The Star in Frisco stands as one of the most ambitious sports headquarters developments in the United States. Situated at 1 Cowboys Way along the Dallas North Tollway, this 91-acre master-planned campus serves as the global corporate headquarters and primary training complex of the Dallas Cowboys. Rather than walling itself off behind security gates, the facility blends professional athletics with public open spaces, boutique shopping, and celebrated North Texas dining.
Key takeaways
- The Star in Frisco is a 91-acre mixed-use development housing the world corporate headquarters and training facility of the Dallas Cowboys.
- Guided 75-minute behind-the-scenes headquarters tours visit the Super Bowl Station, War Room, and practice facilities starting around $45 to $50.
- Tostitos Championship Plaza and the Ring of Honor Walk are completely free and open to the public daily outside private ticketed events.
- The Star District features more than 20 restaurants, cafes, and cocktail lounges ranging from Dee Lincoln Prime to casual Tex-Mex and pizzerias.
- Covered self-parking in the Blue and Silver parking garages is complimentary on standard non-event days for shopping and dining visitors.
Plan your visit
Verified
- Location
- 1 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034
- Hours
- Plaza open daily 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM; district dining hours vary
- Admission
- Plaza and parking free; guided headquarters tours from $45
- Best time to go
- Late afternoon for outdoor turf play followed by dinner
Overview and Campus Layout of The Star in Frisco
The Star in Frisco is a 91-acre sports and entertainment campus located at 1 Cowboys Way in Frisco, Texas. It serves as the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, featuring a 12,000-seat stadium, luxury hotel, and dining district.
The development represents a forward-thinking blueprint for modern athletic complexes. Instead of building an isolated practice bubble in a remote suburban office park, team ownership partnered with local civic leaders to create a walkable entertainment destination where visitors can spend an entire afternoon or evening.
Families can bring children to run on the outdoor artificial turf, football enthusiasts can take guided tours inside the active team training facility, and food lovers can sample regional Texas flavors across dozens of surrounding patios.
| Campus Component | Physical Dimension | Visitor Function |
|---|---|---|
| Total Campus Footprint | 91 Acres | Master mixed-use sports and entertainment district |
| Ford Center Stadium | 12,000 Indoor Seats | Multi-use indoor facility for Cowboys training and Frisco ISD football |
| Tostitos Championship Plaza | 50-Yard Outdoor Turf | Free public recreational lawn with 2,270-square-foot video screen |
| The Star District | 20+ Restaurants & Retailers | Walkable dining, boutique fashion, and beverage promenades |
| Omni Frisco Hotel | 16 Stories / 300 Rooms | Luxury accommodations with rooftop pool deck overlooking the plaza |
| Covered Parking Garages | 4 Multi-Level Structures | Complimentary self-parking in Blue and Silver garages on non-event days |
A Unique Civic and Professional Sports Partnership
The foundational engine behind The Star is a public-private partnership between the City of Frisco, the Frisco Independent School District (Frisco ISD), and the Dallas Cowboys organization. Under this landmark agreement, the indoor stadium facility serves both an elite professional NFL franchise and twelve local public high schools.
On autumn Thursday and Friday evenings, local high school marching bands and varsity football squads compete on the same turf where NFL stars practice during the week. This civic collaboration earned Frisco national recognition as “Sports City USA” and established a community-first atmosphere rare in professional sports.
Parents organizing a family trip to Collin County can easily combine an afternoon at The Star with attractions covered in our best things to do in Frisco TX with kids guide.
Districts Across the 91-Acre Footprint
The property divides cleanly into three functional sectors: the athletic training quadrant, the hospitality core, and The Star District retail district. The western edge is anchored by the Cowboys corporate offices and private practice fields, separated from public areas by clean architectural glass lines and security corridors.
The central hub houses the Ford Center and the outdoor championship plaza, creating an open pedestrian mall connecting the athletic venues to the dining streetscapes. The eastern sector borders Cowboys Way and Dallas Parkway, offering pedestrian plazas with stone benches, native Texas tree canopies, and outdoor restaurant patios.
Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters Guided Tour Experiences
Guided tours of The Star take visitors behind the scenes of the Dallas Cowboys training complex, including the draft War Room, Super Bowl trophy display, and Ford Center. Standard 75-minute tours start at $45 to $50.
