded certificates to the chairman of Mitsubishi Electric and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for having the world's largest HD video display. When basketball games are held at the stadium, such as the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, the twin video screens are bigger than the basketball court itself. While other stadiums have built even larger screens since then, these video boards are still counted among the largest in the world.

Major events

NBA All-Star Weekend

On February 14, 2010, the stadium hosted the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. With an announced crowd of 108,713, the game became the highest-attended basketball game in history, setting a new record. The East squad won with a score of 141–139 over the West.

NFL

• On January 3, 2010, the Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in a 24–0 shutout to win the NFC East division title.
• On January 9, 2010, the Cowboys hosted the stadium's first playoff game, again playing the Eagles. Dallas won 34–14 in the 2009 NFC Wild Card Game.
• On February 6, 2011, the stadium hosted Super Bowl XLV, in which the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31–25. Others bidding for the game's location were the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cowboys attempted to increase the stadium's capacity to 105,000 seats in hopes of setting the record for attendance at a Super Bowl. In a last-minute attempt to add seats, seven construction workers were injured by ice sliding off of the stadium roof during an ice storm. Hours before kickoff, over 1,200 seats were blocked off in the interest of safety. Approximately 800 people were given other seats inside the stadium, however, about 400 people were unable to be seated. Individuals in the latter group were given free tickets to the next year's Super Bowl and a letter from the NFL that could be exchanged for three times the face value of the Super Bowl XLV ticket. They were also given the option to either watch Super Bowl XLV on a TV in one of the stadium's lounges, where they would be unable to see the field in person, or watch on screens outside the stadium. Super Bowl XLV's attendance of 103,219 fell 766 short of the record set in Super Bowl XIV.
• In 2018, the stadium hosted the 2018 NFL draft.

College football

College Football Playoff National Championship

• January 12, 2015: The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks 42–20, before a crowd of 85,689 in the inaugural 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Big 12 Championship Game

AT&T Stadium was the site of the 2009 and 2010 Big 12 Championship Games, the last two held prior to the 2010–13 Big 12 Conference realignment. On December 5, 2009, the Texas Longhorns defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 13–12 in the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game, the first to be held in the stadium with attendance announced at 76,211. The following year, on December 4, 2010, the Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers rekindled their rivalry as the Sooners won 23–20 in the final Big 12 Championship game until the 2017 season.

Cotton Bowl Classic

• January 2, 2010: In the first bowl game played at the stadium, the Ole Miss Rebels defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 21–7 in the 74th installment of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. Attendance was 77,928.
• January 7, 2011: In the 75th installment of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the LSU Tigers defeated the Texas A&M Aggies with an outstanding attendance of 83,514.
• January 6, 2012: The Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Kansas State Wildcats, 29–16. Attendance was 80,956.
• January 4, 2013: The Texas A&M Aggies defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 41–13 to finish the season with an 11–2 record. Johnny Manziel rushed for 229 yards during the game, a Cotton Bowl record and national bowl record for a quarterback.
• January 3, 2014: The Missouri Tigers defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 41–31 in front of an attendance of 72,690.
• January 1, 2015: The Michigan State Spartans rallied from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Baylor Bears 42–41 in front of an attendance of 71,464.
• January 2, 2017: The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Western Michigan Broncos in front of 59,615.
• December 29, 2017: The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the USC Trojans by a score of 24–7 in front of 67,510.
• December 29, 2018: The Clemson Tigers defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 30–3 in front of 72,183.
• December 28, 2019: The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Memphis Tigers 53–39 in front of 72,183.
• December 30, 2020: The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Florida Gators 55–20 in front of 17,323.
• December 31, 2021: The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 27–6 in front of 76,313 in a College Football Playoff semifinal.
• January 2, 2023: The Tulane Green Wave defeated the USC Trojans 46–45 in front of 55,329.
• December 29, 2023: The Missouri Tigers defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 14–3 in front of 70,114.
• January 10, 2025: The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Texas Longhorns 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Rose Bowl

• January 1, 2021: The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31–14 in front of 18,373. This game was the first since 1942 that the Rose Bowl was not played in Pasadena, California; prompted by restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advocare Classic

• September 5, 2009: The Brigham Young University Cougars and Oklahoma Sooners played the first college football game in the new stadium, with the Cougars upsetting the Sooners, 14–13, in front of 75,437 spectators.
• September 4, 2010: TCU defeated Oregon State 30–21, before a crowd of 46,138.
• September 3, 2011: LSU defeated Oregon 40–27, before a crowd of 87,711.
• September 1, 2012: Defending 2011 champion Alabama defeated Michigan 41–14, before a crowd of 90,413.
• August 31, 2013: LSU defeated TCU 37–27, before a crowd of 80,230.
• August 30, 2014: Defending 2013 champion Florida State defeated Oklahoma State 37–31, before a crowd of 61,521.
• August 31, 2019: Auburn defeated the Oregon Ducks 27–21, after rallying from a 15-point deficit in the 3rd quarter.

