Check out our comprehensive guide to Globe Life Field, the home of 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers – written by a Rangers season ticket holding family. As avid baseball travelers, we’ve seen the good and bad in different ballparks. However, the air-conditioned new home of the Rangers is a winner – even if it lacks some of the charm of the old ballpark, which still stands across the street.
We’ve now been to a several games there, sitting in a variety of sections. Please read our Globe Life Field seating recommendations, and let us know if you have any other recommendations yourself.
Globe Life Field Bag and Outside Food/Drink Policy
The bag and “bring-in” policy at Globe Life Field, like at many other stadiums, has changed and is subject to further change as a result of the pandemic.
- Soft-sided bags are now allowed in, but must be no larger than 16″ x 16″ x 8″. Backpacks are prohibited, except single compartment drawstring bags. (medical bags and manufactured diaper bags are okay if you have children with you)
- Fans are allowed to bring in one sealed 1 Liter (or smaller) plastic bottle of unflavored water – per ticket.
- Fans can also bring in one sealed, gallon-sized or smaller bag of food – per ticket.
Tailgating/Pre-gaming
Tailgating is USUALLY allowed in most of the parking lots around Globe Life Field, (although it was not during 2021). Private lots are available on the East side of the stadium, and operate under their own tailgate rules.
The tailgate scene on Opening Day is ranges between “active” and raucous…similar to Dallas Cowboys games. The celebration begins up to 7 hours before game time in the lots at Six Flags and businesses in the area. The private lots around Globe Life Field have some of the best tailgating spots, with grass and shade.
Texas Live! has now become the epicenter for the pre-game party for most games these days. Located just beyond the left field gate, the structure houses nearly a dozen restaurants and several more drink stands. Live music, big screens, giant Jenga, and locally-inspired foods (BBQ and Tex-Mex) flow seamlessly inside and out. Be sure to check out the Baseballism store while there for some unique baseball-themed apparel and gifts.
If you’re looking for Texas BBQ (and if you’re not, you should be!), Lockhart Smokehouse serves some of the best in the Metroplex. Get in line, choose your meat (like brisket, chicken, or sausage) and quantity (sold by the 1/4 lb), and watch them slice/dice it up in front of you. Of course, you’ll need something to wash that deliciousness down with. There are 2 full-service bars inside the restaurant to make sure your needs are met – as well as fountain drinks available at the meat counter.
Eats at Globe Life Field
Like most other teams, each season brings along new food options at the ballpark – it’s almost a sport within itself.
Check out the 24 inch hot-dog, the “BoomStick”, on the main concourse in right-center field, behind section 133. Also in that area, you’ll find a “Pluckers Wing Bar”, a favorite in Texas for chicken wings, as evidenced by the long line.
New in 2023, Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ joint Hurtado Barbecue has a stand near section 101, along the left field line. Originating in Arlington, this is some of the best BBQ in Texas. Their birria tacos are to die for. Definitely worth getting to the ballgame early for – and I recommend you do get there early because the line is typically long, and you don’t want to risk missing out on their brisket – or any of their meats or sides for that matter.
Best Seats at Globe Life Field
We’ve been to the Texas Rangers new stadium several times now, and found the best seats to be the First Base Club sections 15-20, right by the Rangers dugout. Not only do these padded seats offer a great view of the game, they also provide access to exclusive areas of the stadium, including the Stub Hub club, with included food and beverages – including craft beer and wine. These seats are sold out through the Rangers, however, tickets were available on the secondary market. The largest selection is on StubHub, but the all-in price of tickets (after fees, taxes, and other add-ons) tends to be lowest at Ticket Network and Vivid Seats.
Another great, more affordable option is Infield Mezzanine (Sections 107-122). Many of these seats are padded as well, and the view from here – especially around home plate – is spectacular. For other options, be sure to check out our Globe Life Field Seating chart.
Please read our Best Seats for Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field article for more pictures, and additional information and recommendations.
