ESPN NFL

HISTORY:

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wanted to make his mark when it came to building a stadium to replace Texas Stadium. And he didn't disappoint. Everything is Texas-sized.

Cowboys Stadium has several key design features, as outlined by the team's website, including the largest retractable roof on the planet, which when closed makes the facility the largest enclosed NFL stadium.

The most famous feature, however, may be the world's largest HDTV. A center-hung video board is composed of four display screens (two facing the sidelines, measuring 160 feet by 72 feet, and two facing the end zones at 53 feet by 30 feet), weighs 600 tons and is suspended 90 feet above the field. The two bigger screens are the world's largest, SportsBusiness Daily reports.

Designers hope that when the roof is opened, a process that takes 12 minutes, the image of Texas Stadium's famous "hole in the roof" comes to mind. Another architectural first is the world's longest single-span roof structure, featuring two 292-foot arches that support the retractable roof. The retractable end zone doors, which open in 18 minutes, also are, you guessed it, the world's largest.

The seating configuration is expandable to accommodate 100,000 for major events, including when Cowboys Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLV in February 2011. And the bow on the stadium is the 86-foot-high, canted-glass exterior wall. Cowboys Stadium also hosted the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.

(See more on the Pilgrimage to Cowboys Stadium.)

-- Information from the Cowboys Stadium website was used in this overview

SEATING NOTES:

• Party Pass and Suite locations are not shown in the map.
• Party Passes give you access to six party decks for either the east or west end zone overlooking the field at Cowboys Stadium. There will be no chairs for these tickets.

General:

Prohibited items include luggage, large bags, backpacks, large purses and similar items. Only small cameras are allowed; video cameras and cameras with zoom lenses are prohibited. Smoking is prohibited. The code of conduct indicates that foul, disruptive and/or abusive languages or gestures are not allowed; fighting, intoxication, sitting in a ticketed seat belonging to another guest, obscene or indecent clothing and general disruptive behavior also will not be permitted.

Address:

One Legends Way
Arlington, TX 76011

Directions:

The facility can be reached from 14 approaches via surrounding major highways. There is access to the venue from three different exits coming off of I-30. There also is access from the interchange at Highway 360 and Division. For complete directions, see the Cowboys' website.

Parking:

Lots owned by or under the control of the Dallas Cowboys, along with surrounding parking, will provide a total of 30,000 parking spaces available on game day. Consult the Dallas Cowboys Web site for parking information.

Transportation:

There is no public transportation nearby.