Southwest Classic

The Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Aggies football rivalry, which began in 1903, was renewed in 2009 as the Southwest Classic, and was played at Cowboys Stadium from 2009 through 2011. In 2012, Texas A&M joined Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference, and the series reverted to the schools' home fields, Kyle Field in College Station, Texas for the 2012 game and Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2013. The Southwest Classic returned to AT&T Stadium in 2014 and will remain there through at least 2024. The 2020 game was moved from Arlington to College Station due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• October 3, 2009: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones watched his alma mater, the Arkansas Razorbacks, defeat the Texas A&M Aggies 47–19 in the first of ten games called the Southwest Classic to be played at the stadium.
• October 9, 2010: The Arkansas Razorbacks jumped out to an early 21–7 lead, and held on to defeat the Texas A&M Aggies, 24–17.
• October 1, 2011: The Arkansas Razorbacks rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat the Texas A&M Aggies 41–38.
• September 27, 2014: The Texas A&M Aggies rallied from a deficit to force overtime and then scored the only TD for the 35–28 win to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks.
• September 26, 2015: Texas A&M rallied from a fourth quarter deficit for the second straight year versus Arkansas, beating the Razorbacks 28–21 in OT.
• September 24, 2016: After being tied at halftime, the Aggies dominated the second half to defeat the Razorbacks 45–24.
• September 25, 2021: Arkansas snaps 9-game losing streak against the Aggies, defeating Texas A&M 20–10 and going 4-0 for the first time since 2003.

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Shootout

In 2009, the Big 12 Conference game between the Baylor Bears and Texas Tech Red Raiders was held at Cowboys Stadium, the first time in the series the match-up was held on a neutral site. The game was the highest attended in the series' history, with 71,964 in attendance. After the 2010 game was held at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, Dallas during the State Fair of Texas, the series returned to AT&T Stadium for the 2011 and 2012 games.

East–West Shrine Bowl

The 100th edition of the East–West Shrine Bowl, a postseason all-star game, was held at AT&T Stadium on January 30, 2025.

Basketball

• December 19, 2009: In the first college basketball game at the stadium, before a crowd of 38,052, the Texas Longhorns defeated the defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels, 103–90.
• March 2013: 2013 NCAA Tournament South Regional featuring 3 games with the winner of the third going to the NCAA men's Final Four
• 2014: 2014 NCAA men's Final Four

Soccer

• July 19, 2009 – Cowboys Stadium hosted two matches in the quarterfinal round of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Costa Rica defeated Guadeloupe, 5–1. Mexico shut out Haiti, 4–0 in front of 85,000 fans.
• July 17, 2010 – On July 17, 2010, two of the top professional soccer clubs in Mexico – Club America and San Luis F.C. – met in a friendly at Cowboys Stadium. Club America made its second appearance at Cowboys Stadium. In 2009, Club America played Chelsea FC in the World Football Challenge in front of 57,229 fans at Cowboys Stadium.
• June 5, 2011 – Cowboys Stadium hosted the opening matches of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Costa Rica defeated Cuba 5–0 in the opener, while Mexico defeated El Salvador 5–0 in the nightcap in front of 80,108 fans.
• August 6, 2011 – 2011 World Football Challenge; Club America vs FC Barcelona; score 2–0 in front of 60,087 fans.
• June 3, 2012 – Cowboys Stadium hosted a soccer match in which Mexico played against 5-time world cup champions Brazil. Mexico defeated Brazil 2–0 with goals from Giovani dos Santos and Javier Hernández.
• July 24, 2013 – Cowboys Stadium hosted the semifinals matches of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. United States defeated Honduras 3–1 and Panama defeated Mexico 2–1. It was the last event at the venue using the name Cowboys Stadium, and was the first appearance of the U.S. soccer team at this stadium.
• July 22, 2017 – 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final. United States defeated Costa Rica 2–0.
• July 31, 2018 – 2018 International Champions Cup; AS Roma defeated FC Barcelona 4–2
• July 10, 2021 – 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage. Mexico draws with Trinidad and Tobago 0–0.
• July 25, 2021 – 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final. United States defeated Jamaica 1–0.
• July 8, 2023 – 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals, Mexico defeats Costa Rica 2–0, Panama defeats Qatar 4–0.
• July 29, 2023 – In a friendly match, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–0 in front of 82,026 fans.
• March 21–24, 2024 – 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, United States defeated Mexico 2–0.
• June 21, 2024 – 2024 Copa América group stage. Peru ties Chile 0–0.
• June 23, 2024 – 2024 Copa América group stage. United States defeated Bolivia 2–0.
• July 5, 2024 – 2024 Copa América quarter-final. Canada defeats Venezuela 4–3 on penalties after tying 1–1.
• June 18, 2025 – 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage. Costa Rica defeats the Dominican Republic 2–1, Mexico defeats Suriname 2–0.
• June 22, 2025 – 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage. United States defeats Haiti 2–1, Dominican Republic draws with Suriname 0–0.

