Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints Preseason Parking Guide (Aug 28, 2026): AT&T Stadium Map, Prices & Tips

Heading to AT&T Stadium for the Cowboys vs. Saints preseason clash on August 28? Official lots open exactly at 2:00 PM for the 7:00 PM kickoff, but navigating Arlington's massive gridlock takes a solid game plan. From dodging the "Premium Lot Paradox" to avoiding residential flip-sign tow zones, here is exactly where to park and how to get out fast.

Preseason or not, 80,000 fans descending on the Arlington Entertainment District creates a traffic nightmare. You might think paying top dollar for a spot right next to the stadium is the smart move. Think again. I am going to show you why parking slightly further away is actually the fastest way home, how to navigate the strict digital-only parking rules, and where you can legitimately save cash without getting your car impounded.

If you just want to secure your spot right now, you can easily find parking for PRESEASON GAME: Dallas Cowboys v New Orleans Saints ahead of time so you aren't circling the block come game day.

AT&T Stadium Official Parking Map & Lot Prices

How much is parking at AT&T Stadium for preseason? For the August 28 Cowboys vs. Saints game, official AT&T Stadium parking prices range from $25 to $35 for Economy Lots, $50 to $75 for Standard Lots, and $58 to $150+ for Premium Lots.

Finding the right official spot comes down to balancing how much you want to walk, how much you want to spend, and how fast you want to leave. Here is the breakdown of the AT&T Stadium official parking map zones.

The Premium Lot Paradox (Lots 4-7, Blue & Silver)

Premium parking at AT&T Stadium sounds great on paper. You pay $75 to $150+ (though preseason resale sometimes dips to $58 to $70), and you get a spot with a short 5 to 10-minute walk to the gates.

Here is the catch: You are paying a massive premium to get trapped. The lots closest to the stadium, specifically Lots 4 through 7, dump directly into the worst post-game bottleneck on Collins Street. Because pedestrian traffic gets priority right after the game, vehicles in these premium lots are often held stationary for 45 minutes to an hour before police even let them inch toward the road. You get to your car fast, but you sit in it forever. Also, pavement tailgating is strictly prohibited here.

Standard Official Lots (Lots 10-12)

If you want to stick to official stadium parking, Standard Lots 10, 11, and 12 hit the sweet spot. Prices hover between $50 and $75. The walk is a manageable 10 to 15 minutes, and crucially, these lots offer great access to designated grass tailgating areas. They also feed into arterial roads slightly further from the immediate pedestrian crush, making your exit a bit smoother.

Economy Official Lots (Lots 14-15)

If you do not mind walking, the Economy Lots are a solid budget choice. Priced at $25 to $35, these spots require a 15 to 20-minute walk (roughly a mile). The tradeoff is a cheap official spot where tailgating is fully permitted. You just need to be prepared for the Texas heat in August during that one-mile trek.

AT&T Stadium Parking Options Comparison

Do I need to print my AT&T Stadium parking pass?

Absolutely not. Do not bring a printed piece of paper. AT&T Stadium is completely cashless and 100% reliant on mobile tickets. Your digital parking pass uses a dynamic barcode that refreshes every few seconds. If you bring a PDF printout or a static screenshot on your phone, the attendants will reject it at the gate and you will be turned away.

Ensure your phone is fully charged before you leave your house. A dead battery means denied entry. To save $10 to $20 compared to walk-up rates, purchase your passes in advance via the SeatGeek or Dallas Cowboys app, or check out our full AT&T Stadium season parking guide for season-long strategies.

Cheapest Parking Near AT&T Stadium & Third-Party Deals

Can you park for free near AT&T Stadium? No. There is no legitimate, legal free parking within a walkable distance of AT&T Stadium on game days. Any spot that looks free is likely a tow trap. If you are searching for the cheapest parking near AT&T Stadium for the Cowboys vs Saints game, you need to look at third-party lots and overflow options.

Globe Life Field Overflow (Lettered Lots)

Right next door to AT&T Stadium sits Globe Life Field (home of the Rangers). On Cowboys game days, these lettered lots act as a massive 12,000-space overflow zone. This is one of the best open secrets in Arlington.

If you buy in advance, these spots cost $30 to $40. If you wait until game day, dynamic pricing kicks in and surges the cost to $45 to $50. The walk is an easy 10 to 15 minutes, and you get the added bonus of covered garage options in some sections, which is a lifesaver in the August Texas sun. Just remember, these lots are completely cashless.

