AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, is a large multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue that hosts professional football games, concerts, and other major public events. Because the stadium must support widely varying event types, occupancy levels, and operational demands, it requires a highly coordinated and responsive approach to building operations.
Its LEED® v4.1 O+M: Existing Buildings Gold certification reflects a strong commitment to operational performance, indoor environmental quality, and efficient facility management at a very large scale. Rather than treating sustainability as a separate feature, the certification demonstrates how high-performing operations help support the stadium’s core function and overall occupant experience.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
• Rating system: LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Buildings
• Certification level, point total, certification date: GOLD (70 points) certified 03/18/2026
• Gross floor area: 3,000,000 square feet
• Construction type: Sports and Entertainment Stadium
A key aspect of the project is the stadium’s ability to maintain performance, comfort, and reliability within a highly dynamic environment. Unlike conventional buildings with more predictable schedules, AT&T Stadium must respond to major fluctuations in occupancy, space use, and environmental conditions throughout the year. To do this, the facility uses advanced building automation, controls, and monitoring systems that allow conditions to be adjusted in real time.
These systems track and manage factors such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2), TVOC levels, lighting conditions, airflow, fan operation, filter status, alarms, and fault conditions. Building automation and operational protocols help manage equipment scheduling, transitions between event and non-event modes, automated start/stop sequences, indoor environmental quality monitoring, and demand-based ventilation strategies. CO2 monitoring in densely occupied or regularly used spaces further supports ventilation adjustments based on real-time occupancy needs. Together, these systems help maintain appropriate conditions for athletes, performers, staff, and guests while also supporting proactive maintenance and efficient operations.
Overall, AT&T Stadium’s LEED Gold certification demonstrates how disciplined facility management, responsive building systems, and operational efficiency can support both environmental performance and venue functionality. It reflects a practical, performance-based approach to sustainability that helps reduce operational burden while supporting a high-quality experience for large public events.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Robyn Vettraino, VCA Green Principal and Lead Project Manager for the AT&T Stadium project
Image Credit: AT&T Stadium