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5 things soccer fans should know about AT&T Stadium, site of nine FIFA World Cup matches

Jerry Jones is enjoying a big victory, and no, it has nothing to do with winning the Super Bowl.

In 2026, the eyes of the world will be on AT&T Stadium, where nine World Cup matches will be played. It’s the most matches of any host site.

Here’s some things you should know about AT&T Stadium.

1. Grand opening

ORG XMIT: *S196076F9* Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks about his stadium for a large...
ORG XMIT: *S196076F9* Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks about his stadium for a large model of it during his announcement that Grammy Award winning country singer George Strait will headline the inaugural event at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at the Stadium Preview Center. Also joining Strait will be Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough on June 6. The event will officially open the stadium.(Tom Fox / Staff photographer)

AT&T Stadium had its ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 7, 2009. On June 6, country music star George Strait and Reba McEntire headlined the first event in the new stadium. The first sporting event was a Gold Cup soccer game in which Costa Rica beat Guadaloupe.

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2. First Cowboys game

On August 21, 2009, the Cowboys played the Tennessee Titans in their first preseason home game. It was the first football game played at the venue. The game was nationally televised; Dallas won 30–10. On September 9, the Cowboys played their first NFL regular-season game. The Cowboys lost 33-31 to the New York Giants before 105,121 fans.

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3. What’s in the name

The venue was originally called Cowboys Stadium until AT&T bought the naming rights in 2013. The sponsorship deal was reported to be worth about $17–19 million per year.

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4. Cost and design

ORG XMIT: *S196BBA22* The unfinished East end zone plaza can be seen through the world's...
ORG XMIT: *S196BBA22* The unfinished East end zone plaza can be seen through the world's largest retractable doors as workers finish construction on the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Thursday, April 30, 2009. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is seen at the top.(Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) 05072009xNEWS(TOM FOX / 140438)

The estimated construction cost of the stadium was $1.3 billion, making it one of the most expensive sports venues ever built. The home of the Dallas Cowboys was designed by the architect firm HKS. Structural engineering firm Walter P Moore designed the retractable roof.

5. Biggest crowd

The largest crowd at an event in AT&T Stadium corresponds to the 2010 NBA All-Star game. The announced attendance at the event was 108,713, as fans watched the East triumph over the West with a 141-139 victory.

Fast facts about AT&T Stadium

Location: Arlington, Texas

Opened: May 27, 2009

Cost to build: $1.3 billion

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Current capacity: 93,000

-AT&T Stadium boasts one of the world’s largest and very first center-hung HDTV video boards, measuring 160 feet by 72 feet at a cost of $40 million.

-The video board contains 30 million light bulbs and 25,000 square feet of video display and weighs 1.2 million pounds.

-The stadium is 3 million square feet.

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-The retractable roof has 128 total motors used to operate it.

-The facility was called Cowboys Stadium until 2013

Main sporting events at AT&T Stadium: Cotton Bowl, Super Bowl in 2011, college basketball finals (NCAA Final Four in 2014), WrestleMania in 2016 and 2022. Games of the Mexican National Soccer Team. Boxing matches, including Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez against Billy Joe Saunders, in May 2021. The fight attracted 73,126 spectators.

AT&T advantages: Its geographical location makes connectivity with any other World Cup host city accessible. The Texas Live! Entertainment District planned to expand around AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, and Choctaw Stadium, which will be unique among all the venues hosting the 2026 World Cup.

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