Getting Autographs at Texas Rangers New Stadium
Ranger autographs: Getting autographs from Ranger players is much more difficult in the new stadium. First, access to the field level seats is restricted to those with tickets within that level (sections 1-26). Next, if you’re able to get down there, you’ll find that netting spans the lower deck from foul pole to foul pole (section 1 to section 26). If that wasn’t enough, there are field-level suites and 1st/3rd base clubs, which serve as a moat between you and players…making it difficult/impossible to get autographs from the players after warmups.
Visitors autographs: While netting will protect the sections around the visitors dugout, there are 2 sections that sit right above the bullpen – sections 27 and 28 – see seating chart. While you’re elevated from the players in the bullpen, some may be willing to sign a baseball and toss it up. Also, players are less likely to sign autographs once the game starts (they’re technically not allowed).
Getting to Globe Life Field
The DFW area is one of the more sprawled out areas in the United States. DFW airport, as well as Globe Life Field and the Arlington Entertainment Complex sit between downtown Dallas and downtown Ft. Worth. Due to a lack of good public transit, renting a car or Uber-ing will be necessary.
Getting from DFW airport to the stadium isn’t difficult, but public transportation is not available. The stadium is 10-20 minutes south of DFW airport. If you plan to spend your time in the area around the stadium, an Uber makes the most sense. If you’re flying into Love Field or plan on exploring other parts of the Metroplex (see attractions below) then renting a car makes more sense. Most hotels (other than Live! by Loews) offer free parking.
Globe Life Field Guide to Parking
There is plenty of parking onsite, directly through the Rangers, as well as private lots in the vicinity. You can save a few bucks by walking a few extra blocks and booking parking online before heading into Globe Life Field. The lots operated by the Rangers are typically reasonably priced ($30 and under). However, sometimes game-day drive-up parking is not available at those closest to the stadium and Texas Live! (lot B and lot J) – advance passes are required (they can be bought on StubHub or the Texas Rangers site).
Hotels Near Texas Rangers New Stadium
There are a number of hotels in the area surrounding the Rangers new stadium, including Live! by Loews, which is nearly attached to Globe Life Field and opened in 2019. The city of Arlington operates a few trolley routes, which make some more affordable options easily accessible to the stadium. aLoft is our favorite among these, and is also relatively new. Be sure to read our full coverage on hotels options around Globe Life Field.
Beers at Globe Life Field
Not a complete strikeout, but definitely behind in the count: The beer list at Globe Life Field consists of 40-50 offerings…but most of them are uninspired “macro-brews”, many from the Budweiser family. It’s a missed opportunity to showcase some of the great beers of north Texas.
Among the local breweries represented at the Rangers new stadium are 4 Corners (from Dallas). Other Texas offerings include Shiner Bock (from the town of Shiner) and Karbach (from rival-town Houston, of all places). Ziegenbock is brewed by Anheuser-Busch and distributed only in Texas and vicinity, and branded as a “Texas beer”…so take that for what it’s worth. The distributor will also mix in a rotating beer from time to time – no telling what that will be.
Of those listed, the Four Corners Local Buzz and Rahr Blonde rank among our favorites.
Rangers themed beers: Although not from the DFW area, Karbach has brewed a Globe Life Field-themed beer called Sky Porch Ale, which is a strawberry blonde with notes of honey and lemongrass.
Breweries in Arlington Texas
Beer and Baseball. To many of us, the two go hand-in-hand. No Globe Life Field visitor’s guide could be complete without a discussion on the micro-breweries in the area around the Rangers new stadium!
There are 3 craft breweries located in Arlington, Texas, with over 50 others located throughout the DFW Metroplex. In downtown Arlington, less than a 5 minute drive from Globe Life Field, you’ll find both Division Brewing, and an outlet for Bishop Cider, Cidercade.