2026 FIFA World Cup

AT&T Stadium will host nine matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be organized and hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is also one of two venues in Texas which have been selected to host matches, the other being NRG Stadium in Houston. The stadium will undergo renovations in the years prior to the start of the tournament. The stadium will temporarily change its name to "Dallas Stadium" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names. The stadium will host the most matches of any venue in the tournament. The matches include five group stage matches, two Round of 32 matches, one Round of 16 match, and one semifinal match.

Boxing

The stadium has hosted multiple world championship boxing fights since its opening, as the large capacity and retractable roof make it an ideal venue for boxing events throughout the year. Many of the sport's biggest stars including Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Álvarez have headlined championship bouts there.

• March 13, 2010 - The Event: Before a crowd of 50,994, Manny Pacquiao recorded a unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey to retain his WBO welterweight title.
• November 13, 2010 – The Eighth Wonder of the World: In front of 41,734 fans, Manny Pacquiao defeated Antonio Margarito to win the WBC super welterweight title. In doing so, he made history in becoming the first fighter to win world titles in 8 different weight classes.
• September 17, 2016 – Before a crowd of 51,420, Canelo Álvarez defeated Liam Smith by knockout in round nine to win the WBO light middleweight title. The event broke the then-AT&T Stadium attendance record for boxing.
• March 16, 2019 - Before a crowd of 47,525, Errol Spence Jr. defended his IBF welterweight title in his 12-round shutout of undefeated four-division world champion Mikey Garcia on Fox Sports PPV.
• December 5, 2020 - In front of 16,978 fans due to COVID-19 restrictions, Errol Spence Jr. defeated Danny García by unanimous decision in 12 rounds.
• May 8, 2021 - Face The Fearless: Before a crowd of 73,126 people, which broke the all-time attendance record for a boxing event at an indoor venue in the United States, Canelo Álvarez unified the WBA (Super), WBC and WBO super-middleweight titles when he beat undefeated two-division world champion Billy Joe Saunders by eighth-round corner retirement.
• April 15, 2022 - Errol Spence Jr. unified the WBA (Super), WBC and IBF welterweight titles when he beat Yordenis Ugas by tenth-round knockout before a crowd of 40,828.
• November 5, 2024, YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul defeated former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in a unanimous decision before a crowd of 72,300. The bout was streamed globally on Netflix, with 65 million people watching the event concurrently.

WrestleMania

AT&T Stadium hosted WWE's WrestleMania 32 on April 3, 2016. It was the third WrestleMania to be hosted in Texas. The area also hosted activities throughout the region for the week-long celebration leading up to WrestleMania itself. 101,763 people attended the event breaking the previous WrestleMania attendance record set at WrestleMania III.

On April 2 and 3, 2022, the stadium hosted WrestleMania 38. 131,372 people attended the two night event.

Supercross

AT&T Stadium has hosted a round of the AMA Supercross Championship since 2010, replacing Texas Stadium, which had been host since 1975.

Ice Hockey

AT&T Stadium is set to host the 2027 NHL Stadium Series between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights. The game is scheduled for February 20, 2027.

Concerts

Other events

• September 5, 2009 – Led by a strong defensive effort and quarterback Max Hall's 329 yards passing, No. 20 BYU defeated No. 3 Oklahoma 14–13 in the first college game played in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

• September 7, 2009 – The first high school football game played at Cowboys Stadium was between Euless Trinity and Bingham (Utah). Trinity won, 42–21.

• November 12, 2009 – The first Texas high school football playoff game played at Cowboys Stadium was between Bowie High School (Arlington, Texas) and Richland High School (North Richland Hills; Texas).

• February 2010 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational in February 2010.

• February 2010 – The first MDA Muscle Walk in the Dallas-Fort Worth area took place. This event was held annually, having returned in 2011, 2012, and 2013. That event has since moved to Globe Life Park in Arlington starting in 2014.

• February 27, 2010 – The stadium hosted its first Monster Jam event with 11 trucks. This event is now held annually, having returned in 2011 and scheduled for 2012 and onward.

• June 30, 2011 – The final round of the 2011 US Women's Open in bowling was played at Cowboys Stadium, with Leanne Hulsenberg winning.

