AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium is built on a scale that borders on the unreasonable, which is exactly what you would expect from the Dallas Cowboys. Its sweeping steel arches, retractable roof and enormous center-hung video board make it one of the most recognizable sports venues in the United States.

Opened in 2009, the stadium sits in Arlington between Dallas and Fort Worth. It holds around 80,000 spectators for Dallas Cowboys games and can expand toward 100,000 for selected major events. NFL football remains its main business, but the venue also hosts college football, soccer, boxing, wrestling, concerts and other large-scale productions.

Despite its polished appearance and impressive technology, AT&T Stadium requires some advance planning. Arlington has limited public transportation, parking can be expensive and the upper seating levels are genuinely high. Choose your seat and travel arrangements carefully.

AT&T Stadium at a Glance

A Stadium Designed to Overwhelm

AT&T Stadium does not reveal its full scale from a distance. The exterior is broad and relatively low compared with the towering seating bowl inside. Much of the stadium extends below ground level, allowing the immense structure to avoid looking like a conventional high-rise building.

Two steel arches dominate the design. Each spans roughly a quarter of a mile and supports the retractable roof, leaving the interior largely free from obstructive columns. The roof can open in favorable weather, while giant glass doors at each end of the stadium can also be moved to connect the seating bowl with the outdoor plazas.

The stadium was originally called Cowboys Stadium. It adopted the AT&T Stadium name in 2013 following a naming-rights agreement.

Capacity and Stadium Layout

The permanent seating capacity is approximately 80,000, although temporary seating and standing-room areas allow the stadium to accommodate much larger crowds.

The seating bowl is divided into several principal levels:

There are also more than 300 suites and around 15,000 club seats. Access between premium clubs is controlled, so a club ticket does not necessarily provide entry to every hospitality area.

What Are the Best Seats at AT&T Stadium?

The best seat depends on whether you value proximity, a complete tactical view or the atmosphere around the end zones.

Best overall views

Sections near midfield on the 200 Level provide one of the strongest combinations of elevation, comfort and field coverage. These seats are high enough to follow formations but close enough to retain a sense of the players’ speed.

Best seats close to the action

Lower-level sideline sections around midfield offer the most immediate experience. Rows farther back can be preferable to the very front because the extra height improves the angle across the field.

Best-value seats

Seats between the goal line and the 20-yard line on the upper levels can offer better value than central sections. The view is distant, but the giant video board fills in much of the detail.

Seats for Cowboys fans

The Cowboys sideline is on the northwest side of the field. Fans who want to sit behind the home bench should check the event seating chart before buying because configurations can vary.

Potential drawbacks

The highest rows of the 400 Level are a long way from the field. The video board helps enormously, although you may find yourself watching the screen more than the live action.

Some lower corner and end-zone seats can also provide a limited view of play developing at the opposite end. They are often lively areas, but they are not the best choice for studying every snap.

The Famous Video Board

The center-hung video board became the stadium’s defining interior feature when it opened. Suspended above the field, it stretches between the 20-yard lines and presents replays, statistics and live footage at a scale that is hard to ignore.

Its size creates a slightly curious viewing experience. Even with a good seat, your eyes may drift toward the screen because it provides such a clear view. Purists may grumble about attending a live game only to watch television, but the board is genuinely useful from the upper deck.

The screen also created an unusual problem during the stadium’s first NFL preseason game when a punt struck it. Stadium operations and league procedures were subsequently adjusted to account for a repeat.

Dallas Cowboys Game-Day Experience

Cowboys game days feel closer to a major entertainment production than an old-fashioned football afternoon. Music, video presentations, cheerleaders, sponsor activations and enormous concourses all contribute to the sense of spectacle.

The plazas outside the stadium become busy several hours before kickoff. Tailgating is permitted in designated spaces, subject to parking-lot rules. Fans without a private setup can visit the Miller LiteHouse area, which includes a Cowboys turf field, screens and event-day entertainment.

Inside, the crowd can become extremely loud, especially when the roof and end-zone doors are closed. The stadium sometimes feels less intimate than older NFL grounds, but few venues can match it for pure scale.

Food and Drink

AT&T Stadium has concessions throughout the concourses, ranging from standard stadium food to larger Texas-inspired dishes. Expect burgers, nachos, barbecue, hot dogs, snacks, beer and soft drinks, with additional options available in club areas.

Prices are typical of a major NFL venue, which is a polite way of saying that a full meal and several drinks will not be cheap.

The stadium operates as a cashless venue. Food, beverages, parking and retail purchases require a major card or supported mobile payment method. Current menus and venue policies are available through the official AT&T Stadium visitor guide.

How to Get to AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium is in Arlington’s entertainment district, close to Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium. It is approximately 18 miles west of downtown Dallas and around 15 miles east of Fort Worth.

Driving

Most visitors arrive by car using Interstate 30, State Highway 360 or nearby local roads. Traffic becomes heavy before Cowboys games and major concerts, so arriving early is sensible.

Do not rely entirely on the route your navigation app selects. Event-day traffic controls may direct vehicles differently from normal road conditions. The official stadium app includes navigation support for specific parking areas.

Public transportation

Arlington does not have the direct rail connection that many visitors expect from a metropolitan stadium. Public transportation options can be limited and may change according to the event.

Visitors staying in Dallas or Fort Worth should check event-specific shuttle services in advance. Assuming that a convenient train will appear on game day is a fine way to become better acquainted with a surge-pricing screen.

