First-Ever Curtains At Dallas Stadium: Sun Glare Fixed For World Cup Match
· Yahoo Sports
For the first time during a major sporting event, curtains were installed inside Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) to block sunlight streaming through the venue’s massive west-facing glass wall during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match.
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The temporary change was in place Thursday for the group-stage match between Japan and Sweden, marking a notable departure from the long-standing approach favored by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has repeatedly dismissed calls to install curtains during NFL games.
The stadium, temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium for the World Cup under FIFA branding rules, hosted the evening match with black curtains covering the west-end glass panels while the east-end windows remained uncovered.
Long-Standing Issue at Cowboys Games
Dallas Stadium’s east-west orientation has made sunlight a recurring issue during late-afternoon football games.
Unlike most NFL stadiums, which are built on a north-south axis, the Cowboys’ home stadium allows the setting sun to shine directly through its western glass wall, at times affecting players’ visibility.
The glare has influenced several games over the years, including the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs last November.
Following that game, Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens said he lost sight of a pass because of the sun.
“The sun was beating in my eyes, so I couldn’t see,” Pickens said afterward, according to the Associated Press.
Teammate CeeDee Lamb responded by joking, “He already knew it. Welcome to Dallas, bro,” referencing similar issues he experienced during the 2024 season.
Jerry Jones Previously Rejected Curtain Proposal
Although curtains have been used at Dallas Stadium for concerts and other special events, Jones has consistently opposed installing them for Cowboys games.
In 2024, he dismissed criticism over the stadium’s design.
“We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium,” Jones said at the time, per AP.
He then added, “Let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one. Are you kidding me?”
Jones had not attended any World Cup matches at the stadium as of Thursday.
FIFA Takes a Different Approach
Thursday’s match kicked off at 6 p.m. local time, with sunset occurring around 8:40 p.m., creating the potential for direct sunlight during portions of the game.
Although skies remained overcast for much of the afternoon, the sun emerged roughly an hour before kickoff, validating FIFA’s decision to install the curtains.
Earlier World Cup matches at the venue relied primarily on the stadium’s tinted windows, but organizers opted for the additional sun-blocking measure for the evening contest.
The match between Japan and Sweden ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams advancing to the tournament’s Round of 32, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.
Fans Approve of the Change
Some fans welcomed the temporary modification and suggested it should become a permanent feature during Cowboys games.
“I think they should do it for the football games,” Austin resident Jesse Nunez said while attending his first event at the stadium, AP reported. “I’ve seen plays where you can see the players actively can’t see.”
Dallas Stadium is scheduled to host nine matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The next contest at the venue is set for Saturday between Argentina and Jordan. Because that match begins later in the evening, the stadium’s sun glare is not expected to be a factor.