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One of the most recognizable venues in all of the National Football League, Texas Stadium
is home to the Dallas Cowboys, and has been the site of some of the most memorable
games in NFL history. Indeed, the history and aura of this franchise permeates from
everywhere, and it is the mystique of entering the hallowed halls of "America's Team"
which makes this experience unique and memorable.
Getting to the venue
Texas Stadium is located about 12 miles west of downtown Dallas, in the suburb of Irving,
and sits on a triangular parcel bordered on each side by expressways. Access to the
stadium is via expressway only, with multiple entrances and exits from all directions.
Parking directly outside the stadium is reserved for disabled permit holders and premium
ticket holders, and general parking ($12) is located on the other side of the expressway,
with large pedestrian walkways taking you onto the stadium property.
Outside the venue
Wellllll.... if you like looking at truck storage depots, then the parking lots at Texas Stadium
are just right for you! For a gleaming and shiny city as Dallas, their stadium sits in a grey
and desolate part of town. But with large parking lots and no place else to go, combined
with the great traditions of Cowboys football, one would think that this place would rank
high in the league in terms of tailgating and pre game parties. WRONG! Until two years ago,
the City of Irving had ordinances banning open flames, open containers, etc., thus
quashing anyone's picnic plans. Though these prohibitions have since been lifted,
Cowboys fans are just now getting into the joy and spirit of the pregame picnic and parties.
We were really disappointed at the scene here.
The anticipation builds as you make your way to the stadium, kind a grey and black monolith
with Cowboy blue accents and small "Texas Stadium" archways at each entrance. Murals of
the great Cowboys legends - Landry, Staubach, Aikman, and Irvin among others adorn each
side of the building. That anticipation was tempered, however, as fans were subject to
extensive searches prior to being allowed entry. These searches included a pat down,
opening all bags, removing items from pockets, and a hand wand metal detector comb
over. Needless to say, this meant long delays getting inside. The times we live in.......
The concourses
The stadium is two levels, each served by its own concourse. Multiple escalator towers
whisk you up and down, and although concourses are fairly spacious on the lower level,
the upper level is much narrower. Add the lines to the concessions and the restrooms, and
navigating the building becomes a cumbersome chore. Access to the suite levels is via
private elevators, which also take you to the Stadium Club restaurant.
The seating bowl
One of the most cherished and recognizable, the seating bowl is partially covered by a
huge and distinctive roof, leaving the seating areas covered and only the playing surface
exposed to the elements. One would think that they could have just gone ahead and
domed the entire building, but quite frankly, this sort of open/domed configuration is what
gives Texas Stadium its unique flavor. Furthermore, ask a Texan and a Cowboys fan if they
wished the stadium were domed, their reply would be "of course not. The roof has to be
open so that God can keep an eye on His team".
The bowl is configured in two levels, with blue and silver colored seats throughout, and in
a unique twist, each seat comes with its own built in seat cushion and storage pouch
underneath... pretty cool! Between the lower and upper levels are two levels of suites, and
yet another two levels high above the upper level. There are four scoreboards here, one
hanging in each corner. Two of them are jumbotron video boards, while the other two are
dot matrix boards showing game information. A scrolling out of town scoreboard runs in
one end zone, and there are a few stationary ad panels tucked into open spots around the
seating bowl.
Premium seats
With over 380 suites spanning four levels, the Cowboys enjoy a huge advantage over other
teams around the league, in that they do not have to share these revenue dollars with the
visiting teams. In one end zone is a Stadium Club restaurant, offering a buffet and table
seating with a view of the field. Single game admissions can be bought to the Club for $10,
plus, of course, the cost of the buffet and refreshments.
Concessions
Ballpark dreck with chicken, chicken and more chicken, along with sausage on a stick.
Seriously, the chicken burger seems to be the concession staple here at Texas Stadium.
The Miller Lite Red Zones are beer gardens located in several corners of the concourses.
"The Corral" is a food and entertainment area located outside gate 8 of the stadium, and is
open before and after the game. This tented area offers food, drink, live musical
entertainment, and is adjacent to the team's Pro Shop, offering Cowboys souvenirs and
merchandise.
Banners/retired numbers
The Cowboys won five Super Bowl championships, and their flags hang proudly along the
rim of the roof entrance high above the playing field. Of course, two of those flags are
ones we Bills fans want to forget about, as the Cowboys thrashed the Bills in Super Bowls
XXVII and XXVIII. In addition, 11 names are displayed proudly on the Cowboys "Ring of
Honor" which one can see along the far sideline. For a team with all their accomplishments,
these names come from Cowboys teams of the 60 and 70s, for the most part.
