From Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts to seated close to the star at AT&T Stadium, here’s what it feels like to experience a Dallas Cowboys home game up close
I had field-level seats for my very first Dallas Cowboys game: a divisional showdown between the Cowboys and their long-time rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. The stakes were high, the jerseys were split almost evenly green and blue, and by the end of the afternoon, the Cowboys had clawed back from a 21–0 deficit to win 24–21 on a last-second field goal.
As a Canadian visitor and guest of Travel Texas, I wasn’t just watching a football game. I was stepping into a slice of Texan culture, complete with cowboy hats, sequins, and the famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders I’d just watched on Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts.
Walking into “Jerry World”
AT&T Stadium sits in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, and it really does feel like its own small city on game day. Nicknamed “Jerry World” after team owner Jerry Jones, the venue can seat around 80,000 fans, with space for more than 100,000 when standing-room sections are open.
Outside, a river of jerseys flows towards the gates: Cowboys stars, Eagles greens, parents with kids in miniature gear, and visitors like me soaking in the pre-game buzz. The atmosphere is electric but mostly good-natured. Rival fans trade playful jabs in line, and you quickly learn one of the unwritten rules of NFL culture: cheer loudly for your own team, but do it with respect.
Inside, the building’s engineering is part of the show. The retractable roof arches over the field, and the stadium’s centrepiece, a massive centre-hung video board, makes sure even the upper deck can see every detail of the play. From field level, it feels like the screen is hanging directly over your head – a constant reminder that this is both sport and spectacle.
Field-Level Seats: Where the Game Feels Personal
Watching from the lower bowl is exciting. Watching from field level is something else entirely.
Down here, the game is surprisingly intimate. You can hear the quarterback’s cadence, the smack of pads, and the sideline chatter. NFL photographers kneel only a few feet away, tracking every snap. Security staff and camera operators move around in front of you as part of the invisible ecosystem that keeps an event of this scale running smoothly.
From my spot near the Cowboy’s end zone, I could see the Cowboys defensive line reset between plays, shoulders heaving, eyes scanning for signals. Timeouts became mini-theatre: coaches huddled in tight circles, specialists practised kicks into empty air, and mascots and hype teams kept the energy up for fans who never seemed to sit down for long. I caught a couple of touchdowns – you’ll have to go to my Instagram story highlights to see that!
For someone who usually writes about vineyards, cities, and quiet corners of nature, this was a reminder that “place” is also about shared rituals. In Texas, Sunday football is one of them.
America’s Sweethearts, Up Close
Like many visitors this season, I arrived with America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders fresh in my mind. The Netflix docuseries follows the dancers from open auditions through gruelling training camp and into the season, highlighting both the glamour and the pressure of earning a spot on one of the most recognisable teams in sport.
Seeing the DCC in person was striking. From the stands or on television, they are part of the pageantry. From field level, you appreciate just how athletic the work is: high kicks on repeat, quick formation changes, and huge, precise smiles that never seem to falter.
Dallas Cowboys Flag Team
Sharing the sideline with them is the Dallas Cowboys Flag Team, now kitted out in Wrangler denim as part of the Cowboys’ official jeans partnership. In their white shirts, cowboy hats, and star-branded flags, they hoop and holler their way across the end zone, sprinting with oversized flags that ripple behind them. In the moments before kickoff or after a big play, they’re the spark plug—whipping the crowd into a roar that you can feel right through the turf.
A Rivalry Game with a Storybook Ending
On this particular Sunday, the story on the scoreboard was almost unbelievable. The Eagles, defending Super Bowl champions, jumped out to a 21–0 lead. Cowboys fans around me looked stunned, but not defeated; the NFL season is long, and if you follow Dallas, you learn to ride the emotional roller-coaster.
Then everything shifted.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott began chipping away at the deficit, throwing two touchdown passes, running for another, and ultimately leading a final drive that set up Brandon Aubrey for a 42-yard field goal as time expired. The stadium noise when the kick sailed through was physical – a wave you could feel in your chest.
