What to Know When You Attend a Texas Rangers Game with Kids

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What to Know When You Attend a Texas Rangers Game with Kids

We may be biased, but when it comes to Arlington, Texas, we feel that sports fans have the best of Major League Baseball (MLB) to enjoy: the Texas Rangers!

Planning to attend a game with your family? Before you visit Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, take a few minutes to check out each section of this article. We’ve done the research for you and have the best tips for fun, food, and making lasting memories with your family.

Looking for more family friendly resources and ideas? Check out our Guide to Extracurricular Activities and Guide to Indoor Activities

Here’s what you can expect when attending games and here’s how to get the most out of your MLB experience with your kids.

Know Before You Go

Parking. With the new stadium, everything you once knew about the area has changed. One thing is the same: There is no shortage of parking and ride-share options at this sports mecca. Note that all lots are cashless and no tailgating is allowed. You can prepay for the lot in advance or pay with a credit card upon arrival. General admission parking fees range from $15 – $35. 

Each lot has its own address you can plug into your phone or GPS. If you’re bringing small kiddos, consider how far you have to walk. Take it from us — have an idea of where you want to park before leaving the house and have a back-up plan. Arrive early if you want to park closer to the stadium because those lots obviously fill up first. Parking close to the stadium has pros and cons. Pro: You will have less walking time, which is huge if you have littles in tow. Con: It will take you a lot longer to leave the stadium due to traffic.

If you aren’t headed to Texas Live after the game and would like to avoid traffic as much as possible, consider parking in a lot near the highway on-ramp you’ll be taking. Typically, there are plenty of rickshaw drivers who can give you and the kids a lift to the stadium and back to your car. 

Drive a Lexus? Enjoy complimentary parking in the Lexus Lot on the east side of Globe Life Field. Be sure to have a current dealership-issued Lexus decal visible on your windshield! 

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Gates. For day games, gates open an hour and a half before the first pitch. For evening games, gates open two hours prior to start time. Once you get to the stadium, there are six points of entry. Plan ahead regarding which entry to present your tickets. All tickets are now digital, so you’ll need to download the MLB Ballpark app. Bonus: The app, which is compatible with iPhone and Android, features “blue dot technology” that uses geolocation to direct you to your seat (or anywhere else in the ballpark)! 

Children under 36 inches tall do not need a ticket as long as they sit in a ticket holder’s lap during the game.

Outside food is allowed inside of Globe Life Field as long as it’s inside a sealed, clear quart-sized (or smaller) plastic bag. Guests may also bring in a sealed, non-flavored (plastic) water bottle (must be under one liter). One bag of food and one bottle of water per ticket will be permitted. Handbags and diaper bags are permitted, but with some specific guidelines: must be soft sided and cannot exceed 16 inches x 16 inches x 8 inches in size. Backpacks are prohibited, expect for single-compartment drawstring bags that do not exceed the size requirements. All bags are subject to search before entering the ballpark.

The new stadium features a retractable roof and a climate-controlled environment. That being said, it’s wise to pack for hot or cold extremes in case the roof is open and the sun is blazing, or the roof is closed and the AC is blasting.     

Tailgating. Tailgating is permitted in most Rangers parking lots. (Exceptions include lots A, B, and T.) All guests wishing to tailgate must observe specific guidelines: 

  • Parking spaces are for vehicles only. 
  • Tailgating and all setup (tents, grills, tables, chairs, etc.) is permitted only in grassy areas surrounding the parking lots.
  • Do not block sidewalks or areas of pedestrian traffic.
  • Tailgating is permitted from the time the parking lots open until the end of the second inning.
  • Post-game tailgating is allowed up to one hour after the final out.
  • All guests must follow directions and instructions provided by ballpark parking and security personnel.
  • Trash should be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles. (Coals must be disposed of in the designated coal containers located throughout the lots.) 
  • The following items and activities are strictly prohibited:
    • Open flame fires of any kind. Charcoal and gas cooking is permitted.
    • Deep fryers or any oil-based cooking or frying.
    • Saving parking or tailgate spaces.
    • Weapons or fireworks.
    • The use of drones.
    • Disorderly conduct.
    • Sale of food, beverage, merchandise, etc.
    • Amplified sound systems or the use of radios/audio devices at loud levels.
    • Outside food companies (only Delaware North is permitted to cater tailgate parties).
    • Advertising or promoting any third-party products (including but not limited to food and beverage products).
    • Private porta-potties are NOT allowed in parking lots.

Services. The Texas Rangers are committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all guests and proudly provide services and amenities for guests who have accessibility needs — accessible parking, elevators, escalators, accessible restrooms, accessible seating, ADA shuttle service, and complementary wheelchair escorts. The ADA shuttle service is available when lots open (generally 30 minutes prior to gates opening). Complimentary wheelchair escort service is available to assist guests between the gates and their ticketed seats. In addition, the Rangers are pleased to offer closed captioning of the public address announcements. The closed-captioning transcript can be viewed on both the left field and right field video ribbons.

