Opened in 2020, Globe Life Field is MLB’s newest stadium – but despite its modern amenities, it doesn’t quite hit a home run. The fully air-conditioned interior offers welcome relief from the Texas heat, and the adjacent Texas Live! complex provides a lively hub for food, drinks, and entertainment before and after the game. True to the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas,” the concessions are a standout, with giant hot dogs, beer bats, and bold local flavors that steal the show. We were lucky to attend a sold-out game, cheering on the Rangers to an 8–0 victory alongside my cousin Christa and her husband Sean, who live nearby. While the crowd energy was electric, the steep, sometimes obstructed seating, difficult vertical navigation, and a lack of distinctive design or deep franchise history left us feeling like this state-of-the-art stadium still misses some of the charm and character found in older parks.

We assessed the ballpark Design, Location, Concessions, Amenities, and Culture and finished with a Summary and Scoring.

Design

The old Rangers stadium, now called Choctaw Stadium, has been repurposed for other sports and events, making way for the team’s new home in 2020 – a modern ballpark equipped with a retractable roof and full air conditioning, the most notable advantages in the sweltering Texas climate. While the roof is technically functional, it seems rarely opened due to the heat. The Rangers might consider taking a page from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ playbook, pre-cooling the interior and then opening the roof just before first pitch for that open-air experience. Even when closed, the stadium still lets in sunlight thanks to clear roof panels that brighten the space naturally.

Aesthetically, the dark green seating and trim blend seamlessly into the overall design, while wooden tables and brown accents throughout the concourses give off a warm, rustic vibe – almost like a nod to Texas Roadhouse, which feels perfectly on-brand. As expected for a climate-controlled venue, the field features synthetic turf, which helps maintain a consistent playing surface indoors.

The stadium façade blends glass, brick, and steel in a way that feels both modern and rooted in tradition, complementing the surrounding architecture while subtly reflecting Texas’s industrial and rustic character. The mix of materials strikes a thoughtful balance – sleek enough to feel contemporary, yet warm and grounded enough to resonate with local culture.

The stadium’s nods to team and city history are subtle but thoughtfully placed. Inside, fans can find murals and artistic displays, including a standout ball and bat tribute to Nolan Ryan, one of the franchise’s most iconic players. A statue of Ryan also greets visitors outside the main entrance, serving as a popular photo spot. The retired numbers are displayed prominently across the outfield arches, while the team’s championship flags fly high above the outfield, adding a sense of legacy and pride to the ballpark’s upper reaches.

Due to its enclosed design and suburban location, the stadium doesn’t offer a traditional skyline view. However, through the outfield’s tall glass panels, you can catch glimpses of nearby landmarks like Six Flags roller coasters, the former Rangers ballpark (now Choctaw Stadium), and the lively Texas Live! entertainment district, adding some local flavor to the backdrop.

Overall functionality and navigation within the stadium were decent, especially on the main concourse levels, which allowed for a full loop around the park. One of the more unique design elements was the arched upper outfield walkway, a subtle nod to the old stadium’s outfield architecture. These walkways were a fun place to explore, offering sweeping views of the field and surrounding area from various outdoor balconies.

However, changing levels wasn’t as intuitive. Escalators and staircases were few and far between, making them tricky to locate. While elevators were more plentiful, they often came with long wait times, which slowed down vertical movement.

The seating layout was noticeably steep, which meant that even from the upper levels, we still felt close to the action. That said, the steep pitch gave the sense that the stadium had been vertically compressed to fit within a tighter footprint, resulting in some sightline issues. Railings obstructed views of home plate from many seats. We eventually landed in Section 316, Row 7, which gave us a great view of the infield but a slightly obstructed look at right field.

The stadium’s video boards were a definite highlight – two massive screens in left and right field featured clean, aesthetically pleasing designs with minimal ads and cohesive retro styling. The faux wood textures and dark green score overlays evoked a classic scoreboard look. Towering above center field, a vertical scoreboard topped with a bold digital Texas-shaped clock served as a fitting centerpiece to the ballpark’s design.

