IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The parking lot at Texas Stadium is going to smell a great deal better on game days this season with the return of tailgating in all areas.

Tailgating had been allowed only in the gold parking lot last year and it has been about 20 years since tailgating was allowed in all sections of the parking lot.

The Cowboys announced Tuesday that open-flame tailgating with grills will be allowed and two gates will open four hours before game time to accomodate fans who want to cook barbecue before the game.

Cowboys vice president Jerry Jones Jr. said the change in policy coincides with the team's 40th anniversary and a clamoring from fans.

"It's something we've been looking at over the past few years and working with our fans," he said. "Last year in a controlled environment, we did it with a section of our parking lot, and now we want to expand it."

Jones did not recall the incident that caused the tailgating ban in the late 1970s.

Most teams in the National Football League allow their fans to tailgate before a game. And in some cities such as Green Bay and Cleveland, it has become as much a part of the team's tradition as the games.

Jones said the team had reach an agreement with the Irving Fire Department before the ban could be lifted.

"It's something we thought we needed at Texas Stadium," Jones said. "It's been the policy at Texas Stadium since the '70s not to have open-flame tailgating, but since the Fire Department has gotten comfortable and our management team has gotten comfortable, we decided it's something we could do.

"We feel it will create excitement and enhance the experience of a game day at Texas Stadium. We want to create the best possible atmosphere that we can."

Jones said firemen will set the rules for the open flames and monitor the situation.