Game Day at AT&T Stadium Runs on Three Clocks
A Cowboys home game starts long before kickoff, and AT&T Stadium opens in layers. Parking lots open about five hours early, the Miller Lite House three or four hours early, and the plazas, gates, clubs and suites at least two hours early. Work backward from kickoff and the whole day plans itself.
| 2026 home game | Kickoff (CT) | Lots open (about) | Miller Lite House | Gates and suites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals, Sun Nov 1 | 12:00 PM | 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 49ers, Sun Nov 15 | 3:25 PM | 10:25 AM | 11:25 AM | 1:25 PM |
| Titans, Sun Nov 22 | 12:00 PM | 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Eagles, Thu Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) | 3:30 PM | 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 1:30 PM |
| Jaguars, Sun Dec 27 | 7:20 PM | 2:20 PM | 3:20 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Giants, Sun Jan 3 | 12:00 PM | 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
The stadium says lots are "generally" open five hours ahead and that times can change by event, so check the listing for your game the week of.
The best seat at AT&T Stadium is the one you reach without circling Lot 10 twice.
Getting There Without Losing the First Quarter
Arlington is a drive from almost anywhere in Dallas, and everyone headed to the game is making it at the same time. Pick one of three plans.
- Drive and park. A parking pass covers one spot in one designated lot, and spots cannot be saved for friends arriving later. Every parking transaction at the stadium is cashless.
- Rideshare or taxi. Rideshare runs from Lot 15 this season. Taxis stage at the far west end of the Miller Lite House, off North Collins Street and Cowboys Way, for drop-off before and pickup after.
- A chauffeured group ride. One Sprinter van or party bus replaces a convoy, handles the drop-off and the pickup, and sits through the postgame traffic so nobody in your group has to drive it.
The Bag Rule That Turns People Around at the Gate
AT&T Stadium runs a clear bag policy, and the stadium's own advice is to bring no bag at all. If you must, these are the only bags that get in.
| Allowed bag | Size limit |
|---|---|
| Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag | 12 x 6 x 12 inches |
| Clear one-gallon freezer bag | Standard Ziploc or similar |
| Small clutch, one compartment, with or without a strap | 4.5 x 6.5 inches |
Anything else gets checked, for a fee, at bag storage in Silver Lot 5 or Blue Lot 9 for Cowboys games. Inside, everything from beer to a foam finger is cashless, and alcohol sales stop at the start of the fourth quarter.
Tailgating Rules at AT&T Stadium, by Lot and Grill
| Rule | What the stadium allows |
|---|---|
| When | From the time lots open until up to 2 hours after the game |
| Lots with tailgating | 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, first come, first served |
| No tailgating | Lot 3, parts of Lot 5, Lot 8 and Lot 9 |
| Where to set up | Designated tailgating spaces only, never the parking spaces themselves |
| Cooking | Charcoal or gas is fine; deep fryers, oil frying and open flames are not |
| Saving spaces | Not allowed |
| Music | No amplified sound systems or loud radios |
| RV parking | $150 |
Want the tailgate without hauling the grill? The ultimate tailgate rolls in with its own pizza oven and beer taps, and a corporate tailgate handles the client version.
Which Entry to Use, by Ticket Type
| Entry | Location | For |
|---|---|---|
| B, C and D | East side, by the East Plaza | Designated reserved tickets, all club and suite guests |
| E | Southeast corner | Club and suite guests only |
| F | Southwest corner | Club and suite guests only |
| G, H and J | West side, by the West Plaza | Designated reserved tickets, all club and suite guests |
| K | Northwest corner | Club and suite guests only |
Leaving and coming back? Re-entry is allowed at some events only, and only if your ticket is scanned out at a designated exit gate.
Make It a Suite Day Instead
A suite skips most of this page. Suite guests get their own entries, the room opens with the gates, and the food is waiting. See what one costs in How Much Is a Suite at AT&T Stadium, compare tiers on the Cowboys suites hub, or pick your date from the 2026 home schedule.
Then send us the game and the headcount. We line up the seats, the ride and the tailgate on one request, so game day starts with a kickoff, not a group text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I get to AT&T Stadium for a noon kickoff?
To tailgate, arrive when the lots open, about 7:00 AM. To skip the tailgate, aim for the gates opening at 10:00 AM, which leaves time for security and a walk around the concourse before the anthem.
Can I bring a backpack into AT&T Stadium?
No. Only clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a clear one-gallon freezer bag or a small clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches get in. Anything else goes to paid bag storage in Silver Lot 5 or Blue Lot 9.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at AT&T Stadium?
Rideshare uses Lot 15 this season. Taxis stage at the far west end of the Miller Lite House off North Collins Street and Cowboys Way.
Do I need a game ticket for the Miller Lite House?
Yes. The Miller Lite House opens 3 hours before noon games and 4 hours before 3:25 and night games, and a game ticket is required for entry.
About AT&T Stadium Game Day
- AT&T Stadium A to Z Guide, bags, entries, rideshare, re-entry and prohibited items
- AT&T Stadium Parking, lot opening times and tailgating rules
- Miller Lite House, opening times and entry
- Dallas Cowboys Schedule, official dates and kickoff times
AT&T Stadium in Arlington sets its own game-day policies and may change them by event. The stadium's guide is the final word the week of your game.
Sources: AT&T Stadium A to Z Guide, AT&T Stadium Parking, AT&T Stadium Miller Lite House, Dallas Cowboys Schedule
