Texas Stadium, located in Irving, Texas, served as the home of the Dallas Cowboys from 1971 to 2008. Its distinctive hole-in-the-roof design became one of the most recognizable features in American sports, earning it the nickname “The Palace in the Prairie.” The stadium hosted three Super Bowl games (XVII, XXVII, XXX) and witnessed some of the most memorable moments in NFL history before its demolition in 2010.
Location and Contact Information
- Address: 2401 E Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062
- Status: Demolished (April 11, 2010)
- Opened: October 24, 1971
- Closed: December 20, 2008
- Capacity: 65,675
- Architect: KOMPASFA Architecture
Origins and Design
The Dallas Cowboys were in need of a new home by the late 1960s. The team had been sharing the Cotton Bowl with the Dallas Texans of the AFL since 1960, and owner Clint Murchison Jr. envisioned a modern, state-of-the-art facility that would reflect the Cowboys’ growing prominence in professional football. The Texas Stadium Authority was created to oversee construction, and the project moved forward with an ambitious $23 million budget.
The stadium’s designer, engineer Herb Beyer, originally planned for a fully retractable roof. However, budget constraints forced a compromise: the roof would cover the stands but leave the field partially exposed. The result was the famous partial roof that became Texas Stadium’s defining characteristic — a gap that let in natural light but also allowed rain and snow to reach the field during games.
NFL History and the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty
Texas Stadium was the backdrop for the Dallas Cowboys’ transformation into “America’s Team.” Under head coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys won Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII while calling Texas Stadium home. The franchise’s success continued under Jimmy Johnson, who led the team to consecutive Super Bowl victories in the 1992 and 1993 seasons.
The stadium hosted Thanksgiving Day games, which became a Dallas Cowboys tradition spanning decades. The annual holiday contests drew massive television audiences and became an integral part of the Thanksgiving experience for millions of American families.
Major Events
- Super Bowl XVII: Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins (January 30, 1983)
- Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills (January 31, 1993)
- Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (January 28, 1996)
- Pope John Paul II Mass: Largest gathering in stadium history (October 1993)
- Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Games: Annual tradition throughout the stadium’s existence
- World Class Wrestling Events: Hosted major wrestling cards throughout the 1980s and 1990s
Features and Facilities
- Capacity: 65,675 seats
- Playing Surface: FieldTurf (installed 2002, replacing natural grass)
- Video Board: Large-screen board installed in 2006
- Club Seating: Multiple club levels added during 1993 renovations
- Parking: Vast parking lots accommodating over 20,000 vehicles
The End of an Era
By the early 2000s, Texas Stadium was showing its age. Modern NFL venues offered luxury suites, premium fan experiences, and revenue-generating opportunities that the aging facility could not match. Jerry Jones, who purchased the Cowboys in 1989, aggressively pursued a replacement, securing public funding and private investment for what would become AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
The final game at Texas Stadium was a December 20, 2008 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Demolition was completed by controlled implosion on April 11, 2010, ending nearly four decades of sports history. The site has since been redeveloped for commercial use, though the memory of Texas Stadium lives on among Cowboys fans. Many fans who attended games at the old stadium sought custom AT&T Stadium memorabilia after the transition.
For information about the Cowboys’ current home, visit the AT&T Stadium official website.
CONTACT US
For more information or to visit us, here are our branch addresses:
- Branch 1: Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Branch 2: Sobrecary Street (In front of Velox Gas Station), Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Email: gracezelguerra22@gmail.com
- Phone: 09460480491
- Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PH Time)
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