About the Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl sits inside Fair Park in Dallas — a 92,100-seat stadium built in 1930 that is the oldest surviving stadium in Texas, the home of the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma, and a venue whose history stretches from the Great Depression through the 1994 World Cup to the present day. It is one of the 10 largest stadiums in America, and it has no permanent tenant — a monument sustained by the power of a single annual rivalry game and the State Fair of Texas.
The stadium was originally called Fair Park Stadium, built for $328,000 as part of the State Fair of Texas complex. It became the Cotton Bowl in 1936 when the Cotton Bowl Classic — one of college football’s original New Year’s Day bowl games — made it its home. For decades, the Cotton Bowl was one of the most important venues in American sports: the Dallas Cowboys played here from 1960 to 1971, the Cotton Bowl Classic was appointment television on New Year’s Day, and the State Fair of Texas turned the surrounding fairgrounds into the biggest party in the South every October.
The Red River Rivalry is the Cotton Bowl’s reason for being. Every October, during the State Fair, Texas and Oklahoma split the stadium 50/50 — burnt orange on one side, crimson on the other, the 50-yard line as the dividing border. The spectacle of 92,000 fans in two colours, Big Tex standing outside, the smell of fried food in the air — it is one of the most distinctive game-day settings in all of American sports and the single event that has kept this stadium relevant for nearly a century.
The Cotton Bowl hosted six matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, proving it could stage world-class soccer on the international stage. A major renovation in 2008–2010 added 17,000 seats, modernised the infrastructure, and preserved the Art Deco character of the Fair Park complex. The stadium is a Texas landmark — its survival is a testament to the Red River Rivalry and the enduring pull of Fair Park itself.
Getting to the Cotton Bowl
Public Transit
The Cotton Bowl is served by DART light rail, with Fair Park station steps from the stadium.
→ Via DART Green Line: Fair Park station is adjacent to the Cotton Bowl, about a 5-minute walk from the gates. From downtown Dallas (West End or Akard stations), the ride takes about 10 minutes. Fare is $2.50 with a DART GoPass.
→ Via DART Bus: Several bus routes serve Fair Park, including routes 2 and 56 along Parry Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
DART is the best option, especially during the State Fair of Texas when parking is scarce and expensive. The Green Line drops you at the gates — fast, cheap, and avoids the nightmare of Fair Park traffic.
Driving + Parking
The stadium address is 3750 The Midway, Dallas, TX 75210. I-30 is the primary approach from all directions.
→ From Downtown Dallas (~2 mi): I-30 East to the 2nd Avenue or Haskell Avenue exits. About 10 minutes without traffic.
→ From Fort Worth (~35 mi): I-30 East to the Fair Park exits. About 35–45 minutes.
→ From North Dallas/Plano (~20 mi): US-75 South to I-30 East. About 25–35 minutes.
Fair Park surface lots cost $10–$30 on event days. During the State Fair (late September through October), parking is more expensive and fills very early. Neighbourhood parking is restricted and enforced during events. DART is strongly recommended during the State Fair — driving to Fair Park during the fair is a test of patience.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft have designated zones on Parry Avenue near the Fair Park entrance. From downtown Dallas hotels, expect $8–$12. From Uptown, $10–$15. During the State Fair, surge pricing is heavy — take DART. Post-event pickups are easier from the 2nd Avenue gate on the east side.
From the Airport
→ Dallas Love Field (DAL): 8 miles northwest, about 15–20 minutes by car. Hub for Southwest Airlines with extensive domestic service. DART bus route 39 connects Love Field to downtown; transfer to the Green Line for Fair Park. Rideshare runs $12–$18.
→ Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW): 22 miles northwest, about 30–40 minutes by car. Major hub for American Airlines with extensive domestic and international service. DART Orange Line connects DFW to downtown; transfer to the Green Line for Fair Park. Rideshare runs $25–$35.
History of the Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl was built in 1930 as Fair Park Stadium — a 46,000-seat venue designed by architect Mark Lemmon as part of the State Fair of Texas complex. It was renamed the Cotton Bowl in 1936 when the first Cotton Bowl Classic was played, and the stadium’s identity became inseparable from the bowl game and the fair.