Rideshare and taxis

The designated rideshare location can vary by season or event. The stadium’s visitor information currently identifies Lot 15 for rideshare services, while taxis operate near the west end of Miller LiteHouse.

Always confirm the collection point before entering the stadium. Road closures after large events can make the pickup arrangement different from the drop-off route.

Parking at AT&T Stadium

Official parking surrounds the venue, with additional private lots available throughout the Arlington entertainment district. Prices vary significantly according to the event, lot and distance from the gates.

Prepaid parking is usually the safest option for Cowboys games. Check the lot number on your pass and follow the route provided for that specific area.

Passenger drop-off zones are available in Lot 1, off Randol Mill Road, and Lot 6, off Cowboys Way. Post-event access can be restricted once traffic-control measures begin.

Mobility assistance shuttles operate between Cowboys parking lots and the stadium. Accessibility shuttle tents are located near Entries A, D, G and J. Full arrangements are listed on the official parking page.

Accessibility

AT&T Stadium provides accessible seating across several price categories and viewing levels. Facilities include:

• Step-free entrances
• Accessible and family restrooms
• Elevators and escalators
• Wheelchair and companion seating
• Mobility assistance from official parking lots
• Assisted-listening devices
• Accessible passenger drop-off areas
• Guest services centers throughout the stadium

Guests requiring a particular seating arrangement should contact the ticket provider or stadium before purchasing. Availability and companion-seat configurations vary by event.

More detailed information is available through the stadium’s accessibility guide.

AT&T Stadium Bag Policy

AT&T Stadium uses a clear-bag policy for most events.

Approved bags generally include:

• Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches
• One-gallon clear resealable plastic bags
• Small clutch bags no larger than approximately 4.5 by 6.5 inches

Backpacks, camera bags, coolers, large purses, luggage and other oversized containers are prohibited. Medical and childcare requirements may be handled separately following inspection.

Policies can differ for certain concerts or special events, so check the official bag policy shortly before traveling.

Stadium Tours

AT&T Stadium can be visited outside event days through several tour formats. The available route may include the field, locker rooms, interview room, premium clubs and the stadium’s contemporary art collection.

Access to individual areas depends on event preparation. The Cowboys locker room or field may be unavailable when crews are converting the venue for a concert, soccer match or another production.

Tours are worth considering even for visitors with limited interest in the Cowboys. The engineering, art and sheer dimensions of the building are easier to appreciate when it is not filled with 80,000 people.

Tickets and current tour schedules should be booked through the official AT&T Stadium website.

Major Events

Although built for the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium has developed into one of America’s leading multipurpose venues. Its event history includes:

• Super Bowl XLV
• College Football Playoff games
• Big 12 Championship games
• NCAA Final Four basketball
• WrestleMania
• International soccer
• CONCACAF Gold Cup matches
• Copa América
• World championship boxing
• Professional bull riding
• Major international concert tours
• FIFA World Cup matches in 2026

Converting the stadium between events is a considerable operation. Seating, field surfaces, production equipment and hospitality spaces can all change according to the requirements of the next booking.

Where to Stay

Arlington is the most convenient base for visitors attending an event. Hotels around the entertainment district reduce the need to cross the Dallas-Fort Worth area after the final whistle.

The main options are:

• Arlington Entertainment District: Best for stadium access and short transfers
• Downtown Dallas: Better for nightlife, restaurants and a wider city break
• Downtown Fort Worth: A good alternative with its own cultural attractions
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport area: Practical for short visits and early flights

Check walking routes carefully when booking an Arlington hotel. A property can look close on a map while still being separated from the stadium by highways, large parking lots or roads without comfortable pedestrian access.

What Is Near AT&T Stadium?

The stadium sits within one of the busiest sports and entertainment areas in Texas.

Nearby attractions include:

• Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers
• Choctaw Stadium
• Texas Live!
• Six Flags Over Texas
• Hurricane Harbor Arlington
• National Medal of Honor Museum
• Restaurants and bars around the entertainment district

Texas Live! is a popular choice before and after events, particularly for visitors who are not tailgating. It can become extremely crowded on major game days.

Is AT&T Stadium Worth Visiting?

AT&T Stadium is one of the most ambitious venues built during the modern NFL era. It is polished, technologically advanced and capable of hosting almost any major indoor event. The scale can reduce the intimacy found at older football grounds, especially from the upper deck, but that is part of its character.

For Cowboys fans, it is an essential visit. For stadium enthusiasts, the engineering, movable roof, giant end-zone doors, art collection and vast video board make it equally compelling.

The main weakness is transport. A stadium of this size would benefit enormously from direct rail access. Until that changes, parking and post-event travel should be treated as part of the ticket-buying decision rather than an afterthought.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capacity of AT&T Stadium?

The regular capacity is approximately 80,000. The venue can expand toward 100,000 for selected events through additional and standing-room accommodation.

Is AT&T Stadium covered?

Yes. It has a retractable roof that allows events to take place in an enclosed, climate-controlled environment.

Does AT&T Stadium use real grass?

The Dallas Cowboys normally play on artificial turf. Temporary natural-grass systems have been used for selected international soccer events.

Can you tour AT&T Stadium?

Yes. Stadium tours are offered on selected non-event days, although routes and access depend on the stadium schedule.

Is AT&T Stadium in Dallas?

No. It is in Arlington, roughly between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Is there a train to AT&T Stadium?

There is no direct regular rail station at the stadium. Most visitors drive, use rideshare services or arrange an event-specific shuttle.

Can you pay with cash inside the stadium?

No. AT&T Stadium is cashless for food, drink, parking and retail purchases.