Texas Stadium

Texas Stadium
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Name	Texas Stadium
Location	Irving, Texas, United States
Opened	October 24, 1971
Closed	December 29, 2008
Demolished	March–April 2010
Owner	City of Irving (original), Cowboys Football Club, Inc.
Surface	AstroTurf (1971–1999), FieldTurf (1999–2008)
Capacity	65,101 (approx.)
Architect	George Dahl, et al.
Coordinates	32.8647°N 96.9679°W

Texas Stadium Texas Stadium was a landmark multi-purpose stadium in Irving, Texas, primarily known as the home of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League from 1971 through 2008. The venue hosted professional football, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders events, college football matchups, concerts by artists such as Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and U2 (band), and cultural events tied to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Its cantilevered roof with the iconic hole became an enduring image associated with the Cowboys' dynastic eras under coaches like Tom Landry and executives such as Tex Schramm.

History

Texas Stadium was conceived in the late 1960s amid expansion and relocation efforts involving the Dallas Cowboys and regional authorities in Texas. Financing and site selection involved negotiations with the City of Irving, Texas leadership and the Cowboys' ownership, led by Tex Schramm and later Jerry Jones. The stadium opened in 1971 with a dedication that coincided with an era of NFL growth, television deals with networks such as CBS Sports and NBC Sports Group, and landmark events like the Super Bowl era that reshaped professional football. Over ensuing decades the venue witnessed franchise milestones, league realignments, and the rise of marquee players including Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin.

Architecture and design

Designed by architects including George Dahl, the stadium featured a distinctive partially covered roof with a large central opening, intended to allow natural light and air while reducing structural columns. The cantilevered steel truss system reflected contemporary approaches also seen in venues such as Three Rivers Stadium and Riverfront Stadium. Seating bowl arrangements accommodated sightlines for both football and concerts, while back-of-house facilities supported locker rooms used by teams like the SMU Mustangs and visiting NFL franchises. The playing surface evolved from AstroTurf to FieldTurf as turf technology advanced, paralleling industry trends showcased at venues such as Giants Stadium and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Events and uses

As the primary home of the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium hosted regular-season and postseason NFL games, playoff contests including NFC Championship-era matchups involving opponents like the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, and preseason exhibitions. It also served as a neutral-site and home venue for college programs including the University of Texas Longhorns and the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, and staged high-profile bowl games and bowl-related events. The facility attracted touring productions by performers such as Elvis Presley, Madonna (entertainer), Bruce Springsteen, and The Rolling Stones, and hosted civic ceremonies tied to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Furthermore, it accommodated televised events produced by broadcasters like ABC (American TV network) and Fox Broadcasting Company.

Notable moments and records

The stadium was the site of franchise-defining performances by Roger Staubach, including playoff heroics that contributed to Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII era narratives. It saw record crowds for Cowboys games during the dynastic run of the 1970s and again in the 1990s under coach Barry Switzer and owner Jerry Jones. Legendary concert appearances included tours by Elvis Presley and landmark stops on U2 (band) tours, while televised NFL classics broadcast on CBS Sports and FOX Sports cemented many contest moments in national memory. Individual records set on the field involved players such as Emmitt Smith reaching milestone rushing totals and Troy Aikman achieving playoff passing marks within the venue.

Demolition and legacy

After the Cowboys relocated to Cowboys Stadium (later AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, the original stadium closed in 2008 and was demolished in 2010 amid redevelopment debates involving the City of Irving, Texas and private stakeholders. Demolition occurred following environmental assessments and salvage operations for steel and memorabilia, with artifacts later appearing in museums and exhibits related to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor and regional sports history. The site’s redevelopment proposals included mixed-use planning influenced by the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport region’s urban growth. The stadium's emblematic hole-in-the-roof design remains referenced in architectural studies and popular culture portrayals of the Dallas Cowboys era.

Category:Defunct sports venues in Texas Category:Sports venues demolished in 2010 Category:Dallas Cowboys stadiums