Editor’s note: There is a big game on Monday Night Football between the Houston Texans (6-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) for home state bragging rights with the game being played at AT&T Stadium, aka “Jerry’s Place.” Melanie Staten’s article below about her recent trip back to the stadium gives a little more interest to potential viewers of this upcoming battle where, as Melanie notes, the cheapest tickets are $500.
The article:
The first time we toured the AT&T Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium, the only word we could think of was “big.” Also known as “Jerry’s Place,” unofficially named for Cowboy’s infamous owner Jerry Jones, it reinforces the phrase, “everything’s bigger in Texas.” When we returned this past summer, we were again struck by its enormity from the stands to the concession and fan walkways to Jerry’s private box, to the locker rooms to the jumbotron.
While this stadium doesn’t have the history, tradition, charm and character that Lambeau Field in Green Bay has, the other NFL stadium we toured, it is a state-of-the-art facility. And speaking of art, it’s loaded with art, and a separate tour during the week is an art gallery tour. Believe it or not, Jerry’s Place is also considered an art gallery.
Located in Arlington, Texas, just 18 miles from downtown Dallas and 15 miles from Fort Worth, the massive structure sits just a mile away from another massive sports complex, the new Texas Rangers stadium.
I am not a Cowboys fan. I lived in Northern Virginia for many years where it is solidly Commanders (formerly Redskins) country. I am a Commanders fan. People in other parts of the country don’t realize what a serious rivalry the Cowboys vs. Commanders is.
Walking into the Cowboy’s home stadium seemed like an act of treason when we took the tour, but that was soon forgotten when we walked through this incredible structure. You don’t have to like the team to like their stadium. My daughter, born and raised in Northern Virginia, had an even worse attitude than I had. As a rabid Commanders fan, she quickly changed her tune when she realized this was not an act of betrayal. It was just a tour of an incredible stadium.
We took a tour that allowed us to go on the field. It was worth it. Looking at the massive jumbotron that stretches 60 yards from the 20-yard line to the opposite 20-yard line, it’s hard to imagine that any NFL player could concentrate on football in this palace. Until recently, it was the largest jumbotron in any NFL stadium. Gillette Stadium in Boston has outdone Jerry’s Place, and they now have the largest jumbotron.
Jerry’s suite was – again – large. It fits many friends and family and has space for a private bar and buffet. There’s even a landline in the box. We asked the tour guide if that was so that Jerry could call the coach and offer advice, but he wouldn’t answer.
Private suites vary in size from 24 people to 52 people. For single games, the cheapest one starts at $30,000. Most prices are not listed. For more information on renting suites, instructions are to call the Cowboys ticket office. We learned on our tour that AT&T Stadium is the only one that has private suites on the field level. That may or may not be true. We toured a field level box. It shows an interesting perspective for watching a game.
In the off-season, more tour access is given to otherwise private areas, like Jerry’s box and the team and cheerleader’s locker rooms. We were fortunate to see both since it was summer and the Cowboys were practicing in Frisco, Texas.
The Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop is the size of a small Walmart. Two stories, it’s like everything else in the stadium – big.
One of the most unique features of AT&T Stadium is its collection of museum-quality contemporary art, which enhances the iconic architecture of the building. Art enthusiasts and sports fans alike can expect to be impressed by the works of the esteemed artists.
We also learned (though we already knew) that Jerry Jones dislikes the media. So, to show his affection, he had the press boxes built at the end of the field. Most stadiums’ press boxes are on the 50-yard line, but not at Jerry’s Place. It’s on the ten-yard line. Our tour guide was more than happy to share that fact.
Want to go to a Cowboys game? There are some tickets available for the rest of the season, but most are Standing Room Only – SRO – on the concourse above the two end zones. For the November 18 Houston game, the cheapest price for one ticket is $500.
When you take the tour, be ready to do a lot of walking.
Melanie Staten is a public relations consultant with her husband, Vince.