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! This season we’re celebrating the World Series Champs alllll the way through October.

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.” 

This article assumes you’ve already snagged your tickets. If not, consider this:

• Children under 36-inches tall do not need a ticket as long as they sit in a ticket holder’s lap during the game. Limitations apply.
• A discounted ticket is available for kids 13 and younger in the Grandstand Reserved seating area. One adult ticket must be purchased for every kid’s ticket, up to four total. These tickets can only be purchased in person at the box office.

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.

Parking

Throw a rock; hit a parking lot. Because there are THREE major sporting venues in this area, there is no shortage of parking and ride-share options at this sports mecca. However, not all of them can be used for Rangers game parking. Tip: Check the schedules of the other venues to make sure your game day doesn’t coincide with other events. If it does, consider leaving early to account for extra traffic and less lot options. The lots open two-and-a-half hours before night games. Lots open two hours before day games.

You can prepay for the lot in advance or pay with a credit card upon arrival. General admission parking fees start at $20 and go up depending on the lot. However, all lots are cashless. Given this is a World Series Champions season, we strongly suggest pre-paying for parking.

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 if you don’t pre-pay. 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.

Arlington no longer allows rickshaws and pedicab transportation. However, Uber and Lyft are an option in the new rideshare pick-up zone at the Chapman Cutoff. Please note that once the game nears its end, several roads are blocked up and other pickup locations are not allowed.

Handicapped parking exists in all general admission lots — on a first come, first serve basis. You can also request ADA cart assistance from the parking staff.

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 & Bag Policy

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)! 

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, except for single-compartment drawstring bags that do not exceed the size requirements. Other exceptions include bags needed for medical reasons or diaper bags that accompany an infant or young child. Absolutely no coolers. All bags are subject to search before entering the ballpark.

The 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 but not in lots A, B, and T. There are SEVERAL rules for tailgating, which we will not list in this article for the sake of brevity. If tailgating is on your agenda, then visit the Texas Rangers Guest Guide and search under “T” for tailgating.

Food Options

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.

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. Please note all food vendors are cashless.

You’ll find tons of family-friendly themes at the ballpark in 2024, 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.

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).

Services

There are services and amenities for guests who have accessibility needs — accessible parking, elevators, escalators, accessible restrooms, accessible seating, ADA shuttle service, and complimentary 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, you can also find 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 Oatley Park Kid’s 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).

Save big at the ballpark every Tuesday home game. On Family Fun Tuesdays, you can purchase tickets for half the regular price with offer code COKE50. Park in Highlander Lot N for $15 parking instead of the usual $20 lots. At the concession stand behind section 233, you can get a four-person meal deal for just $30. Plus, in the same section, your children ages 13 and under can meet Rangers players at pre-game autograph sessions at 5:30 p.m. Autographs are limited to one item per player with no personalization or posed photos. Gates open thirty minutes early on Tuesdays, so we highly recommend arriving early to take advantage of these perks for families.  

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.

Experiences