A new 213-seat press box was added in the stadium\u2019s southwest corner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe renovations were led by San Antonio-based architecture firm Overland Partners and the joint efforts of construction companies JE Dunn and H.J. Russell.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Overland International was established by former Overland Partners senior principals Trubey and Bob Shemwell and is independently owned and operated from Overland Partners. <\/p>\n
There was no disruption to the Cotton Bowl project, \u201ca labor of love\u201d for Oak Cliff-raised, Skyline High- and Texas A&M-educated Trubey. What does he hope Cotton Bowl fans will most notice?<\/p>\n
\u201cThree things,\u201d he said. \u201cFirst, I think the way you get into the building has changed radically. We\u2019ve replaced ramps with escalators and stairs. It\u2019s super positive, much easier to get in and get up to your seats.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecond, I think people will be really impressed with the grandeur of the space. A lot of what we\u2019ve done with the Cotton Bowl is to almost exhume it and let it be an architectural space. I think most people don\u2019t realize this is what\u2019s been hiding here behind the ramps.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd third, and really just as important, is the food and beverage and amount of restrooms are greatly increased. So all of that equals a much higher quality fan experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Club Level of the Cotton Bowl offers a shared lounge and bar space offering full-service bar, televisions and limited food offerings. The space features custom ceiling fixtures that were created just for the stadium where renovations are taking place at Fair Park in Dallas, September 17, 2025. The renovation to the west side of the stadium includes 14 escalators, reconstruction of the main concourse, two outdoor terraces, new premium suites and lounges and a new relocated writers press box.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
Funding Phases I and II is a 2% hotel occupancy tax increase Dallas voters approved in 2022. The city expects taxes to accrue $1.5 billion over 30 years, with $300 million earmarked for the Cotton Bowl and five other Fair Park venues. The remaining $1.2 billion is for the new downtown convention center.<\/p>\n
Texas\u2019 and Oklahoma\u2019s contract with Dallas stipulated that Phase I be completed before the 2026 game, but Overland Partners and the joint constructors targeted a Sept. 12 \u201csubstantial completion\u201d date.<\/p>\n
Tyler Reilly, the construction\u2019s project manager, said \u201csubstantial completion\u201d was achieved on Sept. 11. That meant only punch-list items were left, most of which will be completed before work is paused Friday for the State Fair\u2019s duration.<\/p>\n
Any punch-list items that remain will be completed starting Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city, the design team, the contractor and all parties involved, working as a collective team is what got us here,\u201d Reilly said. \u201cTo say something reared its head on a daily basis that was unforeseen is not an overexaggeration.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of that being overcome and hitting our date, everyone involved with the job should be proud of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Groundbreaking for construction occurred in March 2024. In the months leading to last year\u2019s State Fair, infrastructure was built, including the two towers that would anchor the escalators.<\/p>\n
Starting last Nov. 1, a peak of 392 construction crew members worked 24\/7 to demolish the winding concrete ramps and began work on the concession areas and restrooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a lot of pride among those 392 workers throughout the life of the job,\u201d Reilly said. \u201cA lot of that is tied back to the nature and history of the project, all the games that have been here. It\u2019s really cool to see, this community coming in to build a project for the [larger] community.\u201d <\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FQQMMA7NN5HHVF6BUHS2PY267E.jpg\")
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The Club Level has custom fabricated drink rails feature end panels designed with a pattern inspired by other original Art Deco design details that can be seen throughout Fair Park. Barstools are by Bernhardt Furniture Company and are utilized throughout other spaces within the renovated areas of the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park in Dallas, September 17, 2025. The renovation to the west side of the stadium include 14 escalators, reconstruction of the main concourse, two outdoor terraces, new premium suites and lounges and a new relocated writers press box.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
Blending modern architecture with preservation<\/p>\n
Leading The News\u2019 tour were Trubey and longtime architecture colleagues John Hutchings, Katie Miles and Chad Scheckel, now of Overland International. <\/p>\n
Hutchings and Trubey collaborations include Globe Life Field in Arlington; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Trubey\u2019s expansive resume also includes AT&T Stadium in Arlington and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles<\/p>\n
Miles is Overland International\u2019s lead interior designer. Her work includes U.S. Bank and SoFi Stadiums and, more recently, a baseball stadium and multiple basketball arenas in Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kind of make up one whole architect because we all do different things,\u201d Trubey said.<\/p>\n
The Cotton Bowl project is more akin to those on which Trubey worked during his long tenure at Dallas-based HKS Inc.: The refurbishments of Texas Stadium, Dodger Stadium (2001-07) and Chicago\u2019s Guaranteed Rate Field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis,\u201d Miles said of the Cotton Bowl, \u201chas been the most challenging thing we\u2019ve done. But it also might be the most rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the challenges was blending modern architecture and fan luxuries and conveniences into a historic stadium that has been expanded through the decades, not always for the better, aesthetically.<\/p>\n
The lower bowl was built in 1930 with a capacity of 45,507 and accented in ensuing years with Art Deco to complement the surrounding Fair Park structures that were built for Texas\u2019 1936 Centennial celebration.<\/p>\n
In 1948, a second deck was added to the Cotton Bowl\u2019s west side, increasing capacity to 67,000. A second west deck was added a year later.<\/p>\n
Major renovations in 2008 \u2014 completing the upper deck oval \u2014 expanded capacity to 92,100. However, those extra fans created nightmarish logjams in the cramped concourses.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EON3LGAHNRCFXDCLVWEACHFLHM.jpg\")
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The original Cotton Bowl logo at the main entrance has been restored as part of Cotton Bowl stadium renovations at Fair Park in Dallas, September 17, 2025. The renovation to the west side of the stadium includes 14 escalators, reconstruction of the main concourse, two outdoor terraces, new premium suites and lounges and a new relocated writers press box.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