• Dec. 7 – 17, 2011 – Cowboys Stadium hosted all the Texas 11-man football state championships for the first time. It was also the first time all 11-man state championships were held in one location.

• February 2011 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational in February 2011.

• February 2012 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational in February 2012.

• February 2013 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational in February 2013.

• February 11, 2013 – American Sniper Chris Kyle's memorial ceremony proceeded by a 200-mile procession across Texas.

• March 2014 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational in February 2014.

• March 2014 – The inaugural The American Rodeo was held.

• April 26, 2014 – AT&T Stadium hosted the senior prom of South Garland High School.

• June 27 – 29, 2014 – International Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses

• July 6, 2014 – Semi-pro football (EFL) held its first indoor Pro Bowl game.

• July 25–27, 2014 – International Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses

• February 2015 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Choctaw Casino Resort Iron Cowboy in February 2015.

• March 2015 – The American Rodeo was held.

• March 7, 2015 – The 2015 AT&T American Cup, an FIG World Cup event, is held at the stadium.

• June 20, 2015 – AT&T Stadium hosted thousands of Spartans for Reebok's Spartan Race.

• January 12, 2016 – The world premiere of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi was shown on the stadium's high-definition video board. It was attended by over 30,000 people.

• February 2016 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Choctaw Casino Resort Iron Cowboy in February 2016.

• February 2016 – The American Rodeo was held.

• March 6, 2016 – Greg Laurie's Harvest America took place at the stadium. It is considered the largest evangelical event ever. Special guests included Chris Tomlin, Lecrae, MercyMe, and Switchfoot.

• February 2017 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the Choctaw Casino Resort Iron Cowboy in February 2017.

• February 2017 – The American Rodeo was held.

• February 2018 – The Professional Bull Riders hosted the WinStar World Casino and Resort Iron Cowboy in 2018.

• February 2018 – The American Rodeo was held.

• February 2019 – The third PBR Global Cup took place at AT&T Stadium.

• March 2019 – The American Rodeo was held.

• February 2020 – The fourth PBR Global Cup was held.

• March 2020 – The American Rodeo was held.

• November 2020 – The annual PBR World Finals took place at AT&T Stadium after being moved from Las Vegas due to Nevada state restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• March 2021 – The American Rodeo was held.

• February 2022 – The fifth PBR Global Cup was held.

• March 2022 – The American Rodeo was held.

• May 2024 – Kid Rock's Rock n' Rodeo was held.

• May 2024 – The final two days of the 2024 PBR World Finals were held.

• November 2, 2024 - Major League Wiffle Ball hosted its 2024 World Series at the stadium.

• May 2025 – Kid Rock's Rock n' Rodeo was held.

• March 2026 – Grand Prix of Arlington's course will feature AT&T stadium.

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Concessions and merchandising

On October 20, 2008, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and the owner of the New York Yankees announced a partnership called Legends Hospitality Management LLC. This company would take care of food and selling team items at the new stadium in Arlington, Texas, and at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. A former leader of Pizza Hut would manage the company from its office in Newark, New Jersey. The company received support from a Wall Street investment firm and a Dallas private equity firm.

Art collection

The Jones family asked 18 modern artists to make special artworks just for the stadium. You can see paintings, sculptures, and installations by artists like Franz Ackermann, Doug Aitken, Ricci Albenda, and many more.

In 2013, the stadium got a special sculpture called Sky Mirror made by Anish Kapoor. It is placed in a plaza outside the east end of the stadium.

Transportation

Parking

Parking at Dallas Cowboys games costs around $75 per spot for premium areas. For big concerts and other sports events, parking is about $40 per spot. A shuttle runs between the T&P Station and AT&T Stadium for Cowboys games and some college football games, carrying about 900 people each time. During very special events like Super Bowl XLV, parking prices can go up to $990.

Public transit

The stadium used to be reached by a special bus called the Metro Arlington Xpress (MAX). This bus stopped near Collins and Andrews and connected to the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) at CentrePort/DFW Airport. This bus service started in April 2013 and was run by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. In December 2017, it was replaced by a ride-sharing service. While this new service still connects to the CentrePort/DFW Airport station, it does not run on Sundays.

Criticisms

Video boards

Since AT&T Stadium opened, some people have complained about the big video screens above the field. During an early game on August 21, 2009, a kick by a player from the Tennessee Titans hit one of the screens. This made some people worry that the screens might interfere with special teams plays.

Sunlight glare

AT&T Stadium has large windows that let in a lot of sunlight. During late afternoon games, this sunlight can create a glare that makes it hard for players to see the ball. Some players have said the glare makes it difficult to see passes or kicks. In a 2024 game, a player missed a possible touchdown because of the glare. Some people think the stadium should use curtains to block the sunlight during games, but the team has not done this yet.