Cotton Bowl Stadium: Tickets, Entry, and Getting There

Cotton Bowl Stadium is inside Fair Park at 3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210. Its address places it within the larger fairgrounds, so use the event’s directions to confirm which gate to enter.

The stadium opened in 1930 as Fair Park Stadium, with 46,000 seats. Fair Park now lists its capacity as 92,100. For more context on the surrounding grounds, the Fair Park and State Fair guide covers the wider destination.

Ticket information and entry arrangements for Cotton Bowl Stadium depend on the event. Fair Park directs visitors to each event page for ticket details, entry instructions and checkpoint information; gate-opening times are not given as a general rule.

Bag rules are specific: permitted options include a clear plastic bag or tote no larger than 12” × 6” × 12”, a one-gallon clear resealable plastic bag, or a small clutch or purse no larger than 4.5” × 6.5”. A small clutch does not need to be clear. Medical-device bags are allowed but are subject to inspection.

Fair Park’s prohibited-items list includes outside food and drinks, backpacks and large bags, bottles, cans and flasks, coolers, umbrellas, strollers, weapons, and pets other than service animals. The list may change by event. Accessible tickets are available at Fair Park events, but availability varies; check the individual event page for details.

DART’s Green Line serves Fair Park Station on Parry Avenue, at the fairgrounds entrance, and MLK, Jr. Station south of Robert B. Cullum Boulevard, near Gate 6. For routes and other services, consult this guide to getting around Dallas by DART and bus.

Rideshare pickup and drop-off are available outside park gates. The designated locations can vary, so use the event page to confirm where your driver should meet you.

Cotton Bowl Stadium is about an 8-minute drive from Welcome Inn, where you can book a room for a stadium event. Fair Park’s main entrance gates are Gates 5 and 6 on Robert B. Cullum Boulevard, but the gate used for entry may vary by event.

Fair Park has more than 14,000 parking spaces. Parking rates and availability vary by event, and a fee may apply for some Fair Park or Cotton Bowl Stadium events; general parking is free on non-event days. Check the event page for the applicable details.

Accessible parking is available throughout Fair Park. Tell a parking attendant that you need accessible parking so they can direct you. Accessible restrooms are located throughout the park, and service animals are allowed inside Fair Park at all times.

Traffic delays can occur when entering or leaving the grounds during large events and peak periods. Fair Park advises planning ahead. Overnight parking is not allowed; vehicles left overnight may be towed at the owner’s expense.