Motel 6 Arlington Lot (910 N Collins St)

If you want rock-bottom pricing without walking two miles, independent third-party lots are your best bet. The Motel 6 lot on North Collins Street routinely offers spaces for $13 to $15. The walking distance from private parking to AT&T Stadium here is just 0.3 to 0.7 miles (a brisk 6 to 14-minute walk). Because the price is so low, this lot fills up incredibly fast. You need to secure it early.

Looking to lock in a cheap spot before the masses arrive? You can easily book Dallas Cowboys vs Saints parking via Prked to guarantee your space and lock in a low rate.

The Two Biggest Tow Traps in Arlington

When hunting for cheap parking, out-of-town fans regularly fall into two massive traps that end up costing them hundreds of dollars.

1. The Walmart on Randol Mill Trap Directly across from the stadium sits a massive Walmart. It looks incredibly tempting. Do not even think about parking here. Walmart management hires aggressive, dedicated tow trucks that sit in the lot on game days watching for fans who park and walk toward the stadium. They actively tow non-customers instantly. Your "free" parking spot will result in a $300+ impound fee and a ruined night.

2. The Residential Flip-Sign Trap If you look for street parking near AT&T stadium Arlington TX, you will notice dozens of residential neighborhoods just blocks away. It seems like the perfect place to parallel park. You must avoid Arlington residential neighborhoods entirely.

The city uses a physical "flip-sign" system. During normal days, the street signs show standard parking rules. On game days, city workers physically flip the signs open to reveal pop-up "No Parking - Tow Away Zone" warnings. Arlington police and local tow companies patrol these neighborhoods relentlessly during Cowboys games.

Dallas Cowboys Tailgating Rules & 2026 Lot Hours

What time do parking lots open for a 7 PM Cowboys game? For the August 28 preseason game (7:00 PM kickoff), all official AT&T Stadium lots open exactly 5 hours early at 2:00 PM. Stadium gates open to fans 2 hours before kickoff at 5:00 PM.

Tailgating is a religion in Dallas, but the rules at AT&T Stadium are incredibly strict. If you plan to fire up a grill before the Saints game, you need to know exactly where you can go and what you can do.

Which AT&T Stadium lots allow tailgating? You cannot just pop a tent anywhere. Grass-area tailgating is restricted exclusively to Lots 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Can you tailgate in AT&T stadium premium lots? Yes and no. If you park in premium lots 4 through 7, you can tailgate, but only in the designated grass areas on the perimeter of the lots. You are strictly forbidden from setting up tables, chairs, or grills on the actual pavement behind your car in these premium zones.

The 9x12 Footprint Rule

Space is at an absolute premium. Stadium security strictly enforces a maximum tailgating footprint of 9 feet by 12 feet. This setup must be located on the grass directly behind your parked vehicle. You cannot sprawl out into empty parking spaces or block driveways.

Arrival and Equipment Restrictions

If you are meeting a large group of friends, you all must arrive at the exact same time. Security does not allow you to "save" spaces for late arrivals. Vehicles must arrive together to park together and tailgate together.

Leave the heavy equipment at home. Deep fryers and any open flames are strictly prohibited. Propane and charcoal grills are allowed, but you must dispose of the coals in the designated hot coal bins located throughout the tailgating lots. Do not dump them on the grass.

Game Day Traffic, Road Closures & Exit Strategies

Traffic flow and road closures near AT&T Stadium Aug 28 Getting to the stadium is annoying, but leaving the stadium is where the real nightmare begins. You need to understand how Arlington alters the traffic grid post-game to have any hope of a quick exit.

The Arlington Entertainment District relies heavily on reversible lanes and priority signaling. Streets like Collins St, Division St, Center St, and Randol Mill Rd completely change their traffic patterns at halftime to prepare for the exodus.

Road Closures to Know

Cowboys Way is entirely closed to all vehicle traffic between AT&T Way and Collins St before, during, and after the game. This is a dedicated pedestrian safety zone. You cannot use it as a cut-through under any circumstances.

How to avoid traffic at AT&T stadium Cowboys game

As mentioned earlier, avoiding the "Premium Lot Paradox" on Collins Street is step one. If you park in the northern lots, you are going to sit in gridlock.

