Parking lot parties

Dallas Cowboys fans sacked with 3rd highest tailgate costs in U.S.

There's nothing like a Cowboys tailgate party.

Facebook/AT&T Stadium

NFL football is back in action, and there's no better way to celebrate the return of your favorite team than with a classic tailgate. Dedicated Dallas Cowboys fans may need to increase their budgets for any upcoming tailgates at AT&T Stadium this year, as a new report has revealed the Arlington stadium is the NFL's No. 3 most expensive tailgating destination in America.

Online sports betting experts Oddspedia ranked 30 stadiums nationwide based on their parking costs, food and drink prices, and overall average tailgate costs. (As a note, tailgate costs for NFL teams that share a stadium were the same.)

The estimated cost of tailgating for four Cowboys fans at AT&T Stadium comes out to $242.15, which is the third highest tally out of all 30 stadiums on the list. Fans of the Cowboys - America's most valuable team - are spending about 18 percent more on their ultimate tailgate experience than the national average, which is $205.17.

In the national comparison of just food and drink costs, Cowboys fans tied with Houston Texans fans for the sixth-highest grocery costs. To feed four hungry tailgaters on either team, the average grocery trip cost comes out to $154.15, which covers ingredients for "cheeseburgers, hotdogs, Italian subs, chicken wings, pretzels[,] chips and dips," among other culinary necessities.

But a good chunk of that overall cost can also get eaten up by puling into a top parking spot at AT&T Stadium, the report found. Fans may want to consider their options ahead of the Cowboys' home opener on September 15. (Official rules for tailgating at AT&T Stadium can be found here.)

"Parking in an official lot can cost up to $88, which drives up the price for your gameday," the report said. "However… a visit to Reddit would suggest there are more economical options in ‘non-Jerry’ parking lots not far away."

For added context, the average cost for parking across all 30 stadiums was $57.38.

One cheaper option for Cowboys fans would be to attend Rally Day experiences on days prior to select home games, at the outdoor Miller Lite House on the West Plaza at AT&T Stadium. The family-friendly events include stadium tours, interactive games, photos and autographs from Dallas Cowboys Alumni Players, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, as well as Rowdy the mascot. Rally Days will be hosted from 10 am to 6 pm on: September 14, September 21, October 12, November 9, and November 17.

Rally Day tickets are sold in advance and at the gate. Self-guided tour tickets are $25 per person; VIP tour tickets are $45 per person. For more information, go here.

The top 10 NFL teams with the most expensive tailgating experiences are:

No. 1 – San Francisco 49ers, Levi's Stadium ($292.33)
No. 2 – Los Angeles Rams/Chargers, SoFi Stadium ($257.75)
No. 3 – Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium ($242.15)
No. 4 – Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field ($238.32)
No. 5 – Washington Commanders, Commanders Field ($224.10)
No. 6 – Cincinnati Bengals, Paycor Stadium ($217.16)
No. 7 – Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium ($216.14)
No. 8 – New York Giants/Jets, MetLife Stadium (211.20)
No. 9 – Denver Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High ($210.77)
No. 10 – New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium ($210.64)

Fans of the Arizona Cardinals can rejoice at having the most inexpensive tailgating experiences. Tailgate costs at State Farm Stadium only add up to $158.07 for four fans, the lowest on the list.

The study analyzed costs of a tailgate experience for a group of four people, including cost of parking in the tailgate zone for the first games of the season, and a list of "essential party foods and drinks" (a.k.a. local groceries) to kick off the festivities.

The full report and its methodology can be found on oddspedia.com.

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FIFA in on the big screen

Dallas' Klyde Warren Park turns into free World Cup watch party hub

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Klyde Warren Park will host free watch parties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Dallas' Klyde Warren Park is set to become one big watch party for 2026 FIFA World Cup. The park will host free public viewing events for nearly the entire tournament, showing dozens of matches on a giant outdoor LED screen in the heart of downtown Dallas.

According to a release, the park's "Global Watch Parties" will run from June 11-July 19, turning the 5.4-acre green space into a gathering spot for both devoted soccer fans and those who just want to experience the excitement of the tournament with others.

The watch parties will be free to attend and are expected to draw thousands of local residents and international visitors. Matches will be broadcast live from FOX and Telemundo in both English and Spanish. The park's viewing schedule can be found here.

Games will be shown every day of the tournament except Saturday, July 4 and designated tournament "rest" days on July 8, 12, 13, 16, and 17. Programming could begin as early as 6 am and continue until 10 pm, according to the release.

In addition to the matches themselves, visitors can expect food trucks, dining options, live music, fitness classes, family activities, public art installations, and appearances by local soccer organizations and community partners.

On weekends, Olive Street between the east and west sides of the park will be converted into a pedestrian plaza to improve access and accommodate larger crowds, organizers say.

“Klyde Warren Park has always been Dallas’ town square — a place where people from every neighborhood, background and culture come together to celebrate the moments that define our city,” says Kit Sawers, president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, in the release. “The FIFA World Cup will bring the world to North Texas, and we’re proud to provide a free, welcoming space where fans and families can experience the excitement together in the heart of Dallas.”

Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch games from the lawn, while surrounding restaurants and food vendors will help create a festival atmosphere throughout the tournament.

The schedule overlaps with Klyde Warren Park's annual Independence Day celebration (including the fireworks) on July 4, adding another major event to a busy summer in Dallas.

“These watch parties extend the World Cup experience far beyond the stadium,” Sawers says. “Whether you have match tickets or not, this gives everyone an opportunity to be part of the energy, pride and global connection that comes with hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”

Nine FIFA World Cup matches (more than in any other host city) will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, dubbed "Dallas Stadium," for the tournament. They will start with Netherlands vs. Japan on June 14, followed by England vs. Croatia on June 17, Argentina vs. Austria on June 22, Japan vs. Sweden on June 25, and Jordan vs. Argentina on June 27.

The stadium will also host two Round of 32 matches (June 30 and July 3), one Round of 16 match (July 6), and one Semi-Final match (July 14).

Early estimates said Dallas-Fort Worth could welcome nearly 4 million visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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