On April 21, 2026, the Arlington City Council approved a $273 million agreement with the Dallas Cowboys to extend the team’s lease at AT&T Stadium until 2055. That sounds like an incredibly long ways off, and it is, but the original lease was set to expire in 2040. Upon announcing the news, the City of Arlington provided plenty of documents for resident perusal, as they surely anticipated many questions and concerns. There’s only so many of those documents you can read until your eyelids start to feel heavy.

The giant dollar sign public art sculpture likely coming soon to AT&T Stadium

However, even though the City Council approved the deal, Arlington can negotiate the fine print details with the Cowboys before it’s finalized in 2028. If the deal is finalized, which it likely will be, Arlington would spend the $273 million over a 20-year period into maintenance and operations.

Not everyone in Arlington was excited about the deal or the outcome, with many on social media expressing their frustration and even exasperation. Many thought that voters should have had a voice, while others say that the city couldn’t and shouldn’t justify the expense.

Others, however, especially business owners, depend on the trickle-down effect from the team, stadium, and its numerous events, saying that they provide a vital income stream. The decision was also made in the throes of election season, which could have an impact.

Cowboys Stadium, later renamed AT&T Stadium, opened in 2009 at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion. Arlington paid $325 million for the stadium’s construction, with the Cowboys financing the rest. Arlington owns the stadium, while the Cowboys take care of maintenance and upkeep. In announcing the potential lease extension, the City of Arlington noted that an independent study said the stadium generates about $324 million annually to the city, with the estimated impact from 2026 to 2055 resulting in nearly $10 billion. That’s a tremendous amount of money, but where does it all go?

AT&T Stadium continues to host high-profile events, with it preparing to host nine soccer matches during the FIFA World Cup this summer.

“Sportstainment” remains the name of the game in Arlington, with the Entertainment District continuing to grow and be a topic of discussion. Though often seen as a playground for the wealthy, especially by the residents, the Entertainment District draws millions (of people and from purses) annually to Arlington.

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 04-24-26