AT&T Stadium: Capacity, Cost, Features & Temperature

You walk into AT&T Stadium and the first thing that hits you isn’t the roar of 80,000 fans—it’s the sheer scale. A video board that could swallow a suburban block, a roof that slides open like a giant’s eyelid, and enough steel to make a skyscraper jealous.

Capacity (normal): 80,000 · Maximum capacity: 105,000 · Year opened: 2009 · Construction cost: $1.3 billion

Five key specs tell the story of a stadium that pushes boundaries in every dimension.

Is AT&T stadium the biggest?

With 80,000 seats that can expand to 105,000 using standing room and adjustable rail-mounted chairs, AT&T Stadium claims the title of largest NFL stadium by seating capacity (Wikipedia). But globally, it’s not the biggest. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea holds 150,000.

How does AT&T stadium’s capacity rank among NFL stadiums?

• AT&T Stadium: 80,000 (expandable 105,000) – largest in the NFL
• MetLife Stadium: 82,500 (no expansion)
• SoFi Stadium: 70,240 (expandable 100,240 for events)

Did Jerry Jones pay for AT&T stadium?

No single check covered the $1.15 billion original cost. It was a three-way split: Arlington taxpayers approved $325 million in bonds via sales, hotel, and rental car taxes in November 2004 (Stadiums of Pro Football), the NFL chipped in $150 million, and the Cowboys—led by Jerry Jones—covered the remainder, roughly $350 million of his own money plus additional cost overruns estimated at $200 million.

Jerry Jones’s personal stake

Jones reportedly committed more than $350 million of his personal fortune to the stadium, including covering all cost overruns. His net worth as of 2025 is estimated at ~$16 billion (Forbes), making him the second-richest NFL owner. While the exact split between personal loans and equity isn’t public, the risk was personal: if the stadium failed, the debt fell on him.

Public-private financing from Arlington

The city’s $325 million came from voter-approved venue taxes that were originally set to run decades, but Arlington paid off stadium debt 10 years early in 2016. In 2025, the city council approved up to $273 million for upgrades, with the Cowboys committing at least $750 million, extending the lease through 2055 (CBS News Texas). Residents have threatened lawsuits, arguing the 2004 referendum language required the Cowboys to assume maintenance costs (CBS News Texas).

What is special about AT&T stadium?

Three features separate AT&T Stadium from every other venue: its size, its screen, and its roof. The building encompasses 3 million square feet with a column-free interior that was the largest in the world when it opened. The retractable roof was the largest ever built at the time, and the field sits 50 feet below street level (Stadiums of Pro Football).

World’s largest column-free design

The absence of interior supports means unobstructed views from nearly every seat. The structure uses massive steel arches to span the field without pillars, a feat of engineering that allows the video board to hang 90 feet above the field.

World’s largest 160×72 HD video board

The center-hung video board was the largest in the world when installed—160 feet wide and 72 feet tall. It’s so large that it reportedly cost more than the entire roof mechanism. Stadiums of Pro Football notes that the board alone uses more than 30 million LEDs.

Retractable roof

The roof opens in about 12 minutes and lets natural light flood the field. It’s designed so that even when closed, the translucent panels keep the interior feeling open. According to a Dallas Cowboys documentary (YouTube), the roof mechanism was a key design challenge that pushed the budget higher.

What is the temperature inside AT&T stadium?

On a 100°F Texas summer day, the inside of AT&T Stadium stays at a steady 72–75°F thanks to 4,000 tons of air conditioning capacity. Winter games can be heated as needed. The retractable roof can be opened on mild days to let in fresh air, but when it’s closed, the climate control system keeps conditions consistent regardless of the weather outside.

Actual temperature during events

During Cowboys games, the stadium management targets 72°F on the field and slightly warmer in the stands. The system is designed to handle the heat generated by 80,000 people and the lighting. Stadiums of Pro Football confirms the thermal load management as a key spec for event planners.

Air conditioning system

The 4,000-ton chiller plant is one of the largest in any sports venue. It’s so powerful that it can cool the entire 3-million-square-foot building from a hot start in under an hour. The system was designed by HKS and the engineering firm ME Engineers.

The pattern: For event attendees, the consistent climate makes AT&T a reliable venue for indoor events even in extreme Texas heat, one reason it hosts events like the Big 12 Championship and concerts year-round.

Who owns 100% of the Cowboys?

Jerry Jones owns 100% of the Dallas Cowboys, having purchased the team in 1989 for $140 million. The franchise is now valued at over $10 billion, making it the most valuable sports team in the world (Forbes). Jones retains full ownership, unlike some other NFL teams with multiple investors.

Who is the richest NFL owner?

As of 2025, David Tepper (Carolina Panthers) tops the list with an estimated net worth of $20.6 billion, followed by Jerry Jones at $16 billion and Stan Kroenke (Los Angeles Rams) at $15 billion (Forbes). Jones’s wealth is tied almost entirely to his ownership of the Cowboys, oil and gas ventures, and real estate.

Is Jerry Jones a billionaire?

Yes. Jones’s net worth is estimated at $16 billion by Forbes (2025), making him one of the wealthiest sports owners globally. He also owns the AT&T Stadium naming rights deal with AT&T, which is reported to be worth $17–19 million per year through 2030.

Quotes from the people behind the stadium

“I didn’t want a stadium that was good for marketing. I wanted a stadium that was great.”

— Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner, on building AT&T Stadium

“We are thrilled to have reached this financial milestone ahead of schedule. The stadium debt payoff saves millions in interest.”

— Mayor Jim Ross, City of Arlington, on early debt payoff

“This is the third time Arlington has used voter-approved venue taxes for a sports team stadium. The precedent is now established.”

— City Council member, FOX 4 News coverage

For Arlington residents, the stadium gamble paid off in economic impact but comes with recurring costs. The city’s half-cent sales tax, originally meant for a single stadium, now funds ongoing upgrades. For visitors, AT&T Stadium delivers on its promise: a climate-controlled, column-free marvel that packs more people, more screens, and more luxury suites than any other NFL venue. The decision for the city is simple: keep betting on the Cowboys’ ability to draw crowds, or risk losing the team to a richer suburb. For the Dallas Cowboys fan in Texas, the choice is clear: plan for a 72°F gameday, bring your wallet for the $273 million upgrades, and thank Jerry Jones’s personal checkbook for the video board.