History of AT&T Stadium in Timeline

AT&T Stadium, located in Arlington, Texas, is a retractable roof stadium that serves as the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Completed in 2009, it replaced Texas Stadium. Owned by the City of Arlington, the stadium also hosts the Cotton Bowl Classic, the Big 12 Championship Game, and the Southwest Classic. It's set to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Besides football, the stadium is a versatile venue for concerts, basketball, soccer, rodeos, motocross, Spartan Races, and professional wrestling events.

1903: Arkansas-Texas A&M Football Rivalry Began

The Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Aggies football rivalry began in 1903.

1971: Texas Stadium became the Cowboys' home

In 1971, Texas Stadium became the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

1975: AMA Supercross Championship at Texas Stadium

Since 1975, Texas Stadium had been the host of the AMA Supercross Championship.

December 12, 2006: Retractable Roof Design Unveiled

On December 12, 2006, the design for AT&T Stadium's retractable roof was officially unveiled, showing a design similar to the Texas Stadium roof but with the added ability to be covered.

October 20, 2008: Legends Hospitality Management LLC Announced

On October 20, 2008, Cowboys owner Jones and New York Yankees owner Steinbrenner announced Legends Hospitality Management LLC, which would operate concessions and merchandising at the new Cowboys and Yankee stadiums.

2008: Texas Stadium Era Ends

The 2008 season marked the end of Texas Stadium's service as the home of the Dallas Cowboys, having been their home since 1971.

May 13, 2009: Stadium Officially Named Cowboys Stadium

On May 13, 2009, Jerry Jones announced the official name of the stadium as Cowboys Stadium.

May 27, 2009: AT&T Stadium Completion

On May 27, 2009, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas was completed. It became the home of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) and is also used for various other events.

August 21, 2009: Punt Hits Scoreboard During Preseason Game

On August 21, 2009, during AT&T Stadium's first preseason game, a punt by Tennessee Titans punter A. J. Trapasso hit the scoreboard. The down was replayed as a result.

September 28, 2009: Guinness World Record for Largest HD Video Display

On September 28, 2009, during a game against the Carolina Panthers, Guinness World Records awarded certificates for the world's largest HD video display to the chairman of Mitsubishi Electric and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

December 5, 2009: 2009 Big 12 Championship Game

On December 5, 2009, the Texas Longhorns defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 13–12 in the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game, which was the first to be held in the stadium. Attendance was at 76,211.

2009: NFL Regular Season Attendance Record

In 2009, AT&T Stadium set a record for NFL regular season game attendance with a crowd of 105,121 people.

2009: Southwest Classic Renewed at Cowboys Stadium

In 2009, the Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Aggies football rivalry was renewed as the Southwest Classic and played at Cowboys Stadium.

2009: Baylor-Texas Tech Game at Cowboys Stadium

In 2009, the Big 12 Conference game between the Baylor Bears and Texas Tech Red Raiders was held at Cowboys Stadium. The game was the highest attended in the series' history, with 71,964 in attendance.

February 14, 2010: 2010 NBA All-Star Game

On February 14, 2010, AT&T Stadium hosted the 2010 NBA All-Star Game with an attendance of 108,713, setting a new Guinness World Record as the highest-attended basketball game in history. The East won against the West with a score of 141-139.

December 4, 2010: 2010 Big 12 Championship Game

On December 4, 2010, the Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-20 in the final Big 12 Championship game until the 2017 season. The game was held at AT&T Stadium.

2010: NBA All-Star Game Held at AT&T Stadium

In 2010, AT&T Stadium hosted the NBA All-Star Game. The twin video screens were larger than the court itself.

2010: Game Held at Cotton Bowl

In 2010, a game in the series was held at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, Dallas, during the State Fair of Texas.

2010: AMA Supercross Championship at AT&T Stadium

Since 2010, AT&T Stadium has hosted a round of the AMA Supercross Championship.

2011: Southwest Classic at Cowboys Stadium

In 2011, the Southwest Classic was held at Cowboys Stadium.

2011: Series Returned to AT&T Stadium

In 2011, the series returned to AT&T Stadium.

2012: Texas A&M Joins SEC; Series Moves to Home Fields

In 2012, Texas A&M joined Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference, and the Southwest Classic series reverted to the schools' home fields.

2012: Series at AT&T Stadium

In 2012, the series remained at AT&T Stadium.

April 2013: Metro Arlington Xpress (MAX) Bus System Commenced

In April 2013, the stadium was accessible via the weekday-only Metro Arlington Xpress (MAX) bus system. The system connected with the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) station at CentrePort/DFW Airport.

July 25, 2013: Naming Rights Granted to AT&T

On July 25, 2013, the Dallas Cowboys agreed to grant naming rights to AT&T, changing the name from Cowboys Stadium to AT&T Stadium immediately. The sponsorship deal was worth an estimated $17–19 million per year.

August 24, 2013: Punter Hits Scoreboard, Again

On August 24, 2013, during a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Cowboys punter Chris Jones became the second player to hit the scoreboard, conceding a touchdown on the rekick.

2013: Big 12 Championship Games Scheduled Through 2013

AT&T Stadium was scheduled to host the Big 12 Championship Games through the 2013 season, but realignment and NCAA rules initially prevented the conference from holding a championship game.

2013: Sky Mirror Sculpture Acquired

In 2013, AT&T Stadium acquired Sky Mirror, a sculpture by Anish Kapoor, and placed it in a plaza outside the east end of the stadium.

2013: Southwest Classic at Fayetteville

In 2013, the Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Aggies game was held at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

2014: Southwest Classic Returns to AT&T Stadium

In 2014, the Southwest Classic returned to AT&T Stadium and was scheduled to remain there through at least 2024.

2014: Neutral Site Contract Could Continue

The series' neutral site contract at AT&T Stadium could continue until 2014.

April 3, 2016: WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium

On April 3, 2016, AT&T Stadium hosted WWE's WrestleMania 32. 101,763 people attended the event, breaking the previous WrestleMania attendance record.

December 2017: MAX Bus System Replaced by Ride-Sharing Service

In December 2017, the Metro Arlington Xpress (MAX) bus system was replaced by a ride-sharing service.

2017: Return of Big 12 Championship Game

The Big 12 Championship game returned in the 2017 season, after not being held since 2010.

2020: Game moved from Arlington

In 2020, a game was moved from Arlington to College Station due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: WrestleMania 38

In 2022, on April 2 and 3, AT&T Stadium hosted WrestleMania 38. 131,372 people attended the two night event.

2024: Sunlight Glare Impairs Wide Receiver's Vision

During a 2024 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb struggled to see a potential touchdown throw due to sunlight glare, leading to calls for using the stadium's curtains to block the sun.