From field level, celebration looks very different than it does on TV. Players hugged exhaustedly, staff exchanged quick handshakes before getting back to work, and fans along the rail screamed themselves hoarse. A few moments later, the huge screen above us flashed a simple, satisfying message: “Cowboys Win!”
Mindful Football Travel: Being a Good Guest in Texas
As thrilling as the game was, I kept returning to one of my own guiding principles: travel like you belong. That means showing up curious, respectful, and mindful of your impact – even at a high-energy sporting event.
A few small choices helped me feel like a better guest:
- Choose shared transport when you can. Traffic around AT&T Stadium is intense on game days. Car-pooling, using rideshare pick-up zones, or joining a group transfer reduces congestion and cuts down on individual emissions.
- Respect rival fans. Friendly rivalry is part of the fun, but dehumanising people in other jerseys is not. I saw families in opposing colours stand shoulder-to-shoulder cheering great plays from both sides; that’s the kind of energy I want to add to.
- Be thoughtful with food and drink. It’s easy to over-order in the excitement of the moment. I tried to choose what I knew I’d finish and filled my reusable water bottle at fountains to minimise waste.
- Look after stadium staff. A quick “thank you” to security, ushers, and hospitality staff goes a long way. They are the reason tens of thousands of people can gather safely under one roof.
These are small gestures, but collectively they shape the emotional footprint we leave behind in the places that welcome us.
Practical Tips for Visiting AT&T Stadium
1. Book early for big rivalry games
High-profile matchups like Cowboys vs Eagles sell out quickly and drive prices up across Arlington and nearby cities. If you’re planning a trip around a specific game, secure tickets and accommodation well in advance.
2. Consider your seat choice carefully
- Field-level or club seats offer an immersive experience with easy access to food and restrooms, but you may lose some sense of the overall play as action moves to the far side of the field.
- Lower and upper bowl seats provide a better tactical view of formations and routes, especially with help from the giant video board.
3. Arrive early to explore
Security screening and crowds can take time, so plan to arrive well before kickoff. Once inside, walk the concourses, check out the art installations and displays, and give yourself time to find your section without rushing.
4. Bring ear protection (especially for kids)
Crowd noise inside a closed-roof stadium can be intense. Light earplugs or protective headphones can make the experience more comfortable, particularly for younger visitors or anyone sensitive to sound.
5. Dress for comfort, with a nod to team spirit
Game-day outfits range from cowboy boots and hats to jerseys and jeans. Comfortable shoes are essential – you will stand and walk more than you think – and layers help with changing temperatures between the concourse, seats, and outdoors.
6. Check the stadium’s clear bag policy
AT&T Stadium enforces the NFL’s clear bag rules for security. Review the latest guidelines on the official website before you go so you are not turned back at the gate.
7. Make time for a stadium tour
If your schedule allows, consider returning on a non-game day for a guided tour. AT&T Stadium offers behind-the-scenes access to places you rarely see in the rush of a live event, from locker rooms to the field itself.
The Takeaway
My first Cowboys game was about more than a dramatic 24–21 comeback. It was a reminder that sport can be both spectacle and community, especially when you approach it as a curious guest rather than a detached observer.
Standing at field level, with rival jerseys pressed shoulder-to-shoulder around me and the DCC dancing only metres away, I felt what so many fans try to describe: for a few hours, tens of thousands of strangers share the same heartbeat.
If you find yourself in North Texas during football season, consider adding a Cowboys home game to your itinerary. Come ready to cheer, listen, learn, and leave the stadium – and the people who call it home – a little better than you found them.
Read More About the Cowboys:
As you embark on your travels, remember that our journey leaves an impact. Embrace eco-friendly accommodations, support local communities, and reduce plastic use. Respect wildlife by observing from afar and conserve resources like water and energy. Choose sustainable transportation, leave no trace behind, and participate in conservation efforts. Educate yourself and others about the environment you’re exploring. Let’s ensure that we tread lightly on our planet, leaving only footprints of kindness and taking home memories that inspire others to protect our beautiful world. Happy responsible travels!