For Families. The Rangers are intentional about taking care of families! Moms with littles will appreciate private nursing rooms, conveniently placed throughout the ballpark. Baby changing tables are available in all family restrooms, located at sections 3, 10,18,24, 102, 111, 123, 127, 130, 133, 201, 208, 214, 224, 231, 235, S201, PS201, CS235, PS208, HOF203. Need to get some wiggles out? Check out the Kids Zone, located on the Centerfield Upper Concourse near section 238. This area includes a ball field playground with oversized baseball equipment for little ones to climb on! Strollers and car seats for children are permitted inside Globe Life Field as long as they are collapsible and can fit underneath your ticketed seat(s).

Sensory bags are available at Guest Services on the Main Concourse behind section 101.These kits include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and a feeling thermometer. Is your child feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated? Visit Guest Services for an escort to the sensory room, a quiet space to decompress.

Themes. You’ll find tons of family-friendly themes at the ballpark in 2023, including Texas Chili Company Dollar Hot Dog Days and Blue Bell Ice Cream Sundays! Check out the full list of Texas Rangers promotions and theme nights this season.

Food & Beverage. The Field has more than 100 concession stands offering hot dogs, nachos, pizza, burgers, smoked sausage, barbecue, peanuts, popcorn, soft drinks, ice cream, desserts, and more. There are several more dining options sure to please the pickiest eater — scroll down to “Group Areas” for up-to-date information and locations.

Clubs. Globe Life Field offers a smorgasbord of dining and club options, including upscale dining (Lexus Club), buffet-style dinners (StubHub Club), grab-and-go food (Balcones Speakeasy), dugout dining (Evan Williams and Germania Insurance Lounges), and a buffet (Texas Terrace).

“Going To the Show” Statue. Something you don’t want to miss during your visit to Global Life Field! The sculpture, unveiled in 2018, commemorates the embrace of former Rangers players Neftali Feliz and Bengie Molina, moments after defeating the New York Yankees in game six of the 2010 American League Championship Series, sending the Rangers to their first World Series appearance. This iconic statue is located in the North Plaza.
 
Shopping. Find the largest selection of Rangers merchandise around at the Grand Slam Team Store, located off the North Plaza near Texas Live! During games, it’s accessible from the Main Concourse at the TXU Energy North Entry. On non-game days, you can still get there from the sidewalk along Randol Mill Road. Non-game day hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 

Autographs. The Rangers Authentics stand is the place to find game-used collectibles as well as tons of autographed merchandise. The kiosk is located in centerfield on the Main Concourse alongside the Grand Slam Team Store. You can also shop for autographed Texas Rangers merch online.

Ball Park Experiences. Globe Life Park offers more than baseball! Want to host a birthday party in the Kid’s Zone or private cooking class for your couples’ group? They can help with that. Check out “Tours and Experiences” to ask for more information.
 
Jr. Rangers Club. Got a young Texas Rangers fan? Look into the Jr. Rangers Club, an exclusive Rangers fan club with lots of perks for kids 13 and under. 
What to Know When You Attend a Texas Rangers Game with Kids

Your Stay in Arlington

While you’re in town for baseball, take advantage of the many family-friendly places to eat, sleep, and play in Arlington!

Dining Outside the Ballpark. You’ll find everything from Tex-Mex to Japanese to Vietnamese cuisine, from subs to salads to fried chicken fingers at Lincoln Square. A short drive away, Gyros House, Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, Mellow Mushroom, and the popular J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill line Division Street and intersecting roads between Cooper and Collins. Pro tip: Check out our guide to kid-friendly restaurants in and around Fort Worth for many, many more options.

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Lodging. For affordable options, we’ve relied on La Quinta Inn & Suites, Sleep Inn, and Ranger Inn and Suites

Other Attractions. Plan time to visit Six Flags Over Texas for rollercoasters and more, Hurricane Harbor for plenty of water fun, and Alley Cats Entertainment for bowling, arcade games, laser tag, rock climbing, miniature golf, and batting cages. Texas Live! entertainment complex includes a 5,000-person capacity outdoor venue, multi-level indoor sports bar with a 100-foot LED HD television, Lockhart Smokehouse, and Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint.

We hope this round-up of resources helps make your experience at a Texas Rangers game amazing, stress-free, and memorable for your family! 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Hi Kristy!

    I am the founder of Pluie, a self-sanitizing diaper changing table for public restrooms! We just installed our changing tables in the Mother’s Rooms at Globe Life Field! I would love to share more with you if you are interested in writing a story about Pluie for the Rangers! We are women owned and operated, moms trying to create something better, and recently featured on Good Morning America!

    Addie

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