The Gals’ First Timers Guide to a Dallas Cowboys Game

Hey Girl! Are you headed out to see your first Dallas Cowboys game? Then you need this: The Gals’ First Timers Guide to a Dallas Cowboys Game.

Thanks to #GoVerizon for inviting me to my first time at Dallas Cowboys game. #GoVerizon

When you step out of my backdoor you can actually see both of the stadiums that house the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Considering how close we live to all the action, you’d think we spend a lot of time there, but unfortunately, until a few weeks ago, I’d never been inside to see a game of America’s #1 Team. To get ready for the big game, I wasn’t sure what to wear, what to bring (or not) and what else I should do to have the best experience. So here’s your breakdown of everything you need from one gal to another to go to your first Dallas Cowboys Game.

What to Wear

Of course, like any great milestone, the first thing a female wants to know is “What do I Wear?” While I did do a little Pinterest research for ideas, the reality of what to wear to the game is by taking a look at what everyone else was wearing once I got there. Honestly, it seems as though there were two specific camps you fell into with your appropriate attire at the Cowboys game:

Sporty Spice

About the women at the game sported their jerseys and cute team apparel proudly. A few of them would add their own spin with lots of Texas flair like rhinestones, ballcaps and boots.

Posh Spice

The other half fell more into this group with Texas flair from head to toe. These gals brought their A game with bling, dresses, skirts and also, like our Sporty Spice, the boots (also with bling and design.)

If you don’t fall into either of these you’ll be fine, but just remember if you wear a skirt and your seats are up high, you might want to wear a cute pair of bloomers for the all the spectators below. 🙂

What to Bring

Handbags

My biggest concern of what to bring to the game was my handbag. I normally carry a pretty large bag, but I didn’t want to deal with it at the game. And that’s good since the stadium doesn’t allow it. The rules are very specific when it comes to the size of your bag and what you can have in it.

• NFL approved bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.” The bags may be hand-carried or have a shoulder strap.

• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).

• Small, one compartment, clutch bag that does not exceed 8.5″ x 5.5″, with or without a handle or strap. This can be carried separately or within a plastic bag.

  

Mobile Phone (and it matters which provider you have)!

Of course, in addition to your bag, you need to think about what you’re bringing. While you should always have a driver’s license (especially if you plan to drink alcohol at a tailgate party or purchase at the game), the other most important item is your mobile phone. I know I thought my AT&T smartphone wouldn’t have even had been a talking point since  it’s AT&T Stadium at all, but that was not the case. From the moment I arrived for tailgating until I left to go home, my reception was a gamble and most the time I was losing. A lot. I wanted to chronicle my experience and without my friend with a Verizon phone (which has excellent service), I wouldn’t have been able to communicate online at all.

Bottomline, if you want to be offline and zone into the game while you’re there and have your own arrangements for transportion, you’re ok. But if you want to share that touchdown, take a selfie with the celebrity you might bump into milling around the stadium or meet up with that friend you know is also at the game at a mutual location, it’s probably not going to happen unless you have good reception like I know you’ll get from Verizon and not from AT&T.

Strollers

If you are bringing a kiddo until 2 to the game, you’ll probably want to bring a stroller. Remember, that stadium is HUGE and unless you are hanging with Jerry himself, you’ll be walking whereever your seat is and you’ll want a stroller. Strollers are permitted and ideally an umbrella one will do the job so you can put it under your seat. If not, you can check the stroller at Guest Services Center located on the concourse behind Sections 219, 244, 420 and 451.

How to Get There

It costs a lot of money to park at the stadium. I mean like $100 or so and you might still be walking to get there. And there’s still the time it takes to find a spot and after the game, get out in a reasonable time. However, if you’re smart, there’s several other options that don’t cost you money, time or too much effort!

Uber

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to get on the ball. However, but in a nutshell, it’s a cab service manned by other regular folks like you and I. Calling for a car has never been so easy with the Uber app which also is the way you pay. And anyone at mamachallenge.com can get $2o off their first Uber ride by using code “MamaChallenge20”. Just download the app and get going on your own car service.

Ride the Trolley

In Arlington around the ballpark, there are many restaurants and retailers that are happy for you to come and park – as long as you come and spend a little time (and money) before the game. For normally $20-30 spent, you can park your car and take the convenient red trolley to drop you off at the stadium. For instance, Cici’s Pizza will let you park for $100 and you get a few pizzas to boot.

Drive & Park

If you opt to just drive your car right on up to Jerry’s World, just make sure to give yourself some time, patience and bring comfortable shoes because it might take a while to find a spot. However, if you’re going early to tailgate you probably can scout out a good place. Just remember, if you are hosting the tailgate and have a tent you plan to put up close to the grounds, you need to make sure you got a permit for that.

You’re at the Game, Now What?

You Don’t Understand Football

Hey, me neither! But the game is a lot of fun without even watching the game too seriously. Either ask someone around you to give you a little lesson (unless they are too into it and now is not the time.) Or again, use that phone to look it up. However, I can tell you the words “Touchdown” and “Field Goal” are good words when we are referring to the Cowboys. And if you hear “fumble” or a lot of people giving a piece of their mind at the ref, it’s not going so well.

Food 

Food is the second most important F-word at a Cowboys game. And there’s a lot of it. Whether you are aiming for beer and nachos to a nicer, upscale meal made from a well-trained chef, they make it available for you. I really eyed the taqueria fare, however, the cinnamon nuts are going to try to lure you with their aroma. If you are on a diet or watching your weight, this isn’t really your favorite eating destination, but you do have options.

Just in Case

There’s a lot of things you might not want to ask or think will happen, but sometimes they do, which is why there are several services in place to help while you’re onsite.

Family Restrooms

You’ll find family restrooms throughout the stadium on all concourses and on each Club and Suite level. Also there are baby changing stations in baby girl or boy needs a new diaper.

Text program
Got a question and can’t find anyone to ask? Guest may call for assistance during each event by sending a text message to 69050 from your cell phone.  Type the word STAR followed by a space and the issues (question, comment, concern, etc.) and location and someone will get back to you to help.

First Aid Kit

No one wants to get hurt, but it can happen with all those stairs or those cute heels you chose to wear instead of comfortable shoes like I suggested. If you need a bandaid or other medical assistance, you can find five first aid locations including Event Level – Northeast Tunnel, Main Concourse – Behind Sections 219 and 244 and Upper Concourse – Behind Sections 420 and 451. However, contact a member of the event staff and they can quickly guide you to neccesary assistance.

Lost and Found

If you’re like me, you are the worst at laying down something and then forgetting to pick it back up especially coats, hats or that new shirt you might have bought in the gift shop. If that’s you too and now you can’t find it head to Guest Services. As long as your item is not your mobile phone, then call (817) 892-4161 for information or notify them via lostandfound@dallascowboys.net for your item.

Now if you lose the kiddo or your friend you came with, thankfully they have that, too. Contact a member of the staff and they can help you reconnect.

Safe-in-the-Seat Program

Guests can receive a free ID bracelet featuring a space to write in their seat location. The Safe in the Seat Program aids in reuniting lost children and guests with their parties. The bracelets are available at all Guest Services Centers located on the concourse behind Sections 219, 244, 420 and 451. Safe in the Seat bracelets are not valid in place of a ticket.

And of course, if all else fails, there is an app for that! Download the AT&T Stadium app in advance or if you are doing it onsite, you’ll need good service like with Verizon Wireless.

Got any tips for football game success for the gals?