In a year in which the Cowboys paused season-ticket sales, the organization announced Thursday an extensive plan for fans attending games at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys are calling their plan Safe Stadium Policy, with the objective to abide by strict guidelines from state and local medical officials that would allow an undetermined number of fans to attend the eight regular season home games during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cash will not be accepted at AT&T Stadium, fans will utilize mobile-only ticketing methods and be seated in “pods” that encourage social distancing between groups of people who are not familiar with each other.
The NFL announced recently that fans will be required to wear a mask when attending NFL games this season. Cowboys officials are requiring fans to put masks on when they get out of their cars or leave transportation that drops them off on the stadium property.
AT&T Stadium’s retractable roof will be open, weather permitting, to allow air flow throughout the facility. Team officials announced fans will have “frictionless entry” to stadium parking lots and through stadium gates with the usage of 60 socially distanced metal detectors.
The Cowboys will continue to have tailgating at the stadium with groups being asked to maintain social distancing and to leave one car space between groups.
During a nearly hour-long conference call with reporters Wednesday, Jerry Jones said he wants fans at AT&T Stadium and cited the massive structure’s ability to handle social distancing. Jones said the personnel is in place to make sure the facility is clean to allow for a safe experience.
“It is important individually, but I think it’s important in the country,” Jones said. “I know the debate going on. I can easily see how X percent of the people would be for it’s just not worth the kinds of effort, risk, whatever that’s going to go on. I believe it is.”
The Cowboys are the lone team within the NFC East that has a policy for fans attending games. Washington and the New York Giants announced fans will not attend home games in 2020. City officials in Philadelphia also said the Eagles wouldn’t have fans, but later amended the requirement by saying the situation is fluid.
The New York Jets, who play in the same stadium as the Giants, and the Las Vegas Raiders, who have a new stadium, will also play home games without fans.
In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said professional and college teams in Texas can have their stadium capacities at 50%. Cowboys officials haven’t announced if they would do that or not.
“These are challenging and unprecedented times for our country, our community, and our Cowboys fans at home, in Texas and all around the world,” Charlotte Jones, the Cowboys Chief Brand Officer, said in a statement. “Amidst the difficulties brought on by COVID-19, our focus has been to safely bring football back to our community.”
Charlotte Jones, Cowboys Chief Brand Officer, said in part “There will be many changes this year, and we are deeply grateful for the understanding and support from our dedicated fans.”
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 13, 2020
See all of the Cowboys’ new stadium policies below.
- Limited Stadium Capacity. Capacity at AT&T Stadium will be limited to start the 2020 season, in accordance with guidelines from the CDC, the State of Texas, local public safety and public health authorities. Fans are required to practice social distancing inside and outside of AT&T Stadium, including parking lots, entry queues and seating. With 15 dedicated entries and exits, in addition to the 3 million square feet of club, concourse and corridor space, fans will have ample space to practice social distancing. Weather permitting, AT&T Stadium’s unique retractable roof and end zone door design gives the ability to maximize fresh air flow throughout the building, along with the capability of circulating 840,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of fresh air through its mechanical system.
- Mask Policy. Consistent with NFL and local Public Safety and Health policy, all fans will be required to wear a mask when transiting from their personal or public transportation to AT&T Stadium including while in stadium parking lots. In addition, all fans and stadium employees will be required to wear a mask at all times, except when they are actively eating or drinking or if under ten years of age.
- Seating. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups who are not known to one another. Fans are required to maintain pod integrity by only transferring tickets to family or friends within their trusted group. Each ticket holder should have their own mobile ticket on their device.
- Mobile-Only Ticketing. Beginning this season, all tickets at AT&T Stadium will be digital and available through fans’ mobile devices. Tickets purchased from the Dallas Cowboys will be available via the Dallas Cowboys or SeatGeek mobile app. In order to provide a contactless experience for fans, there will no longer be physical tickets.
- Cashless Experience. Beginning this season, all food, beverage, parking and retail will become a cashless experience. Major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile pay will be accepted throughout AT&T Stadium.
- Frictionless Entry. Fans will have frictionless entry to stadium parking lots and will go through a frictionless security scan using 60 socially distanced metal detectors to enter AT&T Stadium. We will take every step possible to ensure ingress and egress at each of AT&T Stadium’s 15 entries is smooth, swift, and safe.
- Tailgating. Designated spaces for tailgating will be available in select AT&T Stadium lots. To promote physical distancing, at least one space between vehicles is required in the tailgating spots and parties will not be permitted to commingle.
- Stadium Cleaning. AT&T Stadium will be following guidelines from the CDC and has consulted outside medical and infectious disease experts to put a thorough cleaning and disinfecting plan in place using single-use microfiber wipes, single-use microfiber mop heads and EPA registered products including electrostatic and fogging sprays. Procedures include cleaning and disinfecting prior to every event, as well as disinfecting high touchpoint areas regularly throughout events. Fans will have access to over 300 additional hand sanitization stations located throughout AT&T Stadium.
- Staffing Protocols. Our front-line stadium employees are working hard to prepare for this season, and we will be providing them with all possible assistance to help them safely do their jobs. This includes providing them with special training on CDC recommended guidelines, as well as the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to do their job, including masks and other specialized equipment. Vendors working at AT&T Stadium will be abiding by all stadium health and safety policies.
- Food and Beverage. Staff at concession stands, catering spaces, and all bars will be trained on CDC recommended guidelines, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), following enhanced handwashing procedures and maintaining cleaning and sanitization protocols of food and beverage contact surfaces. All food items will be served in to-go containers along with pre-packaged disposable ware and condiments.
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