AT&T Stadium Event Guide – Cowboys Game Day

This stadium uses more electricity on Sundays than a small country and you’ll feel it when you’re there on game day to see the Cowboys.

My most recent NFL venture this season took me to the one and only Cowboys Stadi.… scratch that, AT&T Stadium. There was no surprise to hear that Jerry sold out the naming rights, it was bound to happen eventually, but I was surprised at just how extravagant AT&T Stadium was. I had heard countless descriptions of how jaw-dropping and amazing this stadium was but never gave them much attention until I experienced a Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium first hand. It really is one of the most monumental stadiums I have ever been in.

For starters, the stadium looks like it should be called the AT&T Spaceship as I was anxiously awaiting its departure the entire time I was there. But besides looking like a futuristic aircraft out of Star Wars, AT&T Stadium definitely puts the “luxury” in NFL. Upon entering the stadium, after making your way through a pre-game outdoor courtyard complete with stand up tables, walk-up bars, and a very large screen showing both teams warming up, the colossal size of AT&T Stadium begins to set in. I can’t even begin to describe how tiny I felt walking into the stadium because I have never been inside something that massive.

My view from Section 413, Row 29

After taking in the scenery of AT&T Stadium’s extravagant entrance the hike began. Fore Warning: if you are sitting in the upper concourse wear easy walking shoes. I was headed to section 413 row 29, which I learned after getting to my seat is the second to last row from the top of the stadium. In the midst of catching my breath and wiping the sweat from my face I was greeted with one of the most amazing video screens I have ever seen. If you haven’t seen 23,040 square feet of video board than the only thing I can tell you is to go see it because it’s awesome. Back to my seats though, which were surprisingly great. Before I start ranting about how much I enjoyed my seats, let’s get the obvious out of the way. Yes they were in the “nose-bleed” section and yes almost every seat in the stadium was closer to the field, but they were far from bad seats. Having played football the better part of half of my life, I enjoy having a wide view of the game and for even the slightest football savvy fan this view allows you to actually witness the plays develop. When I saw the Texans play at Reliant Stadium earlier this season, the seats were great but every snap was somewhat of a blur because you couldn’t see anything develop. The playing speed actually appears to slow down the further away you get and at the top of the stadium I was able to see blocking schemes, routes open up and holes for the running back to maneuver through. Despite my wife not having a clue as to what I was saying, I thoroughly enjoyed the “nose-bleed” section and have recommended it to tons of people. Besides it’s hard to miss anything when the video screen in front of you spans the 20 yard lines, and it’s not like watching the game from home.

There is one pet peeve that is capable of detouring people from live events, including myself, and that’s the horrific traffic that precedes the game. While I can’t speak for Dallas as a whole (because the traffic is horrible) leaving the Cowboy’s game was pretty painless. What’s even more amazing is if you’re the type who would rather not risk getting caught in the traffic there is no need to leave at the beginning of the 4^th quarter (like many Cowboy’s fans were doing even though we were beating the Rams) to avoid it. As the saying goes, “There is no party like the after party,” and it  holds true at AT&T Stadium. Instead of submerging into the stampede headed towards the parking lot, hit up the Cowboys after party in the stadium and enjoy a live band, TVs displaying the remaining games, and more beverages. Pretty solid idea if you ask me.

So to recap, if you haven’t been to AT&T Stadium to catch a game you need to. Whether it’s a Dallas Cowboys game, college football game, or college basketball game you’re in for a treat, I can promise you that. The Cowboys have yet to host Minnesota, Oakland, Green Bay and Philadelphia on their 2013 schedule and the Big 12 showdown between Texas Tech and Baylor is headed to AT&T Stadium on November 16. With the AT&T Cotton Bowl and the Final Four making their way in the AT&T Stadium in 2014 there is plenty of time to get tickets to some of the biggest college sporting events in the country.