Shaded Seats at AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium (aka Jerry World) is the expansive home of the Dallas Cowboys. It hosts a wide array of events beyond the NFL, including college football, concerts, and the 2026 World Cup. The climate in the Dallas Metroplex is brutally hot throughout much of the year. Realistically though, most fans attending an event at Jerry World will experience it with the roof closed. However, on the chance the game you’re attending will be open-air, it’s helpful to know where to find the best shaded seats at AT&T Stadium.

Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at AT&T Stadium?

If the roof is open, you’ll find shaded seats at AT&T Stadium:

• South Sideline: Shaded on the Cowboys home side
• West End Zone: Shaded for most of the afternoon and evening

And sunny seats at AT&T Stadium are mainly:

• North Sideline: Sun shines through in the afternoon

Cowboys games typically kick off at 12:00 p.m., occasionally around 3:30 p.m., and sometimes after sunset for NFL Sunday Night or Monday Night games. Concerts and soccer games are frequently scheduled for late afternoon or early evening. For specific details about shaded sections at different start times, please continue reading.

AT&T Stadium Orientation to the Sun

AT&T Stadium is oriented northeast to southwest. By noon, the sun is high in the sky behind the south sideline. Over the course of the afternoon, it curves around the west end zone and eventually sets near the northwest corner. This configuration generally positions the south and west sides of the stadium as the “shade side,” while the east side tends to be sunnier.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on September 1st.

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at AT&T Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon AT&T Stadium Events

AT&T Stadium features a rectangular-shaped retractable roof directly above the field of play. Compared to other retractable roof venues, it is relatively small. One way to think of the roof at AT&T Stadium is like a car with an open sunroof rather than a convertible with the top down. Because of its enormous capacity, a substantial number of seats are still exposed to sunlight when the roof is open.

For shade, prefer the south (home) side. All levels on this side shield you from the sun’s rays, including sections 101-119, 201-219, 301-320, and 401-424. Later in the afternoon, as the sun curves around the stadium, those seated behind the west end zone will find themselves in the shade, with the sun at their backs. Shaded sections here include 120-126, 220-226, 321-326, and 425-430.

Sections prone to sun exposure are primarily on the north (visitors) side. Be careful with 127-144 and 227-244, as these areas are most likely to get a blast of sun during early afternoon games. Not every section will be in the sun at the same time. The relatively small opening in the roof means the sun will hit different sections at different times. Seats in the 300-level and 400-level may be far enough back that the non-retractable section of the roof blocks the sun, but this depends on the exact row and time of day.

The relatively small opening keeps most seats in the shade, but sun that sneaks through the open roof at AT&T Stadium is most likely to hit seats on the north sideline.
drippy_bo13 / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening AT&T Stadium Events

Shade is plentiful by evening, even when the roof is open. Sections on the south (home) side and behind the west end zone are reliably shaded. Most seats on the north (visitor) side are shaded as well. Those looking to avoid the sun should be careful with seats behind the east end zone. As the sun rotates around the stadium, seats in this area can be briefly exposed to the sun. The same applies to seats on the sidelines closest to the east end zone. However, any sun exposure should only last a short time as the non-retractable portion of the roof quickly blocks out the sun again as it moves throughout the evening.

Ready to Get Your Cowboys Tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at AT&T Stadium.