The Dallas Cowboys, the NFL’s most valuable franchise, began in 1960. Over the years, they have played in three stadiums. Despite the team’s name, only one of these stadiums was located in Dallas city limits. The team’s current home since 2009 is the state-of-the-art AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the third-largest city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Before this, they played at the demolished Texas Stadium in Irving for 38 years. However, the first stadium the Cowboys called home was the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in South Dallas.
The Cowboy’s first home stadium. Image courtesy of the Lester Strother Texas Metro Collection at the University of North Texas.
The Cotton Bowl: The First Home
The Cotton Bowl Stadium was built in 1930, replacing the older wooden Fair Park Stadium. Originally named Fair Park Stadium, it was renamed the Cotton Bowl in 1936. In the late 1940s, second decks were added, increasing the capacity from 45,507 to 75,504 to accommodate the growing number of fans, particularly those coming to watch SMU halfback Doak Walker. The Dallas Cowboys began playing at the Cotton Bowl in 1960, but they weren’t the first professional football team to play there. The Dallas Texans played at the Cotton Bowl in 1952 as part of the NFL, and then the team returned to Dallas in 1960 as part of the AFL, later moving to Missouri and becoming the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 1971, the Cowboys moved to Texas Stadium in Irving, famous for its distinctive hole-in-the-roof design. This remained their home until 2009, when they transitioned to AT&T Stadium. The Cotton Bowl continued to host the Cotton Bowl Classic, an annual NCAA bowl game, from 1937 to 2009, along with other significant events like the Red River Rivalry and various other tournaments. Today, the Cotton Bowl remains active as part of the Fair Park complex in Dallas, hosting events and games.
Last Updated on September 20, 2024 by F. E. Mufute