Location

Globe Life Field is located in Arlington, Texas, surrounded by a hub of major attractions including AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), the former Rangers ballpark (Choctaw Stadium), Six Flags Over Texas, and the bustling Texas Live! entertainment complex – offering plenty of pre- and post-game entertainment options.

The stadium was built in tandem with Texas Live!, a dynamic mixed-use space that includes a hotel, convention center, courtyard, shops, restaurants, and nightlife venues. We explored it briefly before the game and were struck by how much it resembled St. Louis’s Ballpark Village, right down to familiar staples like Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar.

Getting to the stadium by car was straightforward, and we recommend parking near the old stadium (Choctaw) close to the George Bush Turnpike exit. It made for an easy in-and-out experience, and we didn’t hit any traffic leaving the lot – a huge win after a sold-out game. Parking was on the pricier side at $25, but the convenience was worth it. Public transit options seemed limited, and we noticed long lines for shuttle buses, which may be something to consider when planning your visit. That said, the area felt very safe, thanks to its well-maintained surroundings and the presence of major venues and entertainment complexes nearby.

Concessions

The food quality and creativity were top-notch, with plenty of local favorites and over-the-top offerings that fully embraced the “everything’s bigger in Texas” motto. One standout was the Boomstick – a massive 3-pound, 2-foot-long hot dog loaded with chili, cheese, and jalapeños. Not only was it visually impressive (served in a giant, open-top cardboard briefcase), but it delivered on flavor with evenly distributed toppings and a bun that impressively held up without getting soggy. We split it between four people, which turned out to be the perfect portion. You can grab one at the “24” food booth near Section 132 – highly recommended for both taste and the photo op!

For more Texas flavor, Pluckers Wing Bar and Golden Chick deliver crowd-pleasing comfort food, from saucy wings to loaded fries piled high with toppings – perfect for sharing or satisfying a serious craving.

When it comes to dessert, Blue Bell ice cream reigns supreme, with a large central stand on the main level and smaller kiosks scattered throughout the stadium. We opted for the cookies and cream waffle bowl, and the ice cream itself was fantastic – rich, creamy, and packed with Oreo chunks. Unfortunately, the waffle bowl was a letdown. Instead of a full bowl, it was more like a rimmed drink coaster, shallow and fragile, with the ice cream actually served in a plastic bowl resting inside it. Not quite the indulgent treat we were expecting.

The beverage selection was solid, with a wide range of draft options available throughout the stadium. We decided to go all in and try our very first beer bat – a 26-ounce novelty drink that runs about $1 per ounce. While we had hoped to fill it with a local Karbach brew, we ended up with Mango Cart, which still delivered a refreshing hit in the Texas heat. Sipping from the oversized bat was half the fun, and posing with it quickly became a highlight of the night. It’s safe to say this crowd-pleaser lived up to the hype – definitely a must-try for first-timers!

There were numerous Barrel Up stands that served a variety of draft beers, seltzer, wine, and mixed drinks including margaritas.

Amenities

The Karbach Brewing area was the standout hangout spot in the upper left field, featuring games like foosball and cornhole for fans looking to unwind. Nearby, the 4-21 Food Hall offered a relaxed lounge vibe with sofas, chairs, and benches – perfect for adults to kick back with a drink.

The upper outfield sections boasted all-inclusive buffets, while the Jim Ross Suite Level on the second tier featured standard air-conditioned suites. Scott and Sean accidentally discovered a quieter lower concourse lined with private suite rooms and surprisingly empty restaurants – a hidden gem for escaping the crowds.

For families, there were a couple of modest kids’ zones on the upper level, including netted areas for speed pitching and wiffle ball batting – enough to keep younger fans entertained.

The restrooms were plentiful, modern, and clean, with fully automated fixtures and sturdy stalls. Every sink had well-stocked soap and paper towel dispensers. Seating was also impressively comfortable, with generous legroom and flexible plastic chairs featuring curved armrests reminiscent of ergonomic office designs.

