It's a question that often pops up when you're talking about iconic sports venues: when did it actually open its doors?
For AT&T Stadium, the impressive home of the Dallas Cowboys, that milestone year was 2009. Construction kicked off back in 2005, so it was quite a few years in the making before fans could finally step inside.
This colossal structure, which was previously known as Cowboys Stadium, is more than just a football field. It's a marvel of engineering, boasting a massive footprint of 60.7 hectares and a building area of 288,000 square meters. The price tag? A cool $1.15 billion, funded through a mix of sales tax increases, ticket taxes, car rental taxes, parking taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, county contributions, bond issuances, and of course, club investments.
What really sets it apart, though, is its sheer scale and adaptability. It's designed to hold a standard 80,000 spectators, but can expand to accommodate a staggering 105,000. And that enormous giant screen? It's become a signature feature.
Beyond being the Dallas Cowboys' home turf, AT&T Stadium has a pretty impressive resume of hosting major events. We're talking about the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and the 2016 WWE WrestleMania, among others. It was also a significant venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosting nine matches – more than any other stadium.
The design itself is pretty cutting-edge, featuring a column-free interior and a retractable roof system, which is pretty neat when you think about the Texas weather.
So, next time you see a game or event from this incredible venue, remember that it all began in 2009, marking the start of a new era for sports and entertainment in the region.
