Dallas Cowboys
America's Team
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, and has played its home games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since its opening in 2009. The stadium took its current name prior to the 2013 season, following the team's decision to sell the stadium's naming rights to telecommunications company AT&T.
Quick Facts
- Division
- NFC East
- First meeting year
- 1960
- Status
- Active Rivalry
- Primary stadiums
- MetLife Stadium, AT&T Stadium
- Notable eras
- 1980s, 2007-2011
Lore & Background
The Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. The team's national following might best be represented by its NFL record of consecutive sellouts. The Cowboys' streak of 190 consecutive sold out regular and postseason games (home and away) began in 2002. The franchise has made it to the Super Bowl eight times, tying it with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers for second-most Super Bowl appearances in history behind the New England Patriots' record 11 appearances. Their eight NFC championships are tied for most in the conference's history. The Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons (from 1966 to 1985) during which they missed the playoffs only twice (1974 and 1984).
Reader's Guide
In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys became the first sports team to be valued at $4 billion, making it the most valuable sports team in the world, according to Forbes. In 2016, the Cowboys also became the most valuable sports team at $4 billion, a record they have held since by also being the first sports team to reach a worth of $10 billion dollars. As of late 2025, the Cowboys are valued at about $13 billion. The Cowboys also generated $620 million in revenue in 2014, a record for a U.S. sports team. In 2018, they also became the first NFL franchise to be valued at $5 billion and making Forbes' list as the most valued NFL team for the 12th straight year.
Historical Trajectory and Divisional Dynamics
The Cowboys–Giants rivalry, established in 1960 when Dallas joined the NFL's Eastern Division, represents a unique geographical anomaly where no other Texas team shares a division with a New York franchise. Initially dominated by the Giants, the balance of power shifted dramatically as the Giants entered a prolonged playoff drought from 1964 to 1980. During this era, particularly throughout the 1970s, Dallas seized control, winning seventeen of twenty meetings against their rivals. The dynamic reversed in the 1980s when New York struck back, leading to a more evenly matched contest that has persisted with intermittent dominance swings through the decades. While the Giants held an advantage during the 2000s and early 2010s, recent history has favored Dallas significantly; since 2013, the Cowboys have won twenty of the last twenty-six matchups. Despite this overall series lead of 78–48–2 for Dallas, the two teams have met only once in the playoffs, a singular postseason encounter where the Giants secured a perfect 1–0 record against their divisional foe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Dallas Cowboys in relation to the Giants?
They serve as the Giants' primary divisional rivals within the NFC East since joining the league in 1960. This matchup is frequently referred to as the Battle for the Big Apple due to its historical intensity.
When did the rivalry between these teams begin?
The first meeting occurred in 1960 when Dallas officially entered the NFL. Their competition has remained an active fixture on the schedule ever since that initial season.
Where are games played during this matchup?
Contests take place at MetLife Stadium near New York and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. These locations serve as the primary battlegrounds for their annual divisional contests.
Which time periods define the rivalry most strongly?
The 1980s and the years between 2007 and 2011 are considered the most notable eras of competition. These decades produced legendary moments that fueled deep fan passion across both regions.
Why does this feud matter to Giants fans?
It represents a clash of titans from the NFL's Eastern Conference that defines American football's greatest regional feud. Victories against Dallas often hold extra weight for securing division titles and playoff positioning.
More in Feuds & Rivalries
Elsewhere in New York Giants
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced