Filed under: dallas cowboys, NFL, sports, super bowl, top-feature
SuperBowl in Dallas
It’s been in the works for a few years and now the time has finally come, the NFL’s SuperBowl XLV will be coming to Dallas. Within weeks it will be a reality, but if you’re a sports fan or football enthusiast not from the Big D you might feel a little lost when it comes to the lay of the land.
The Venue
Super Bowl XLV will be North Texas’ first time to host the game, but first things first since the SuperBowl is actually being played in Arlington, Texas in the Dallas Cowboy’s new stadium. Opened in 2009, the stadium is a state-of-the-art venue with seating for more than 90,000 fans and will be the largest venue to host a Super Bowl since the Rose Bowl in 1993. In fact, the stadium encompasses 3 million square-feet and with the domed roof being 660,800 square-feet it is also reportedly the largest domed structure in the world.
With 300 luxury suites, that’s more than any other stadium in the NFL, you’ll also find two open end zones with glass retractable doors adjacent to the end zone entries and a retractable roof for good weather or bad. The stadium boasts four video boards with a four-board cluster suspended over the center of the playing surface running from the 20-yard line to the 20-yard line. Another Texas “biggest” is the largest video board installed in the world so no matter where you sit, you have a good view.
Getting Around Town
There are a number of cities around Dallas helping out with accommodations and activities for SuperBowl XLV from Fort Worth, to Arlington, Denton, Grapevine, Addison, Irving, Frisco, Plano, Lewisville, Farmers Branch and Richardson. Given all the excitement there are a lot of things to see and do, but it’s important to know how to get around.
One of the best things about the stadium in Arlington is that it sits right in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth with accessibility to the entire area. There are 14 approaches from major highways into the stadium and regionally it sits in the Arlington Entertainment District. There are two ways to get to and from the Dallas Cowboy Stadium –driving, which is what most people do and public transportation called DART.
For public transportation a four-day regional transit pass (valid February 3-6) is available for $30 and comes with an official NFL Super Bowl XLV lanyard and pass holder. It allows unlimited rides on DART’s red, green or blue rail lines as well as DART buses and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). On game day riders can ride the TRE to the CentrePort Station and pick up a bus, which will take them to the stadium. For non-transit pass holders a single-ride ticket on DART is $1.75 or a day pass is $4 and tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines on the platforms of each rail station.
If you decide to drive take note that the highways near the stadium are I30 (Tom Landry Super Bowl Highway), I20 and 360 – all easy access points to get to the stadium.
For parking on game day near or around Cowboys Stadium you’ll also need a visible parking permit, which can be purchased in advance. There will be no RV’s permitted to park in the NFL-controlled parking areas.
Tickets
If you still haven’t bought your SuperBowl tickets the official NFL site is your best bet to find available seats.
Great Sports Bars to Hang
If you can’t watch the game at the stadium, but you’re still in town to enjoy the madness, there are a number of local sports bars that get high marks.
For a drink before or after the game you can’t go wrong hanging out at Frankie’s Sports Bar is in Uptown (3227 McKinney Avenue, Dallas map) with its 30 large televisions, junk food and fans from around the country.
The Press Box Grill (1680 Elm Street, Dallas, map) is downtown in a historic building near the Majestic Theater. Tourists and local alike enjoy this scene both stylish and low-key. With 80 different beers to choose from bottles and draughts, SuperBowl Sunday is sure to be a big hit.
Ten Sports Grill (1302 Main Street, Dallas, map) is an agreeable sports bar for watching the game with enough televisions for everyone and a menu that draws a more high-end crowd. Owned by a former strength coach of the Dallas Mavericks the place has garnered a number of local awards for its “testosterone” enhanced atmosphere.
Known fondly as The Mat, The McKinney Avenue Tavern (2822 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, map), caters to a younger crowd. In addition to sports, sports and more sports, there’s also karaoke and Golden Tee golf.
Super Bowl XLV Information
Cowboys Stadium Arlington Office (Cowboys Stadium, One Legends Way, Arlington, map)
Game Date: February 6, 2011
Game Time: 5:28 pm
Photo credit: Both from flickr, Steve Carlton (stadium exterior); Scott Ellis (interior)
2 Comments
Hi, we’re a BBQ and sports bar located in Grapevine. We also offer BBQ catering.
We welcome all Super Bowl fans coming to the DFW area. We are located at 1720 Texas 26, Grapevine, TX, look for Big Racks BBQ, thanks!