The Dallas Cowboys have played in some of the most iconic venues in NFL history, each with a distinct legacy. But what happened to the old stadiums? And how does the current one stack up today, especially with global events headed to Texas?
Cotton Bowl: Where It All Began
The Cowboys’ first home was the Cotton Bowl, a stadium that had already built a national reputation long before the NFL came to town. Opened in 1930 as Fair Park Stadium, it was renamed in 1936 and became one of the South’s most recognized football venues.
When the Cowboys joined the league in 1960, they shared the stadium with Southern Methodist University (SMU). The venue had earned the nickname “The House That Doak Built,” thanks to the crowds SMU’s Doak Walker attracted in the late 1940s.
Though the Cowboys moved out after 1971, the stadium stayed active for college bowl games, concerts, and even soccer matches—including the 1994 FIFA World Cup. It remains standing today in Fair Park, still in occasional use and steeped in Texas football history.
Texas Stadium: The Icon with a Hole in the Roof
In 1971, the Cowboys moved west to Texas Stadium in Irving. Known for its partially covered seating and the famous “hole in the roof”—originally meant for a retractable dome that never got built—it quickly became a symbol of the team’s dominance in the 70s and 90s.
Texas Stadium, which held 65,675 fans, became legendary during the Tom Landry and Troy Aikman eras. It was demolished in 2010 after the team relocated to Arlington.
Today, the site remains mostly vacant. Rumors of redevelopment have come and gone, but nothing major has materialized.
AT&T Stadium: Bigger, Louder, and Set for a Global Stage
The Cowboys now call AT&T Stadium home. Opened in 2009 in Arlington, it was originally named Cowboys Stadium before securing its current sponsor. With a retractable roof, climate control, and a capacity that can stretch beyond 100,000, it’s one of the biggest and most technologically advanced stadiums in the world.
But this venue is about to go even bigger. In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium is undergoing nearly $300 million in renovations, including the addition of a 15-foot elevated natural grass field to meet FIFA regulations.
During the World Cup, it will temporarily drop the AT&T name and go by “Dallas Stadium” in line with FIFA’s rules.
Stadium Timeline Recap
| Stadium | Years Used by Cowboys | Location | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Bowl | 1960–1971 | Dallas | Shared with SMU; hosted 1994 World Cup games |
| Texas Stadium | 1971–2008 | Irving | Famous for its open roof |
| AT&T Stadium | 2009–Present | Arlington | One of the largest NFL stadiums by capacity |
Last Updated on June 1, 2026 by F.E.M