Merchandise options were fairly standard, with one large team store on the main level and smaller retail stands scattered throughout. One cool touch: a jersey conveyor system at one of the kiosks. There was also a small authentics booth, but disappointingly, little in the way of baseball history – just a few framed jerseys and some wall art, with no museum or in-depth exhibits.

Culture

The overall atmosphere at Globe Life Field was vibrant and high-energy, thanks to dynamic music, crowd prompts, and fan-centered entertainment. We lucked out with a great matchup, as the Rangers shut out the White Sox 8–0, giving the sold-out crowd plenty to cheer about. The stands and concessions were packed, adding to the buzz throughout the stadium.

The “Make Some Noise” cues on the video boards were surprisingly effective – the crowd responded instantly, creating an impressive roar that echoed through the enclosed stadium. One of the night’s highlights was the Mariachis de los Texas Rangers taking the field after the second inning. The crowd enthusiastically sang along in Spanish, and later, everyone joined in a spirited rendition of singing “Friends in Low Places” with lyrics on the big screen. As a Blues fan, I couldn’t help but do the power play motions when they blasted the same music used during St. Louis hockey games to hype up the crowd.

Fans even pulled off a full-stadium wave going across all levels, which we’ve only seen rivaled at Busch Stadium – definitely a testament to how engaged the crowd was.

Between-inning entertainment included the Golden Chick Dot Race, which was hilariously over-the-top as the red dot body-checked the competition into the wall. A fun personal moment: Christa’s friend was selected for the giant dice toss, and we got a kick out of watching the oversized dice tumble onto the field.

Wearing our Cardinals gear sparked some good-natured conversation. Despite our 2011 World Series win over Texas, fans were friendly and welcoming throughout the game.

In terms of franchise history, the integration was minimal – likely due to the team’s relatively short legacy (founded in 1961, still chasing their first World Series title). Most of the thematic elements leaned into Texas pride or local business sponsorships, with subtle nods to the Rangers’ 50th Anniversary, which was commemorated through logos and signage.

The mascot, Rangers Captain, a cheerful palomino horse, made several appearances – rallying fans with the team flag and hosting the kids’ base-stealing race during an inning break.

Victory and home run celebrations included red and blue firework bursts and a lap around the field with the Rangers flag, while the opposing team’s pitching change got a fun musical touch with “Bye Bye Bye” playing over the speakers.

Summary & Scoring

Date Visited: August 6, 2022
Game Played: Rangers 8, White Sox 0 – Box score. Blowout with former Cardinal Adolis García leading the way with 5 RBIs, HR by Ezequiel Duran
Design: (2.3 / 5) – While the retractable roof and air conditioning are major perks in the Texas heat, the steep seating angles, frequent sightline obstructions, and limited franchise history displays detract from the overall experience. The arched outfield walkways are a nice visual nod to the old ballpark, but the enclosed design limits the skyline view.
Location: (4 / 5) – Located in Arlington, the stadium sits in the middle of an entertainment hub with Texas Live!, AT&T Stadium, and Six Flags all within walking distance. However, it’s a bit removed from Dallas proper, so it’s not ideal for those staying in the city without a car.
Concessions: (4.1 / 5) – True to the “everything’s bigger in Texas” motto, concessions impress with the Boomstick and beer bats. There’s also a nice selection of local favorites like Pluckers and Golden Chick, plus Blue Bell ice cream.
Amenities: (3.5 / 5) – The Karbach Brewing area and 4-21 Food Hall lounge provide solid adult hangout spots, and there are a couple of small upper-level kids zones for families.
Culture: (3.9 / 5) – Lively fans brought the energy during our visit, enthusiastically joining sing-alongs, participating in the wave across all levels, and responding immediately to crowd prompts. Between-inning entertainment, mascot antics, and mariachi performances added to the festive vibe.
Overall: (3.5 / 5) – As the newest stadium in MLB, Globe Life Field feels more functional than iconic. While the concessions are memorable and the Texas Live! complex adds major pre/post-game appeal, the ballpark lacks standout design features, suffers from obstructed views, and misses opportunities to showcase team history – making it a mixed experience despite its modern amenities.