During several junctures of The News\u2019 tour, the architects noted, \u201cThat\u2019s a 1948 wall.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of discovery here,\u201d Miles said. \u201cAs much of a revitalization as this project is, it\u2019s a little bit of a preservation.\u201d<\/p>\n
For instance, the iconic neon Cotton Bowl sign and west facade, completed in 1948, has been preserved and incorporated into the new construction, celebrated with new illumination.<\/p>\n
The logo on the corridor ground just inside the main has been restored to the original 1936 design, when Fair Park Stadium was renamed the Cotton Bowl, commemorating that year\u2019s college bowl game\u2019s debut. <\/p>\n
Most noticeable about the new main concourse is its openness. A staircase was created, branching to the left and right, creating a classic entryway resembling a piano nobile.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things I think we\u2019re most proud of is, unlike most facilities this big, it\u2019s not cluttered,\u201d Trubey said. \u201cYou walk over to the [east] side, there\u2019s stuff everywhere because it\u2019s had 75 or 80 years of additions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is as strong a public space as any of the buildings in Fair Park, in terms of scale. This one\u2019s unique because it\u2019s the stadium and it curves, but in terms of the classic ordering, I\u2019d put this up against any space in Fair Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what makes it feel like it went with the building.\u201d<\/p>\n
The overall look and feel is a blend of history and contemporary creature comforts. There are cashless grab-and-go concessions with Saveur Sans font signage, intentionally selected and used throughout the stadium to define the Cotton Bowl and Fair Park\u2019s distinct heritage.<\/p>\n
In the suites and Cub Level common areas, there are big-screen TVs and bars and modern furniture and cupholders at every seat and vintage Cotton Bowl game photos adorning walls.<\/p>\n
The photos include future Supreme Court Justice Byron \u201cWhizzer\u201d White playing in the 1938 Cotton Bowl Classic, future Hall of Famer Jim Brown playing in the 1957 Classic and future Cowboys great Troy Aikman in the 1989 Classic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kind of imagined these spaces as if we had been the designers of this exact space when it was originally built,\u201d Miles said. \u201cThis is how we feel it would look.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to make sure it was sophisticated. We wanted to make sure it\u2019s timeless, since it\u2019s an investment that\u2019s going to stand, hopefully past me existing. But also something that felt contextual.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miles said great care was taken to incorporate local materials, including Texas limestone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t want this to feel too kitschy or too Art Deco-forward but also to make sure this was an amazing investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The upper west concourse is now three times the original square footage and includes
two outdoor terraces (pictured) with views of downtown Dallas. Cotton Bowl renovations at Fair Park are nearing completion in Dallas, September 17, 2025. The renovation to the west side of the stadium includes 14 escalators, reconstruction of the main concourse, two outdoor terraces, new premium suites and lounges and a new relocated writers press box.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
A special touch in the upper level<\/p>\n
The Cotton Bowl, after all, is not only a sports and entertainment venue but also a designated historic landmark, filled with timeless moments.<\/p>\n
Legendary sportswriters of yesteryear probably wouldn\u2019t be happy to learn that the historic press box has been transformed into luxury suites \u2014 or that the new press box is near the south end zone.<\/p>\n
But they sure would be grateful to have a lot more elbow room and to have chairs that aren\u2019t bolted into concrete \u2014 and a spacious dining area.<\/p>\n
The last, but not least, stop on the tour, Trubey purposely saved as the coup de grace.<\/p>\n
In most of his stadium projects, he and his design partners have made it a point to incorporate a special touch in the upper level for everyday fans.<\/p>\n
In the Cotton Bowl\u2019s case, that resonates in the two large outdoor terraces. Yes, upper-deck fans finally have concessions and restrooms, and glorious views of the State Fair and Dallas skyline.<\/p>\n
Trubey visualizes office Christmas parties and other social gatherings occurring on those terraces for decades to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is where the whole project comes together for me,\u201d he said, gazing toward Dallas then down to the empty State Fair grounds. \u201cIsn\u2019t that spectacular? It makes you feel like you\u2019re on top of the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s so evident what can happen when cities make wise capital investments, especially in cultural venues. Really what this is is a stadium, but it\u2019s one of the quintessential 20th century stadiums in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he believes Fair Park is at a tipping point, that he hopes Phase I helps tip it in a positive direction, including Phase II, no matter who designs and constructs it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the whole city realized what an important asset Fair Park is and how unique it is nationally,\u201d he said. \u201cI think, if we continue to improve the Cotton Bowl in particular, it could really be the finest outdoor venue in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photos: A first look at the newly-renovated Cotton Bowl<\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AEEIQTIFBNAXHLLZVFGU3WY7FQ.jpg\")
View Gallery<\/p>\n
Find more college sports coverage from <\/b>The Dallas Morning News<\/b> here<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Before the big reveal, stadium architect Bryan Trubey didn\u2019t ask anyone to don blindfolds. Nor did he roll…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":238592,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5135],"tags":[5229,347,10857,97649,1596,18367,21286,62,7348,358,9662,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-238591","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-article","10":"tag-colleges","11":"tag-cotton-bowl","12":"tag-dallas","13":"tag-fair-park","14":"tag-oklahoma-sooners","15":"tag-sports","16":"tag-state-fair-of-texas","17":"tag-texas","18":"tag-texas-longhorns","19":"tag-tx","20":"tag-united-states","21":"tag-united-states-of-america","22":"tag-unitedstates","23":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","24":"tag-us","25":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115230286332949091","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238591\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/238592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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