Inside the AT&T Stadium: 'Pink pitch' and giant screen that can interfere with the ball

[p]The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable franchise in the world, worth around 13 billion dollars. Not only that, but they are also the sports club that generates the highest revenue globally. This is also thanks to the futuristic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which is, in fact, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.[/p][p]This venue has become one of the most attractive of the World Cup over the past month and a half. Not surprisingly, by the end of the tournament, it will be the most used stadium of the entire competition, hosting as many as 9 matches.[/p][p]Today it will be the turn of world champions Argentina. Scaloni's team, in their last group match, will face Jordan, a team already eliminated.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a] and his teammates have already had the chance to admire what many have called one of the most beautiful sports venues in the world, with a capacity of 80,000 spectators, expandable up to 100,000. But other features and curiosities make this stadium truly unique.[/p][p]Since it is a stadium adapted for soccer, the usual playing surface, where the Cowboys play their games, is made of state-of-the-art artificial turf.[/p][image alt="The turf of the AT&T Stadium" id="993e34e1-aa41-4da6-9fbd-f40ac66899a9" credit-line="Photo by MARK FELIX / AFP" guid="6e05febc-b0dc-40f3-96b6-c9295354244d" original-width="6839" original-height="4559" /][p]For the World Cup, a temporary natural grass pitch was installed, which needs special support to "live": lamps that heat the grass and create a visual effect that makes the turf appear pink. This is not a new FIFA invention, nor a scenic effect wanted by the organisers, nor a gimmick by the Dallas Cowboys.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /][h2]Retractable roof and giant screen[/h2][p]But why is this necessary? The need arises from another unique feature of this venue. The AT&T Stadium is equipped with a retractable roof that can open and close in about twelve minutes, which means that natural light is not always sufficient to ensure optimal conditions for maintaining the grass.[/p][image alt="AT&T Stadium" id="9356def6-dd6b-41ad-bf83-250c6e35b0a4" credit-line="MARK FELIX / AFP" guid="1a2a4f90-76c7-4660-bcff-b8b8b49cb4ea" original-width="5464" original-height="3640" /][p]Hence the use of artificial lighting, which gives the pitch its distinctive pink colour. This is just one of the many curiosities that make this venue one of the most iconic in the United States.[/p][p]Another unique feature of the venue is the gigantic screen suspended above the pitch. With a total surface area of over a thousand square meters, it is among the largest ever installed inside a stadium and completely dominates the spectators' view.[/p][image alt="The giant screen of the AT&T Stadium" id="4a8c16fc-45f4-4c93-9f4e-fcd1dcfd350e" credit-line="JOSE BRETON / SPAIN DPPI / DPPI VIA AFP" guid="84d27b2c-fb83-469e-847c-9120d4c04062" original-width="4500" original-height="3000" /][p]Its size even led to one of the most curious episodes in NFL history. During a Dallas Cowboys game, the ball accidentally hit the suspended screen, forcing the referees to replay the action according to the rules.[/p][p]This episode has become, over the years, one of the symbols of the AT&T Stadium, a venue where even the most unusual details help make it a true icon of American sports.[/p]