Touchdowns, extra points, fumbles
Fumble... to the late arriving Dallas fan. We left our seats for a concession run mid way
through the second quarter, and looking outside we could see an ocean of people still
making their way to the park, cars snaking along the expressway ramps, and of course,
those huge lines at the security checkpoints.
Touchdown... we are not big fans of cheerleaders, but the Cowboys cheerleaders really
stand out as the best anywhere. The outfits, the music and the routines are all well
presented. The 32 member konga line done to a rockettes medley to open the game was
outstanding!
Extra point... The karma of the Ultimate Sports Road Trip struck again, as a Cowboys team
that should have been running for the bus derailed the high flying 49ers by a 27-21 score
and it wasn't that close. This marks the 13th consecutive time that we walked out the
building with happy home team fans. And no... Terrell Owens did not get a chance to spike
the ball on the center logo!
Touchdown... to the Cowboys who operate a free shuttle ride from the outer reaches of the
parking lots to the pedestrian bridge. A good way to cut the walking distance by more than
half.
Extra point... Our search for hallowed grounds continued as we visited the Fair Park
neighborhood of Dallas to visit the first home of the Dallas Cowboys, the historic Cotton
Bowl. Of course, THE GAME was set for New Years Day between Arkansas and Oklahoma,
but our schedule did not permit us to make the game.
Summary
Not a gleaming, shiny venue with all the bells and whistles and creature comforts... not a
cool downtown setting... in fact anything but. Texas Stadium, however, is an institution, and
that is in a state where football is king. We expected a 70s style stadium with its dated look
and feel, but, despite a losing season, we were appreciative of the electricity and
excitement of these Cowboys fans who have a sense of their place in history and their
scheme of things in pro football (at least for those who got in by kickoff!). There is some
rumbling for a new stadium. We ask WHY? This stadium is still functional, still draws
respectable crowds, and the premium seat revenue can buy a whole field of oil wells. Not
the best, not the worst, but somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Scoring:
Architecture: 8
Food and team store 5
Scoreboard and electronics 4
Ushers 4
Fan support 5
Location and neighborhood 3
Banners and history 8
In game entertainment 9
Concourses/fan comfort 3
Bonus: Tailgate scene 1, Cowboys cheerleaders 2, Distinctive roof 1
Total: 54
is home to the Dallas Cowboys, and has been the site of some of the most memorable
games in NFL history. Indeed, the history and aura of this franchise permeates from
everywhere, and it is the mystique of entering the hallowed halls of "America's Team"
which makes this experience unique and memorable.
Getting to the venue
Texas Stadium is located about 12 miles west of downtown Dallas, in the suburb of Irving,
and sits on a triangular parcel bordered on each side by expressways. Access to the
stadium is via expressway only, with multiple entrances and exits from all directions.
Parking directly outside the stadium is reserved for disabled permit holders and premium
ticket holders, and general parking ($12) is located on the other side of the expressway,
with large pedestrian walkways taking you onto the stadium property.
Outside the venue
Wellllll.... if you like looking at truck storage depots, then the parking lots at Texas Stadium
are just right for you! For a gleaming and shiny city as Dallas, their stadium sits in a grey
and desolate part of town. But with large parking lots and no place else to go, combined
with the great traditions of Cowboys football, one would think that this place would rank
high in the league in terms of tailgating and pre game parties. WRONG! Until two years ago,
the City of Irving had ordinances banning open flames, open containers, etc., thus
quashing anyone's picnic plans. Though these prohibitions have since been lifted,
Cowboys fans are just now getting into the joy and spirit of the pregame picnic and parties.
We were really disappointed at the scene here.
The anticipation builds as you make your way to the stadium, kind a grey and black monolith
with Cowboy blue accents and small "Texas Stadium" archways at each entrance. Murals of
the great Cowboys legends - Landry, Staubach, Aikman, and Irvin among others adorn each
side of the building. That anticipation was tempered, however, as fans were subject to
extensive searches prior to being allowed entry. These searches included a pat down,
opening all bags, removing items from pockets, and a hand wand metal detector comb
over. Needless to say, this meant long delays getting inside. The times we live in.......
The concourses
The stadium is two levels, each served by its own concourse. Multiple escalator towers
whisk you up and down, and although concourses are fairly spacious on the lower level,
the upper level is much narrower. Add the lines to the concessions and the restrooms, and
navigating the building becomes a cumbersome chore. Access to the suite levels is via
private elevators, which also take you to the Stadium Club restaurant.
