Dallas Cowboys Seek 1B AT&T Stadium Overhaul

The Dallas Cowboys are eyeing a billion-dollar remake of AT&T Stadium, and they want Arlington taxpayers to help foot part of the bill.

The NFL franchise, owned by Jerry Jones, is proposing more than $1 billion in upgrades to its home venue, as part of a lease extension that would keep the team in Arlington through at least 2055. The Dallas Business Journal reported that Arlington City Council is set to vote Tuesday on the deal, which would mark the first step in a long-range redevelopment plan for the nearly two-decade-old stadium.

Under the proposal, the Cowboys would cover $750 million of the renovation costs, while Arlington would contribute $273 million over 20 years through existing venue tax revenues. The improvements would roll out in phases through 2043, with team officials saying the work would ultimately “touch every area of the stadium.”

The scope of the upgrades remains largely under wraps, but city documents point to a mix of infrastructure and operational improvements, including enhanced security systems, traffic flow upgrades and pedestrian safety measures. Some investments are tied to evolving federal standards under the Safety Act, signaling a focus on large event security in an era of heightened scrutiny.

The public contribution is already drawing attention, particularly given Arlington’s role in financing the stadium’s original construction, the outlet reported. Voters approved a $325 million bond package in 2004, though the city paid off that debt a decade early in 2025, saving more than $150 million in interest.

Mayor Jim Ross has defended the new incentives, framing the Cowboys as an economic engine. The team generates an estimated $324 million annually for Arlington, according to city figures — a total that could exceed $9 billion over the life of the proposed extension.

Unlike the original deal, the new funding would not rely on fresh taxes or the city’s general fund. Instead, Arlington plans to tap excess revenue from existing venue taxes, a structure officials say stays within the bounds of the original voter-approved framework, according to the publication.

Still, the deal raises familiar questions about public subsidies for privately controlled buildings — especially one tied to the most valuable sports franchise in the world. Forbes recently valued the Cowboys at $13 billion, with Jones’ personal fortune topping $20 billion.

AT&T Stadium, which opened in 2009 at a cost of roughly $1.3 billion, remains one of the region’s premier event venues, hosting everything from Super Bowl XLV to major concerts and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

— Eric Weilbacher