The Ultimate Guide to Tailgating in Arlington, TX
Planning a Cowboys game day? Here's everything you need to know about tailgating and watch parties near AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Game Day in Arlington Starts Before Kickoff
If you've ever driven past AT&T Stadium on a Sunday morning, you already know: game day in Arlington doesn't start at kickoff. It starts hours earlier, in parking lots and green spaces packed with grills, folding chairs, and people who came for the whole experience — not just the three hours inside the stadium.
That's the idea behind Arlington Fanzone. Whether you have tickets to the game or not, we host a full tailgate party followed by a live watch party on big screens — so you get the food, the crowd, and the game day energy without needing a ticket at all.
What Makes a Great Tailgate?
A good tailgate isn't complicated, but it does take a few key ingredients:
Food and drinks that hold up outdoors: think grilled classics, shareable sides, and cold drinks that keep the energy up for hours
Seating and shade : tents, tables, and chairs so people aren't standing around for four hours
Something to watch or listen to: pregame coverage, highlights, or just good music while the crowd builds
A crowd that actually wants to be there: tailgating is as much about the people around you as it is the food
At Arlington Fanzone, we set all of this up before you arrive, so you're walking into a tailgate that's already going, not helping build one from scratch.
Do You Need a Game Ticket to Tailgate?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is no. You don't need a ticket to the game itself to join a tailgate or watch party. In fact, that's part of why events like this exist, game day tickets have gotten expensive, but the atmosphere, the food, and the community around game day are still worth showing up for.
Tailgate, Then Watch the Game — All in One Spot
One thing that sets Arlington Fanzone apart from a typical parking-lot tailgate: the party doesn't end when the game starts. Once kickoff hits, we move things over to a live watch party on big screens, so you're not scrambling to find a bar with an open table or fighting stadium traffic just to catch the second half somewhere else.
Planning Your Game Day Visit
1. Book early. Spots fill up fast, especially for high-demand matchups.
2. Check the schedule. Game times shift week to week (early afternoon, late afternoon, or primetime), so confirm the kickoff time before you plan your arrival.
3. Plan for parking. Arlington gets busy on game days, arriving early isn't just for the food, it's for the parking too.
4. Bring cash and cards. Some vendors move faster with one or the other, so it's worth having both on hand.
Looking for your next game day plan? Reserve your spot before it fills up.
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