The seating bowl
One of the most cherished and recognizable, the seating bowl is partially covered by a
huge and distinctive roof, leaving the seating areas covered and only the playing surface
exposed to the elements. One would think that they could have just gone ahead and
domed the entire building, but quite frankly, this sort of open/domed configuration is what
gives Texas Stadium its unique flavor. Furthermore, ask a Texan and a Cowboys fan if they
wished the stadium were domed, their reply would be "of course not. The roof has to be
open so that God can keep an eye on His team".
The bowl is configured in two levels, with blue and silver colored seats throughout, and in
a unique twist, each seat comes with its own built in seat cushion and storage pouch
underneath... pretty cool! Between the lower and upper levels are two levels of suites, and
yet another two levels high above the upper level. There are four scoreboards here, one
hanging in each corner. Two of them are jumbotron video boards, while the other two are
dot matrix boards showing game information. A scrolling out of town scoreboard runs in
one end zone, and there are a few stationary ad panels tucked into open spots around the
seating bowl.
Premium seats
With over 380 suites spanning four levels, the Cowboys enjoy a huge advantage over other
teams around the league, in that they do not have to share these revenue dollars with the
visiting teams. In one end zone is a Stadium Club restaurant, offering a buffet and table
seating with a view of the field. Single game admissions can be bought to the Club for $10,
plus, of course, the cost of the buffet and refreshments.
Concessions
Ballpark dreck with chicken, chicken and more chicken, along with sausage on a stick.
Seriously, the chicken burger seems to be the concession staple here at Texas Stadium.
The Miller Lite Red Zones are beer gardens located in several corners of the concourses.
"The Corral" is a food and entertainment area located outside gate 8 of the stadium, and is
open before and after the game. This tented area offers food, drink, live musical
entertainment, and is adjacent to the team's Pro Shop, offering Cowboys souvenirs and
merchandise.
Banners/retired numbers
The Cowboys won five Super Bowl championships, and their flags hang proudly along the
rim of the roof entrance high above the playing field. Of course, two of those flags are
ones we Bills fans want to forget about, as the Cowboys thrashed the Bills in Super Bowls
XXVII and XXVIII. In addition, 11 names are displayed proudly on the Cowboys "Ring of
Honor" which one can see along the far sideline. For a team with all their accomplishments,
these names come from Cowboys teams of the 60 and 70s, for the most part.
Touchdowns, extra points, fumbles
Fumble... to the late arriving Dallas fan. We left our seats for a concession run mid way
through the second quarter, and looking outside we could see an ocean of people still
making their way to the park, cars snaking along the expressway ramps, and of course,
those huge lines at the security checkpoints.
Touchdown... we are not big fans of cheerleaders, but the Cowboys cheerleaders really
stand out as the best anywhere. The outfits, the music and the routines are all well
presented. The 32 member konga line done to a rockettes medley to open the game was
outstanding!
Extra point... The karma of the Ultimate Sports Road Trip struck again, as a Cowboys team
that should have been running for the bus derailed the high flying 49ers by a 27-21 score
and it wasn't that close. This marks the 13th consecutive time that we walked out the
building with happy home team fans. And no... Terrell Owens did not get a chance to spike
the ball on the center logo!
Touchdown... to the Cowboys who operate a free shuttle ride from the outer reaches of the
parking lots to the pedestrian bridge. A good way to cut the walking distance by more than
half.
Extra point... Our search for hallowed grounds continued as we visited the Fair Park
neighborhood of Dallas to visit the first home of the Dallas Cowboys, the historic Cotton
Bowl. Of course, THE GAME was set for New Years Day between Arkansas and Oklahoma,
but our schedule did not permit us to make the game.
Summary
Not a gleaming, shiny venue with all the bells and whistles and creature comforts... not a
cool downtown setting... in fact anything but. Texas Stadium, however, is an institution, and
that is in a state where football is king. We expected a 70s style stadium with its dated look
and feel, but, despite a losing season, we were appreciative of the electricity and
excitement of these Cowboys fans who have a sense of their place in history and their
scheme of things in pro football (at least for those who got in by kickoff!). There is some
rumbling for a new stadium. We ask WHY? This stadium is still functional, still draws
respectable crowds, and the premium seat revenue can buy a whole field of oil wells. Not
the best, not the worst, but somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Scoring:
Architecture: 8
Food and team store 5
Scoreboard and electronics 4
Ushers 4
Fan support 5
Location and neighborhood 3
Banners and history 8
In game entertainment 9
Concourses/fan comfort 3
Bonus: Tailgate scene 1, Cowboys cheerleaders 2, Distinctive roof 1
Total: 54
| Texas Stadium |
#106
Texas
Stadium
Irving,
Texas
December
30,
2001
San
Francisco
49ers
at
Dallas
Cowboys
Texas
Stadium
Irving,
Texas
December
30,
2001
San
Francisco
49ers
at
Dallas
Cowboys
