The Arlington City Council approved a master agreement with the Dallas Cowboys to extend the team’s lease at AT&T Stadium through 2055, ensuring the continued success of one of the City’s most significant economic drivers.

The Cowboys lease of the City-owned stadium, which opened in 2009, was set to expire in 2040 with an option to renew in the future. The agreement extends the team’s lease by an additional 15 years, providing long-term certainty for both the City and the team. The agreement will also bring investment in improvements to the stadium complex and surrounding public infrastructure, ensuring the stadium remains competitive, secure, and capable of hosting world-class events for decades to come.

AT&T Stadium’s economic impact is already substantial—and projected to grow. A newly released independent analysis by HR&A Advisors found that the Cowboys’ use and operation of the stadium currently generates about $324 million in annual economic impact in Arlington. From 2026 through 2055, the extended lease term, stadium operations, event-related visitor spending and other associated effects will generate an estimated $9.7 billion for the Arlington economy, the study finds.

Since opening in 2009, AT&T Stadium has served as one of the anchors of Arlington’s Entertainment District and hosted some of the world’s most recognisable events, including the NCAA Final Four, the NFL Draft, the Cotton Bowl Classic, WWE WrestleMania, and major concerts like Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Bad Bunny. The stadium will continue that legacy as it prepares to host nine matches during the FIFA World Cup this summer, further elevating Arlington’s global profile and reinforcing the venue’s role as a premier destination for sports and entertainment.

What are details of the investment?

Under the agreement, the Cowboys will invest a minimum of $750 million in the ongoing maintenance, operation, and improvement of the stadium complex through the end of the extended lease term. The City will contribute up to $273 million (net present value) over a 20-year period through a maintenance and operations account. The City’s contribution would be funded by revenue generated through voter-approved venue taxes already in place, not the City’s General Fund or new taxes. The Cowboys will front the costs for improvements that are eligible for reimbursement by the City over time.

The investment will fund improvements that enhance security, including upgrades to maintain high security measures to meet enhanced SAFETY Act certification standards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and will improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and overall event operations that benefit the City and the local economy.

The Cowboys will continue to operate and maintain the stadium complex and will lead the design and construction of all improvements, fronting the costs to ensure completion by 2043.

The agreement also:

• Extends the $2 million annual lease agreement and $500,000 annual naming rights payment to the City through 2055. This revenue goes into the City’s Convention and Event Services Fund, which supports the Arlington Convention Center and other tourism initiatives.
• Extends the Cowboys’ commitment to charitable contributions of $500,000 a year for initiatives that support local youth through 2055.