Taking a guided walking tour is the only way for the public to enter the secure team operations wing. Tours depart regularly throughout the day from the tour lobby inside the Ford Center ticket office, led by knowledgeable team docents steeped in franchise lore.
| Tour Experience | Length | Key Highlights | Typical Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Guided Tour | 75 Minutes | War Room, Super Bowl station, Nike Star Court, Ford Center | $45 – $50 General Admission |
| Owner’s Experience Tour | 90 Minutes | Guided tour plus interactive AI Jerry Jones hologram conversation | $75 – $85 per guest |
| Ultimate Fan Experience | 75 Minutes | Guided tour bundled with exclusive Cowboys merchandise package | $95 – $110 per guest |
| Group Educational Tours | 60 Minutes | Tailored for school groups focusing on sports business and design | Custom pricing upon inquiry |
Standard Guided Tour Highlights: War Room and Super Bowl Station
The standard guided tour begins at the Grand Atrium, a dramatic light-filled lobby featuring custom kinetic artwork and lighting displays that pulse to simulate quarterback cadences. From there, guests proceed into the team’s official NFL Draft Day War Room.
Inside the War Room, visitors view the massive interactive digital wall displays and leather executive seating where team owner Jerry Jones, front office executives, and coaching staff execute college draft picks each spring. Docents detail draft history, scouting operations, and famous trade negotiations that shaped the roster.
The tour continues past the Super Bowl Station, showcasing the franchise’s five Vince Lombardi Trophies and detailed diamond-encrusted championship rings. Visitors also walk along the Nike Star Court, an indoor basketball and conditioning court used for team agility testing and player recreation.
VIP and Owner’s Interactive Hologram Experiences
For fans wanting deeper personal engagement, the Owner’s Experience tour includes an interactive session inside a private theater. Guests interact with an artificial-intelligence-driven holographic projection of Jerry Jones, asking questions about his purchase of the team in 1989, stadium architectural choices, and historic coaching hires.
The computer vision system draws from hundreds of recorded interviews to deliver real-time, personalized conversational responses. Tickets for these specialized tours should be reserved several days in advance through The Star in Frisco Official Portal.
Comparing The Star Tours with AT&T Stadium in Arlington
Sports travelers frequently ask whether to tour The Star in Frisco or the team’s game-day arena in Arlington. While our dedicated breakdown of AT&T Stadium tours and Rally Days reveals the jaw-dropping scale of an 80,000-seat stadium, center-hung videoboards, and massive locker rooms, The Star provides a more intimate look at the daily workplace and training environment of current players.
Serious football enthusiasts often complete both during a regional holiday to appreciate the full scope of franchise operations across North Texas.
Free Public Attractions: Tostitos Championship Plaza and Ring of Honor
Visitors can access Tostitos Championship Plaza and the outdoor 50-yard turf field for free seven days a week outside special events. Children can run drills while families stroll the Ring of Honor Walk.
You do not need to purchase a tour ticket or make dining reservations to enjoy the outdoor grounds. The open design welcomes community members to treat the plaza as an open-air neighborhood park.
Tostitos Championship Plaza Turf and Giant Video Board
The physical centerpiece of the public plaza is a 50-yard regulation artificial turf football field, complete with hash marks, end zone markers, and outdoor field goal uprights. On pleasant afternoons, dozens of children sprint across the turf, running passing routes and kicking field goals while parents watch from perimeter stone seating walls.
Overlooking the field is a colossal 2,270-square-foot high-definition LED video display mounted to the exterior facade of the Ford Center. The screen broadcasts major sporting events, Texas Rangers baseball games, Cowboys road matches, and evening family movies during summer and holiday festivals.
Tip
Pack a soft leather football and comfortable athletic sneakers when visiting with children. While cleats are strictly prohibited on the turf, sneakers and casual play are encouraged throughout daylight hours.
Walking the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
Surrounding the turf perimeter is the Ring of Honor Walk, an outdoor tribute immortalizing legendary players, coaches, and contributors who defined the franchise. Inlaid bronze plaques and etched stone markers celebrate icons including Roger Staubach, Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin.
Each marker details career milestones, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction years, and signature game memories. It functions as an open-air history exhibit that allows parents to share sports memories with younger generations.
Community Movie Nights and Game Watch Parties
Throughout the spring, summer, and autumn months, The Star District hosts an active schedule of free outdoor events. Friday evening family movie nights draw hundreds of local residents with lawn blankets and picnic takeout from nearby restaurants.
During Dallas Cowboys away games, the plaza transforms into the official regional watch party hub, featuring live DJ performances, mascot appearances, Cowboys cheerleaders, and interactive youth football games.
Dining and Nightlife Across The Star Entertainment District
The Star District features more than 20 restaurants, cafes, and lounges lining pedestrian walkways. Offerings span high-end prime steakhouses, Neapolitan pizzerias, Southern comfort food, and open-air cocktail terraces.
Dining at The Star caters to everything from a quick pre-tour lunch to an upscale anniversary dinner. Wide pedestrian sidewalks and spacious outdoor patios ensure that open-air dining is a central part of the experience.
| Restaurant Name | Dining Category | Price Range | Signature Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dee Lincoln Prime | Fine Dining Steakhouse | $$$$ | Prime dry-aged steaks, sushi bar, and global wine list |
| Lombardi Cucina Italiana | Upscale Italian | $$$$ | Handcrafted pastas, whole branzino, and olive tree dining room |
| Cane Rosso | Casual Wood-Fired Pizza | $$ | Certified Neapolitan pizzas with wood-fired blistered crusts |
| Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen | Scratch Southern Comfort | $$ | Fluffy buttermilk biscuits, honey-dusted fried chicken, craft cocktails |
| Mi Cocina | Elevated Tex-Mex | $$ | Sunset fajitas, queso blanco, and signature Mambo Taxi frozen margaritas |
| Sidecar Social | Entertainment Lounge & Sports | $$ | Giant screens, classic bar games, craft drafts, and live music stage |
| Ascension Coffee | Specialty Cafe & Bakery | $ | Single-origin pour-overs, cold brew, avocado toasts, and paninis |
Upscale Steakhouses and Italian Fine Dining
For celebratory dinners and upscale dining, Dee Lincoln Prime serves as the district’s culinary centerpiece. The restaurant features prime cuts aged in-house, an expansive fresh sushi bar, and an award-winning cellar curated with rare California cabernets and vintage champagnes.
Lombardi Cucina Italiana offers a romantic European setting decorated with living olive trees and Venetian chandeliers. The kitchen specializes in handmade pasta dishes like agnolotti filled with braised short rib and tableside cacio e pepe tossed inside an authentic parmesan wheel.
Casual Family Eateries, Pizza, and Tacos
Families visiting with young children gravitate toward casual concepts along Winning Drive. Cane Rosso crafts authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas baked in ninety seconds inside 900-degree imported ovens, along with house-made mozzarella and Italian chopped salads.
Mi Cocina provides dependable Tex-Mex comfort on an energetic two-level patio overlooking the plaza fountains. Parents can unwind with the famous Mambo Taxi frozen cocktail while kids enjoy mild chicken quesadillas and warm tortilla chips.
For breakfast or mid-afternoon espresso pick-me-ups, Ascension Coffee roasts high-grade beans and bakes daily morning pastries, providing laptop-friendly counter seating and outdoor sidewalk tables.
Patio Bars, Lounges, and Live Music Venues
As evening approaches, The Star District turns into an energetic social corridor for young professionals and sports fans. Sidecar Social delivers an adult playground spanning 20,000 square feet with ping-pong tables, bocce ball lanes, retro dartboards, and massive stadium-sized video screens.
Concrete Cowboy and Snowbird Cocktail Lounge offer elevated mixology programs, curated small plates, and weekend DJ sets that keep patios lively well past midnight.
Ford Center Events, High School Football, and Live Entertainment
The Ford Center at The Star is a 12,000-seat climate-controlled indoor stadium that hosts Dallas Cowboys training camps, Frisco ISD high school football games, gymnastics competitions, and concerts.
The indoor arena bridges high school sports with the professional stadium experience. Designed with state-of-the-art turf, professional broadcast suites, and full concourse amenities, it is widely regarded as one of the finest high school athletic facilities in the world.
Friday Night Lights: Frisco ISD High School Games
During the autumn football season, the Ford Center hosts Frisco ISD high school quadruple-headers on Thursday and Friday nights. Fans can purchase affordable tickets to watch top-ranked Texas high school football teams compete inside the climate-controlled stadium.
Official scheduling, ticket links, and facility details are managed through the City of Frisco Ford Center Facility Portal. Attending one of these games provides visitors with an authentic taste of Texas high school football culture without enduring sweltering late-summer heat.
Cowboys Training Camp Practices and Fan Rallies
Each August, following initial training camp sessions in Oxnard, California, the Cowboys return home to The Star to hold open practices for the public. These sessions allow fans to watch starting players run 11-on-11 scrimmages and red-zone drills from lower-bowl stadium seats.
Tickets for open training camp practices are typically complimentary or nominal in cost but require advance online digital registration due to high regional demand. Fan rallies on Championship Plaza accompany the practices with live band performances and player autograph sessions.
