Talk about a financial touchdown! The City of Arlington just scored big time by paying off its AT&T Stadium debt a full decade ahead of schedule, saving taxpayers a whopping $151 million in the process.
The Deal That Changed Everything
Back in 2004, Arlington voters faced a big decision: Should we help bring the Dallas Cowboys to town? The answer was a resounding yes, and boy, did that gamble pay off.
Here’s what voters approved:
- Half-cent sales tax increase
- 2% hotel occupancy tax
- 5% rental car tax
All to cover Arlington’s $325 million share of what was supposed to be a $650 million stadium. (Spoiler alert: it ended up costing $1.2 billion when it opened in 2009, but the Cowboys covered everything beyond Arlington’s original commitment.)
The Numbers That’ll Blow Your Mind
Original Plan: Pay off the debt over 30 years What Actually Happened: Paid off in just 20 years Final Payment: $22.6 million on Friday, August 15, 2025 Total Cost: $490,325,273 in principal, interest, and fees Money Saved: Nearly $151 million less than projected!
That’s like getting a $151 million refund check – except it’s money Arlington never had to pay in the first place.
How This Stadium Became a Gold Mine
AT&T Stadium isn’t just a football field – it’s an economic powerhouse:
- Holds 100,000 people (that’s a small city!)
- Hosted Super Bowl XLV
- Set records with two WWE WrestleMania events
- Welcomed Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour (and you know how big that was!)
- Selected to host nine 2026 FIFA World Cup games
The Secret to Arlington’s Success
Smart Revenue Streams: Those three taxes generate about $55 million per year from residents and Arlington’s 16 million-plus annual visitors. That’s right – tourists and visitors helped pay for a good chunk of this stadium!
Financial Discipline: By law, this stadium tax money can only be used for stadium debt. It can’t get mixed up with other city expenses, which kept Arlington focused and on track.
Strategic Refinancing: Arlington’s financial team didn’t just sit back and make minimum payments. They actively refinanced and made early redemptions when it made sense, saving millions along the way.
What Mayor Jim Ross Is Saying
“As we celebrate this milestone, it’s important to acknowledge former Mayor Robert Cluck’s vision to bring the Dallas Cowboys to Arlington,” Mayor Ross said. “His foresight, and the Arlington voters’ support to invest in a world-class stadium, has created jobs, boosted our economy over the years and cemented Arlington’s reputation as a premier destination for sports and entertainment.”
The Ripple Effect for Arlington
Job Creation: The stadium has been an employment engine for nearly two decades Economic Boost: Millions of visitors spending money in Arlington restaurants, hotels, and shops National Recognition: Arlington is now known worldwide as a sports and entertainment destination Property Values: The Entertainment District has become a major draw
What Happens to Those Taxes Now?
Here’s the thing – those taxes aren’t going away. Arlington voters approved keeping them in 2017 to help pay for Globe Life Field (the Texas Rangers’ stadium). So the money that was going to AT&T Stadium debt is now helping with the baseball stadium.
The Bigger Picture: A Model for Other Cities
Arlington proved something important: Public-private partnerships can work when they’re structured right. The city kept its costs contained, the Cowboys paid for cost overruns, and the revenue streams were diversified to include visitors, not just residents.
Key Success Factors:
- Voters had a clear say in the decision
- Dedicated revenue streams that couldn’t be raided for other purposes
- Active debt management that saved millions
- The Cowboys honored their commitment to cover overruns
What You Can Learn from This
For Arlington Residents: Your 2004 vote to bring the Cowboys to town just saved you $151 million. That stadium has been paying for itself through visitor spending and has put Arlington on the world map.
For Other Communities: This is how you do a major public infrastructure project – with clear voter approval, dedicated funding sources, and disciplined financial management.
The Bottom Line
Arlington took a big swing in 2004 and knocked it out of the park. By paying off their stadium debt 10 years early, they’ve proven that sometimes the best investments are the ones that seem risky at first.
The city now owns a world-class facility that’s hosted some of the biggest events in sports and entertainment history, created thousands of jobs, and established Arlington as a premier destination. And they did it all while saving $151 million.
Pro Tip: The next time you’re at AT&T Stadium for a Cowboys game, concert, or World Cup match in 2026, remember – you’re experiencing the results of smart financial planning and a community that wasn’t afraid to dream big.
Quick Facts:
- Stadium Opened: 2009 in Arlington’s Entertainment District
- Capacity: 100,000 people
- Arlington’s Investment: $325 million (out of $1.2 billion total)
- Debt Paid Off: August 15, 2025 (10 years early)
- Total Savings: Nearly $151 million
- Annual Tax Revenue: About $55 million from three dedicated taxes
Sometimes the biggest risks lead to the biggest rewards – and Arlington just proved it.
