Walk through the gates of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the scale hits you before you’ve found your seat. Two steel arches rise 292 feet overhead, a 1.2-million-pound video board hangs 90 feet above the turf, and at each end zone a glass wall five stories tall can slide open to let in the Texas sky. This is Jerry World — and nothing about it was built to be modest.
When Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opened the stadium on May 27, 2009, after a $1.15 billion construction project, he redefined what an NFL venue could be. Designed by HKS Architects, AT&T Stadium quickly became a destination in its own right — hosting Super Bowls, record-breaking NBA games, back-to-back WrestleManias, and now, in 2026, a FIFA World Cup semifinal.
Quick Answer
AT&T Stadium — nicknamed Jerry World — is the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. It opened in 2009, seats roughly 80,000 (expandable past 100,000), and is one of the most technologically advanced sports venues in the world, known for its retractable roof, the massive center-hung video board that set a Guinness World Record, and a $40 million contemporary art collection on public display throughout the building.
Stats at a Glance
AT&T Stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and sits at 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, Texas. It opened May 27, 2009, at a final cost of approximately $1.15 billion — nearly double its original $650 million estimate. HKS Architects designed the building, with structural engineering by Walter P Moore. Standard seating capacity is around 80,000, expandable well past 100,000 for major events. The roof is retractable, and the defining interior feature is the center-hung video board spanning 160 feet wide by 72 feet tall.
Architecture: Built to Be a Landmark
HKS Architects received a single clear brief from the Jones family: design a stadium as bold as the Cowboys brand. The result is anchored by two exterior steel arches, each 292 feet tall, that span the full length of the building and support the roof structure — eliminating interior columns and giving every seat an unobstructed view of the field. The playing surface sits roughly 50 feet below street level, deepening the amphitheater effect and bringing upper-deck fans closer to the action than the sheer size of the building might suggest.
The retractable roof consists of two panels, each measuring 256 by 410 feet and fabricated from translucent tensile fabric, operated by a rack-and-pinion drive system that opens or closes them in about 12 minutes. At each end zone, five-panel retractable glass walls stand 120 feet tall and 180 feet wide — the largest operable glass doors in the world when the stadium opened. Each panel is 38 feet wide and can move independently of the roof, funneling a cross-breeze through the bowl even when the dome stays sealed. Dallas-based Haley-Greer glass systems designed and built the doors; mechanization consultants Uni-Systems handled the roof drive.
The Video Board: A Screen Built to Stun
The defining interior spectacle is the center-hung video board. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric at a cost of around $40 million, it measures approximately 160 feet wide by 72 feet tall, weighs 1.2 million pounds, and hangs 90 feet above the playing field. Guinness World Records certified it as the world’s largest HD video display on September 28, 2009. It held that title until SoFi Stadium opened its own display in 2020.
The board’s proximity to the field is both its selling point and its quirk. NFL punters have struck it during warmups, which prompted the league to establish a ground rule: a ball hitting the board remains live. It remains one of the most talked-about features in the NFL, and on any given game day the combined size and resolution of the display makes highlight replays feel closer to a cinema experience than a typical scoreboard.
The Art Collection: A Museum That Plays Football
Jerry Jones didn’t want just a football stadium — he wanted a cultural institution. The Dallas Cowboys Art Collection at AT&T Stadium comprises 99 commissioned and original works by 66 contemporary artists, installed throughout the concourses, suites, clubs, and plazas. The collection, valued at more than $40 million, includes pieces by internationally recognized names such as Ellsworth Kelly, Anish Kapoor, Jenny Holzer, and Trenton Doyle Hancock.
Crucially, the work isn’t locked away in premium areas. Most pieces are visible to any ticketholder walking the main concourses, making a game day at AT&T Stadium a legitimate opportunity to encounter major contemporary art without setting foot in a gallery. On non-game days, stadium tours can be structured specifically around the collection. It stands as one of the largest public art installations in Texas.
Major Events: More Than an NFL Venue
AT&T Stadium was engineered from the start to fill its seats for events beyond Cowboys football — and it has delivered consistently. Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 paired the Green Bay Packers against the Pittsburgh Steelers in what was then the most-watched American television broadcast in history, averaging over 111 million viewers. Less than a year before that, on February 14, 2010, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game drew 108,713 fans — at the time the highest attended basketball game ever played.
WWE has staged two WrestleMania events at the stadium: WrestleMania 32 in April 2016 drew 101,763, setting a then-WrestleMania attendance record, and WrestleMania 38 across two nights in April 2022 topped that with 131,372 cumulative attendees. College football has a permanent home here too — the Cotton Bowl Classic has been held at AT&T Stadium since 2010, and the stadium hosted the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2015, when Ohio State defeated Oregon 42–20. The 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four also made a stop here. On the concert side, tours by U2, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Metallica, and Coldplay have all sold the building out.
AT&T Stadium and the 2026 FIFA World Cup
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, AT&T Stadium is temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium and is the tournament’s most active single venue. It is scheduled to host nine matches across the competition — more than any other stadium in the United States, Canada, or Mexico combined. That run includes multiple group-stage fixtures and a semifinal on July 14, 2026.
The retractable roof is a significant practical asset for a summer tournament in north Texas, where June and July temperatures regularly exceed 95°F. For soccer fans, the 2026 World Cup represents a rare chance to experience the stadium during the world’s largest sporting event — and at a scale the building was clearly designed to handle.
Visiting AT&T Stadium
On non-event days, AT&T Stadium offers several tour formats, from self-guided audio tours (ticketed through SeatGeek) to fully guided behind-the-scenes experiences covering the field, locker rooms, press box, and the art collection. Parking for tours is available in the South Lot, with complimentary golf-cart shuttles running continuously to the entrance.
The stadium sits at 1 AT&T Way in Arlington, roughly midway between Dallas and Fort Worth — about 20 minutes from either city center without traffic. On Cowboys game days, over 12,000 on-site parking spaces open five hours before kickoff, and tailgating in those lots is a long-standing tradition. Rideshare drop-offs along Collins Street are a popular alternative that skips the parking queue entirely. The nearest train access is via the TEXRail commuter line to the DFW Airport area, though the stadium itself has no direct rail connection.
AT&T Stadium FAQs
When did AT&T Stadium open?
AT&T Stadium opened on May 27, 2009, replacing the Cowboys’ former home, Texas Stadium in Irving, which had hosted the team since 1971.
What is AT&T Stadium’s seating capacity?
Standard capacity is approximately 80,000. For major events such as WrestleMania and the NBA All-Star Game, the venue has exceeded 100,000 by adding floor configurations and standing-room areas.
Why is AT&T Stadium called Jerry World?
The nickname refers to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who championed and personally oversaw the stadium’s construction. The $1.15 billion venue reflects his stated goal of building the most spectacular sports facility in the world.
How much did AT&T Stadium cost to build?
Construction cost approximately $1.15 billion — nearly double the original $650 million estimate. The City of Arlington contributed over $325 million in bonds, approved by voters through increases to the city’s sales, hotel, and car rental taxes. Jerry Jones covered cost overruns.
Is AT&T Stadium hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. Temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium for the tournament, it will host nine matches — the most of any venue in the 2026 World Cup — including a semifinal on July 14, 2026.
What is the video board at AT&T Stadium?
The center-hung video board measures 160 feet wide by 72 feet tall, weighs 1.2 million pounds, and is suspended 90 feet above the field. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, it was certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest HD video display when it debuted in 2009.
Can you tour AT&T Stadium without attending a game?
Yes. Self-guided and guided tours are available on non-event days, covering the playing field, locker rooms, press box, and the stadium’s 99-piece contemporary art collection.
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