Speaking during a training camp interview, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the organization is evaluating whether to tint the stadium’s iconic glass after seeing the approach used during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We’re giving that a thought,” Jones told Fox 4 KDFW, while emphasizing that considering the idea and implementing it are “two different things.”
The comments represent one of Jones’ strongest indications yet that he may be willing to address an issue that has frustrated players, coaches and fans since AT&T Stadium opened in 2009.
World Cup Experience Prompts Reconsideration
Jones said the temporary tinting installed for World Cup matches left a favorable impression.
“It’s hard to tell that time of the year, because the sun’s not the same,” Jones said, noting that the sun’s angle changes throughout the football season. “But as we look at it, I like some of the effects of the tinting.”
During the FIFA World Cup, organizers required modifications to reduce glare inside the stadium. FIFA temporarily used window tinting and, for at least one match, black curtains on the west-facing side to eliminate the problem.
The international soccer tournament highlighted a potential compromise between preserving the stadium’s signature appearance and improving visibility for athletes.
Sun Glare Has Affected NFL Games
AT&T Stadium’s east-west orientation allows sunlight to pour through its enormous end-zone windows during many afternoon games in the fall.
While the natural lighting has become one of the venue’s defining architectural features, it has also created visibility problems for players attempting to track passes.
One of the most notable examples occurred during the Cowboys’ 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 10, 2024.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said he lost sight of what appeared to be an easy touchdown pass because of the glare.
“I couldn’t see the ball. Couldn’t see the ball, at all. The sun,” Lamb said after the game.
Players from opposing teams have also complained over the years that the sunlight can affect gameplay during late-afternoon contests.
Longstanding Debate Over Stadium Design
For years, Jones resisted suggestions to permanently address the glare, arguing that the natural light was part of the stadium’s architectural vision and that both teams competed under the same conditions.
Although curtains have been used during concerts and other non-football events, Jones has never authorized their use during Cowboys games.
Critics have long argued the issue could have been avoided had the stadium been oriented north-to-south, the standard layout for most football venues. Instead, Jones opted for an east-west design that allows sunlight to illuminate the stadium and create dramatic television visuals.
No Decision Made
Jones stressed that no final decision has been reached on permanently tinting the windows.
Any change would likely require balancing several factors, including preserving the stadium’s signature look, installation costs and maintaining the open-air feel created by the expansive glass.
Still, the fact that Jones is publicly considering window tinting marks a notable shift after more than 15 years of defending one of AT&T Stadium’s most recognizable — and controversial — design features.
