Globe Life Park (now Choctaw Stadium) hosted Rangers baseball from 1994 to 2019. Globe Life Field replaced it in 2020. Was the move worth it?
The case for the new stadium:
- Climate control: The retractable roof eliminates 100-degree summer games. Average temperature at old Globe Life Park for July-August home games was 98.4 degrees. Attendance for those games averaged 24,100. Source: Baseball Reference attendance data.
With the roof, August attendance at Globe Life Field averages 33,800 -- a 40% increase.
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Modern amenities: Better food, wider concourses, improved sightlines, premium seating options.
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Revenue generation: Approximately $40M more in annual revenue through premium seating and sponsorships. Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The case for the old stadium:
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Character: Old Globe Life Park had quirks -- the out-of-town scoreboard in right field, the office building beyond center, the unique wind patterns.
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Outdoor baseball: The old park connected fans to the elements. The new stadium feels like a convention center to some.
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Cost: $1.2 billion, with Arlington taxpayers contributing $500M. Source: City of Arlington bond records.
The verdict: The move was worth it from a business and comfort perspective. But something was lost -- the charm of an outdoor ballpark with personality.
Sources:
- Baseball Reference -- attendance data
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram -- revenue reporting
- City of Arlington -- bond records