Dallas Cowboys Era (1960–1971): The Cotton Bowl was the original home of the Dallas Cowboys. Tom Landry, Don Meredith, Bob Lilly, and Roger Staubach all played here before the team moved to Texas Stadium in Irving. The Cowboys’ first 12 NFL seasons were played inside these walls, including the 1966 NFL Championship Game — the “Ice Bowl” prelude, played in Dallas before the famous rematch in Green Bay.
1994 FIFA World Cup (June–July 1994): The Cotton Bowl hosted six World Cup matches — more than any other venue in the southern United States. The tournament’s success in Dallas helped establish MLS and proved that American soccer could thrive in a football town. FC Dallas’s existence owes something to those six games.
Red River Rivalry: The annual Texas vs. Oklahoma game has been played at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas every October since 1929 — predating the Cotton Bowl itself. The stadium split 50/50 between burnt orange and crimson, Big Tex looming outside, fried food and rivalry in the air. It is the single event that has kept this venue relevant for nearly a century, and it remains one of the most spectacular spectacles in American sports.
2008–2010 Renovation: A $140 million renovation added 17,000 seats, expanded the upper deck, installed modern amenities, and brought capacity to 92,100 — all while preserving the Art Deco character of Fair Park. The Cotton Bowl Classic moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington in 2010, but the stadium retained its name and its identity.
From the Cowboys’ first touchdown to six World Cup matches to 92,000 fans split in two colours every October, the Cotton Bowl is a Texas monument — the oldest stadium in the state, sustained by a rivalry, a fair, and a city that has never stopped finding reasons to fill it.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
The Cotton Bowl is the oldest surviving stadium in Texas — built in 1930 during the State Fair of Texas expansion of Fair Park — and its 92,100 capacity makes it one of the 10 largest stadiums in the United States, despite no longer hosting a permanent college or professional tenant.
The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma — played at the Cotton Bowl every October during the State Fair of Texas — splits the stadium 50/50 between burnt orange and crimson, with the 50-yard line serving as the dividing line in one of the most visually stunning settings in college football.
The Cotton Bowl hosted six matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup — more than any other venue in the southern United States — including a Spain vs. South Korea group match that drew 63,998 fans and proved that Dallas could support world-class soccer on the international stage.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of the Cotton Bowl?
- The Cotton Bowl seats 92,100, making it one of the 10 largest stadiums in the United States. The current capacity was achieved after a major 2008–2010 renovation that added 17,000 seats and modernized the facility while preserving its historic character.
- Where is the Cotton Bowl located?
- The Cotton Bowl is at 3750 The Midway in Dallas, Texas 75210. It sits within Fair Park, a 277-acre complex of Art Deco buildings about 2 miles east of downtown Dallas.
- What is the Red River Rivalry?
- The Red River Rivalry (also called the Red River Showdown) is the annual college football game between Texas and Oklahoma, played at the Cotton Bowl every October during the State Fair of Texas. The stadium is split 50/50 between the two fan bases, with the 50-yard line as the dividing line.
- How do I get to the Cotton Bowl?
- DART's Green Line stops at Fair Park station, adjacent to the Cotton Bowl. From downtown Dallas, the ride takes about 10 minutes. By car, approach via I-30 to the 2nd Avenue or Haskell Avenue exits. Parking is available in Fair Park lots at $10–$30 on event days.
- Is there parking at the Cotton Bowl?
- Fair Park has extensive surface parking lots at $10–$30 on event days. During the State Fair (September–October), parking is more expensive and fills early. DART is strongly recommended during the State Fair. Residential neighbourhood parking is restricted during events.
- Did the Cotton Bowl host the World Cup?
- Yes. The Cotton Bowl hosted six matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup — the most of any venue in the southern United States. Matches included Spain vs. South Korea, the Netherlands vs. Saudi Arabia, and a Round of 16 game. The success of the 1994 games helped establish Dallas as a major soccer market.
- What is the Cotton Bowl Classic?
- The Cotton Bowl Classic was one of college football's original New Year's Day bowl games, first played in 1937. The game moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington in 2010, but the Cotton Bowl stadium retains its name. The First Responder Bowl and other college games are still played at the venue.
- How far is the airport from the Cotton Bowl?
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) is 8 miles northwest, about 15–20 minutes by car. Hub for Southwest Airlines. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) is 22 miles northwest, about 30–40 minutes. DFW is the major hub for American Airlines. DART connects DFW to Fair Park via the Orange Line with a transfer.
Last updated: 2026-03-05
