Police: Party Pass Problems and a Few Arrests

Fans angered because of delayed gate opening

Arlington police stationed at Cowboys Stadium were forced to shut doors and gates for a time before kickoff on Sunday night.

About 30 minutes before the game started, thousands of fans were shut out of the stadium. Arlington Police tell NBCDFW.COM, it was because too many people were on the mezzanine and they had to keep people out until the mezzanine thinned out.

Thousands of angry ticket holders didn't understand what was going on and thought the game was oversold. Many started banging on the glass and yelling at police to let them inside.
 
Near the entrance to the party deck, the gates were bottle-necked, and some people were pressed together. Guards were frantically trying to hand out yellow wristbands to people who paid for party deck tickets.

Eventually, police opened the gates and doors, allowing a flood of people into the stadium.

A NFL record 105,121 fans were in attendance for the Cowboys home opener.

UPDATE: Arlington police report 37 arrests connected to the stadium. Here's the breakdown from APD:

  • 30 - Public Intoxication Only
  • 2 - Public Intoxication/Assault
  • 1 - Public Intoxication/Marijuana
  • 1 - Public Intoxication/Resisting Arrest
  • 1 - Public Intoxication/Evading Arrest
  • 1 - DWI
  • 1 - Assault
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