NFL Status
No team in-city
Nearest Team
Dallas Cowboys
Nearest City
Arlington
Distance
about 20 miles
Dallas does not have an NFL team playing within city limits. Like the Rangers in MLB, the Cowboys don't actually play within Dallas city limits — AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, roughly midway between Dallas and Fort Worth.
Bottom line: Like the Rangers in MLB, the Cowboys don't actually play within Dallas city limits — AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, roughly midway between Dallas and Fort Worth.
How Dallas fits into the NFL's map
| City type | What it means for fans |
|---|---|
| Current NFL city | A home team plays there right now — tickets, tailgates, the full Sunday experience |
| No team, tied to a nearby metro | Fully part of a team's fan base and market, just not the literal host city |
| Former NFL city | Had a team that relocated — often with real, traceable history and a franchise playing elsewhere today |
| No current tie | Nearest NFL football is a regional trip, not a local one — college football often fills the gap instead |
Visiting Dallas for football
- NFL tickets swing hard on opponent and time slot — a Monday or Thursday night marquee game costs far more than an early-season Sunday against a weak opponent.
- Tailgating culture varies a lot by stadium — some lots open hours before kickoff, others have tight restrictions, so check the team's own gameday policy before planning around it.
- Team, stadium and relocation facts here reflect current reporting as of 2026 — stadium situations in particular are moving fast across the league, so it's worth a quick check closer to your travel dates.
FAQs — Dallas and the NFL
Does Dallas have an NFL team?
No — the Dallas Cowboys play in Arlington, about 20 miles away.
Is Dallas still considered part of an NFL market?
Yes — Dallas is fully part of the Dallas Cowboys's metro fan base and broadcast territory.
How far is Dallas from NFL games?
Like the Rangers in MLB, the Cowboys don't actually play within Dallas city limits — AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, roughly midway between Dallas and Fort Worth.
What is Dallas best known for in NFL terms?
AT&T Stadium itself, nicknamed 'Jerry World' after owner Jerry Jones, hosted Super Bowl XLV in 2011 and remains one of the largest domed stadiums in the world.