For families traveling with younger children, pairing a visit here with new family attractions like Universal Kids Resort in Frisco creates an unforgettable multi-day sports and theme park vacation.
Visitor Logistics: Parking Garages, Bag Policies, and Hotel Stays
The Star offers free covered parking in the Blue and Silver parking garages during standard days. Event-day parking rates apply during major concerts and football games; strict clear bag policies apply inside the Ford Center.
Visiting the 91-acre development is straightforward once you understand basic traffic patterns and parking deck locations off Dallas Parkway and Warren Parkway.
Parking Garage Locations and Non-Event Free Parking
The property includes two primary multi-level parking decks that serve general visitors:
Note
The Star Parking Deck Directory:
- Blue Garage: Located on the south side off Winning Drive; best for The Star District restaurants and plaza access.
- Silver Garage: Located on the east side off Gaylord Parkway; best for tour check-in, Omni Hotel, and Ford Center gates.
- Gridiron Surface Lot: Surface parking situated north of the practice fields, used primarily for overflow on busy weekends.
On typical days when no major ticketed event is scheduled inside the Ford Center, self-parking inside both the Blue and Silver garages is completely free of charge. During major Frisco ISD playoff games, concerts, or Cowboys rallies, garages convert to paid event parking ranging from $15 to $30 per vehicle.
For regional sports tourism guides and city transit recommendations, visitors can check the Visit Frisco Sports Tourism directory.
Clear Bag Rules and Security Checkpoints
Visitors taking guided headquarters tours or attending events inside the Ford Center must pass through metal detectors and comply with standard NFL stadium security regulations:
Important
Ford Center Bag Policy Guidelines:
- Approved Clear Bags: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC that do not exceed 12 by 6 by 12 inches.
- Small Clutch Bags: Non-clear small clutches or wristlets approximately the size of a hand (not exceeding 4.5 by 6.5 inches).
- Prohibited Bags: Backpacks, diaper bags with multiple pockets, camera cases, and oversized purses are strictly prohibited inside the indoor stadium.
- Note: Diaper necessities must be carried inside an approved clear plastic tote bag.
Staying at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star
Travelers wanting a full luxury stay can book rooms at the 16-story Omni Frisco Hotel, positioned directly on the edge of Championship Plaza. The hotel features 300 guest rooms, bespoke Texas leather decor, and the acclaimed Neighborhood Services restaurant in the ground-floor lobby.
The hotel’s fourth-floor Edge Pool Deck offers a heated infinity pool, private cabana rentals, and craft cocktail service overlooking the turf field below. Guests can watch plaza events and evening football drills directly from their poolside loungers.
Visitors exploring neighboring Collin County communities can also discover historic square dining and boutique shopping in our guide to the best things to do in McKinney located just 15 minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Star in Frisco
Can you visit The Star in Frisco for free?
Yes, walking through The Star District, exploring the Ring of Honor Walk, and playing on the turf at Tostitos Championship Plaza is free to the public daily outside ticketed private events. Paid admission is only required for interior guided tours of the Cowboys headquarters or ticketed events inside the Ford Center.
How much does a Dallas Cowboys headquarters tour cost?
Standard 75-minute guided tours of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters start at approximately $45 to $50 per person with discounts for seniors and children under twelve. Premium packages such as the Owner’s Experience or Ultimate Fan Experience cost between $75 and $110 per guest.
Where is the best place to park on campus?
The covered Blue and Silver parking garages offer convenient self-parking directly adjacent to the plaza and restaurants. Parking in both garages is completely free for general retail and dining patrons on standard non-event days.
What is the bag policy inside the Ford Center at The Star?
The Ford Center enforces the standard NFL clear bag policy for stadium events and guided tours. Approved bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC not exceeding 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches.
Can children bring their own footballs to play on the turf plaza?
Yes, kids and families are welcome to bring their own footballs and play catch on the 50-yard outdoor turf field at Tostitos Championship Plaza during normal operating hours. Cleated athletic shoes and organized team scrimmages are prohibited to protect the turf and casual visitors.
What restaurants are located across The Star District?
The Star District features more than 20 dining options including Dee Lincoln Prime, Lombardi Cucina Italiana, Cane Rosso, Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen, and Mi Cocina. Visitors will also find casual cafes, specialty bakeries, and sports lounges.
Can you watch the Dallas Cowboys practice at The Star?
The Dallas Cowboys hold select open training camp practices and fan rallies at the Ford Center each August with free or low-cost public tickets released via team announcements. Regular in-season team practices are closed to the general public to protect tactical preparations.
