Summer baseball in Texas used to mean sweating through nine innings. Globe Life Field changed that. The Rangers’ ballpark opened in 2020 with a retractable roof covering more than five acres. It closes in about 12 to 15 minutes, so on a 100-degree July night you can watch a game in comfort, and on a mild spring evening the roof can open to the sky.
The ballpark sits in Arlington’s Entertainment District, with AT&T Stadium across the street and Texas Live! in between. From our house it’s about 14 miles, a 20 to 25 minute drive.
Getting there from Casita
Head east toward Arlington. The ballpark is just off the main roads into the Entertainment District, and you’ll see its big arched roof as you get close. Parking lots surround it. The closest ones charge more on game days, and the Rangers sell parking in advance, which is worth doing on weekends.
A rideshare is an easy option too. The trip from the house is short, and you skip the line of cars leaving the lots after the last out.
Plan your visit
The Rangers’ bag rule is a little more relaxed than the NFL’s next door: bags up to 16 by 16 by 8 inches are fine, but backpacks and coolers aren’t. You can bring snacks in a sealed, clear quart-size bag, plus one sealed water bottle under a liter, which helps with kids.
On days without a game, the ballpark runs guided tours, and tour guests can usually park free in Lot B. Check the tour page for current times and bag rules, since they differ from game days.
Eat and drink nearby
Texas Live! is the natural place to start. It’s a 200,000-square-foot complex with Troy’s, Lockhart Smokehouse barbecue, Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint and Sports and Social. PBR Texas adds live music and a mechanical bull for the brave, and the Live! Arena’s huge screen shows the game for anyone who didn’t get tickets. The Live! by Loews hotel is attached if friends are joining you from out of town.
Make a weekend of it
If the Cowboys are home the same weekend, AT&T Stadium is a short walk away. With kids, Six Flags Over Texas is just down the road. For a slower day, try the Fort Worth Zoo or a morning walk at Lake Arlington near the house.
After the game, come home to a quiet street and your own kitchen. Check our dates for the series you have in mind.
Tips from the house
- Bags must be 16 by 16 by 8 inches or smaller, and backpacks aren't allowed. Check the Rangers' A to Z guide before you go.
- You can bring food in a sealed, clear quart-size bag and one sealed water bottle under a liter.
- Book parking ahead for weekend games. The lots closest to the ballpark sell out first.
- Get to Texas Live! early on game days. It fills up quickly in the hour before first pitch.
Good to know
Does Globe Life Field have air conditioning?
Yes. Globe Life Field has a retractable roof, so games are usually played with the roof closed and the air on during the Texas summer.
What is the bag policy at Globe Life Field?
Bags must be no larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches. Backpacks and coolers of any kind aren't allowed. Medical bags and diaper bags are exempt. Rules can change, so check the Rangers' ballpark guide first.
What is Texas Live!?
A dining and entertainment complex between Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, with restaurants, bars and a large screen for watch parties. The Live! by Loews hotel is attached.
How far is Globe Life Field from Fort Worth?
From our home in southeast Fort Worth it's about 14 miles, usually 20 to 25 minutes by car.
Photo: slgckgc, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