Post-game, AT&T Way converts into a massive, 5-lane southbound-only funnel. Arlington police use this to rapidly flush 20,000+ vehicles away from the stadium footprint. If you are trying to go north to jump on I-30, getting caught in this southbound flush is infuriating.

The Pro Exit Strategy: Your best move is to park south of the stadium. When the game ends, use Division Street to escape westbound toward I-30 or eastbound toward Highway 360. Division Street moves significantly faster than the Collins Street gridlock and completely bypasses the pedestrian bottlenecks near the stadium entrances.

Uber, Lyft & Restaurant Shuttles to AT&T Stadium

If you want to skip driving entirely, or at least skip parking in the immediate stadium footprint, you have two options: rideshare or local park-and-ride shuttles.

AT&T Stadium Rideshare Drop Off

Where is the Uber drop-off for AT&T Stadium? The officially designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone for Uber and Lyft is located at the Miller LiteHouse, located off North Collins Street and Cowboys Way.

Taking an Uber to the game is relatively easy. Leaving the game in an Uber is a test of patience. Post-game surge pricing is notoriously aggressive—often spiking to triple the normal rate—and wait times frequently exceed 45 minutes as drivers struggle to penetrate the traffic perimeter to reach the Miller LiteHouse.

Restaurant Shuttles to AT&T Stadium

This is the ultimate local hack. Instead of fighting the gridlock, local businesses roughly a mile south of the stadium offer cheap park-and-ride shuttles. Because these shuttles use dedicated, police-approved routes, they bypass the massive post-game egress gridlock, getting you back to your car and onto I-30 much faster.

How much is the J Gilligan's shuttle to AT&T Stadium? J. Gilligan's Bar & Grill is the most famous shuttle option. You park at their restaurant (about a mile away), grab a burger or a beer, and hop on their shuttle van. The cost is $20 to $21 round trip per adult. They drop you off incredibly close to the stadium gates.

Hidden Fee Warning: If you are bringing a small cooler on the J. Gilligan's shuttle, they will charge you a $5 fee if that cooler takes up a physical human seat in the van. Plan to keep it on your lap to save the cash.

Another great option is Grease Monkey Burger Shop, which runs a similar shuttle operation for about $10. Both of these fill up quickly, so plan to arrive at the restaurants a few hours before kickoff.

You can also explore dedicated off-site parking lots that offer rapid walking routes by checking out the PRESEASON GAME: Dallas Cowboys v New Orleans Saints parking page.

AT&T Stadium Rules: ADA Spaces, RVs & Clear Bags

Mucking up the specialized parking rules can ruin your game day before it even begins. Here are the exact regulations you need to know for ADA access, oversized vehicles, and stadium entry.

ADA Accessible Parking Dallas Cowboys Games

Is ADA parking free at AT&T Stadium? No, ADA parking is not free. You must pre-purchase a lot-specific standard parking pass just like everyone else. When you arrive at your designated lot, you must present your valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate to the parking attendant.

ADA spots are issued strictly on a first-come, first-served basis within each lot. Buying a pass for a specific lot does not guarantee you an ADA spot if you arrive late and they are already full.

If you require a mobility assistance shuttle to get from your parking spot to the stadium gates, be aware of the strict rider limits. Stadium mobility carts only allow one (1) companion rider to accompany the ADA patron. If you have a family of four, the rest of your party will have to walk.

Can you park an RV at AT&T Stadium?

Yes, but the rules are highly specific. All RVs and oversized vehicles must park in Lot 14. The cost for RV parking is a flat $150 per day.

If you are bringing a bus, you must park in Lot 15, where prices range from $60 to $100. For both RVs and buses, an official oversized parking pass is strictly required. Standard vehicle passes will not be accepted, and you cannot park an oversized vehicle in any other lot.

Are there lockers outside AT&T Stadium for bags?

Yes, but you will pay a premium if you fail the bag check. AT&T Stadium strictly enforces the NFL Clear Bag Policy. Your bag must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12" x 6" x 12". Small clutch purses (no larger than 4.5" x 6.5") are also permitted.

If you walk all the way from your car to the gates and security rejects your bag, you have two choices: walk all the way back to your car, or rent a locker.

Locker rentals are available right outside the stadium, but they are expensive. Lockers located at Lot 5 and Lot 9 cost $20. If you walk to the lockers at Lot 8, they cost $10. Just like the parking lots, these locker rentals are 100% cashless. Save yourself the money and the headache by leaving non-compliant bags in your trunk.