Even if you are not a Dallas Cowboys fan or live in the Dallas area, hang with me on this one as it is a magical story. I got to experience
A Winning Beginning Where The Stadium Is The Star.
As luck would fall in my lap, the planets and stars lined up Friday night and I found myself at the first football game, a home exhibition game with the Tennessee Titans at the new 21st century designed building, the Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, TX. 50 yard line plush seats, Ring of Honor level, stocked fridge. I must be living right or just know the right people. I had toured the construction of this facility but seeing it finished and in action was something else.
Everyone around the country will be hearing a lot about this new venue over the next several years. This is the Cowboys third home following the Cotton Bowl in the 1960's and Texas Stadium in Irving through 2008. The Cowboys franchise is the second richest in the world behind Manchester United soccer club in the UK. This stadium took 40 months to build at a cost of $1.15 billion dollars. It is an experience to say the least. There is not a bad seat in the house. The retractable clear roof will open on days of 50 to 85 degrees and my favorite, the glass windows on each end zone also can open up. The Statue of Liberty could fit in the building from the field up to the roof. The cheapest tickets are $59 and go up to $340. Since that was announced a standing only party zone pass has been issued at $29 behind the end zone seats. Even there you have a great view. The GIANT LED video board is 60 yards wide by 71 feet in height and in high def, the largest of its kind in the world. It is ABSOLUTELY bright and breathtaking. The only improvement I saw still needed to be worked out in the building were the speakers and the PA system with the sound echoing all over the building. It will be worked out. It is the most futuristic stadium in the world and has artistic style and does not feel gaudy amazingly. My description of it is open, friendly, and comfy. Just what you would expect from a bunch of Texans.
Climate controlled when the roof is closed, I just can't imagine the air conditioning or heating bill. Jerry Jones, the owner, can worry about that one. Sony flat screens are visible as menu boards in the concession areas and TVs are just everywhere. The eerie effect of this new stadium is you over half the time find yourself watching the giant LED screen over looking at the players on the field. It is kind of the best of both worlds. Never seen anything like this in ANY stadium in the world.
Overall, it's 3 million square feet, the 300 suites range in price from $100,000 to $500,000. There are three types of artificial playing surfaces, one for NFL games, one for college and high school, and one for soccer. Seating is 80,000 with expansion to 100,000. Future events include the 2011 Super Bowl, NBA All Star game, Final Four, concerts, etc., The quarter mile arches that go from end zone to end zone not only hold up the roof but provide fewer obstructed views. Great landscaping outside with trees and a reflecting pool complement the glitz of this slanted glass exterior monument.
While the score at the end of the evening read Cowboys 30 Titans 10, most were still in awe of of the setting. In Texas, they say everything is bigger. The building is getting more attention than the team, and deservedly so. When in the Dallas Ft. Worth area for family, friends, business, house hunting, or vacation, this is one place to put on your list to check out. Also, some things never change. The Cowboys Cheerleaders STILL look great. Only now in HDTV!!
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