Division Brewing – Arlington’s First
Division Brewing is Arlington’s first locally owned and operated brewery, and is known for quality, creativity, and variety. They usually have 15-20 beers on tap, all brewed onsite in small batches. The taproom is low-frills, but has garage doors and a patio with shade to enjoy the Texas weather. The staff is friendly & knowledgeable, and there are enough interesting/unique beers on tap that a flight (maybe 2) is your best option. Beers range from blondes and IPAs, to stouts and sours. You’ll be hard-pressed to find Division’s beers in local distribution, but they sell beer to go in the taproom.
Revolver Brewing BLDG 5 Brewery and Taproom – next to the stadium
Right next to Globe Life Field, Revolver Brewing of Granbury, Texas has opened a outpost inside Texas Live! “Revolver Brewing BLDG 5 Brewery and Taproom” has a small-batch pilot brewing system on site, brewing up experimental offerings. Usually, there’s about a dozen beers on tap, nearly all of them only available at this outpost.
Cidercade Arlington
Bishop Cider (of Dallas) has opened a “Cidercade”, located at 500 E Division St, close to the original Hurtado BBQ. Here, you can get a wide variety of hard ciders and hard seltzers while playing arcade games. With over 300 arcade games of various eras, there is sure to be something for everyone. While it is family-friendly by day, after 8pm the place is strictly 21+. For a flat entry fee, the skee-ball, pinball, and arcade games are all set for freeplay – so NO QUARTERS or TOKENS REQUIRED!
Other Places to Visit When in Arlington Texas
Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor
The Six Flags Over Texas amusem*nt park is located in the shadows of the old ballpark, and hard to miss with the towering roller coasters and other thrill rides. More popular rides include the Titan roller coaster – which reaches 85 mph, and MR. FREEZE: Reverse Blast, which launches you backward around the tracks and up a 246 ft incline, then reverses course and returns you to the station facing forward. In addition to roller coasters, there’s a mix of rides appropriate for the entire family.
Hurricane Harbor is a water park just across the interstate from Globe Life Field. It’s a great place to spend the day and cool off from the Texas summer heat. Attendance is lightest during the work week, so you can spend the day there then catch a mid-week Rangers night game.
AT&T Stadium Tour
Whether you love the Dallas Cowboys, or hate them, there’s no denying that AT&T Stadium is one of the best. On the tour, you’ll see a suite, exclusive clubs, the players and cheerleaders locker rooms, and even step onto the field. More information and tickets are available from the stadium site.
Frisco Roughriders Texas League Baseball
You can see Texas League baseball without leaving the DFW metroplex. The Roughriders are the AA affiliate of the Rangers, and play in one of MiLB’s best and most unique ballparks. Opened in 2003, it’s located about an hour from Arlington (depending on traffic) in the Plano/Frisco area. There are plenty of affordable hotels, bars, and restaurants located right around the stadium.
Pro tip: avoid seats down the first base/right field line – you’ll be looking directly into the sunset for the first few innings.
Fort Worth Stockyards
“Where the West begins”. You may be disappointed to find out that not everyone wears 10 gallon hats and cowboy boots in Texas. The DFW area is very urban and modern – more comparable to LA than the old west. However, Ft. Worth has a distinct western flair. Every day at 11:30 and 4pm – depending on weather – there’s a cattle drive on East Exchange Street in the Ft. Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards neighborhood – north of downtown, is also a great place to shop for western wear, hand-made leather goods, and other cowboy and cowgirl necessities. It’s worth the trip for the cattle and people watching, but I suspect you may end up leaving with a big-ass belt buckle!
Sixth Floor Museum/JFK Assassination Site
Highly recommended by the “Visitors Guide to Globe Life Field”, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas offers a poignant view into one of the darkest days in the city’s (and America’s) history. This museum is well worth the visit – even for those that aren’t history buffs or weren’t alive in November ’63. Don’t be surprised if you relive the emotions that took over America that weekend in 1963.
Southfork Ranch
Located about an hour north east of Arlington, fans of the 80’s TV show Dallas! will instantly recognize Southfork Ranch. Fans from around the world (few under the age of 45) still visit the world’s most famous ranch, as tours are available daily.
