Arlington’s entertainment district is in the midst of a transformation, and the energy is unmistakable. From the bustling storefronts at Choctaw Stadium to the cultural celebrations at Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers and the city of Arlington are working hand-in-hand to create a vibrant destination that draws crowds long after the final pitch or buzzer sounds. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington just around the corner, the area is gearing up for a surge in visitors—and the changes are already visible.
Work to reimagine the entertainment district began in earnest on August 26, 2024, but city officials and business leaders have been laying the groundwork for some time. City Manager Trey Yelverton highlighted the progress during a recent council meeting, pointing to the west side of Choctaw Stadium, where new tenants like Starbucks, Lone Star Dry Goods, Lucchese Bootmaker, and El Tiempo Cantina have set up shop in the past year. The city isn’t stopping there. Plans are in motion to add a sports memorabilia store and even a police storefront, giving officers a place to gather and recharge during the area’s biggest events.
“It’s really continuing to kind of infill down in that area and put feet on the street,” Yelverton told the council, underscoring the city’s commitment to making the district a hub of activity every day, not just when there’s a game or concert.
Parking, always a hot topic around major venues, is getting a fresh look. District 2 council member Raul Gonzalez pressed Yelverton about options for customers of the new businesses at Choctaw Stadium, especially when events make parking scarce. Right now, Lot B is free on non-event days, but fills up quickly when there’s action. The city is considering creative solutions—like converting a valet lane into diagonal parking, which could add 20 or more new spaces. There’s also talk of expanding valet options, with free validation from local businesses, and possibly adding more street parking. It’s clear that making the district accessible is a top priority for both the city and its new retail tenants.
The pedestrian experience is also getting a facelift. Recent additions include digital signs above the stadium entrance facing Loews Arlington Hotel and the ever-popular Texas Live entertainment complex. One massive digital screen, in particular, is drawing comparisons to Times Square. “The area that faces Texas Live, there’s a huge new digital screen that brings not only revenue but kind of that small Times Square kind of vibe into that intersection,” Yelverton said. The city plans to add more signage—some digital, others static—along with new plants, lighting, flags, and other decorations to make the walkways around Choctaw Stadium more inviting. “They really want to figure out how this wide plaza area really gets activated with landscaping and lights and flags and just things that really make it more vibrant so that this walk here is not only cool because the way the hotel shades it but it’s cool as a nice factor,” Yelverton added. “It’s attractive and it’s vibrant.”
There’s more than just retail and aesthetics at play. The area is seeing a surge in mixed-use development, with One Rangers Way—a Rangers-themed luxury apartment complex—standing tall across the street. Office space renovations are ongoing, too, with Spark Coworking already established in the center field offices and more to come. These changes signal a shift: the entertainment district is becoming a place to live, work, and play, not just a spot to catch a game or concert.
Big events are set to supercharge this evolution. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, slated for next June, is expected to bring thousands of international visitors to the area, while the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington in March 2026 promises to keep the momentum rolling. These events, along with the city’s recent feat of paying off the AT&T Stadium construction debt ten years early—saving taxpayers a hefty $150 million—are fueling optimism among city leaders and business owners.
But the excitement isn’t limited to infrastructure and urban planning. On August 25, 2025, Globe Life Field played host to a different kind of spectacle: the annual Japan-America Friendship Night, presented in partnership with the Texas Rangers, the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW), and Toyota Motor North America. The event brought together a delegation of 16 Japanese middle school students, who served as cultural ambassadors before the Rangers’ matchup with the Los Angeles Angels. The students, accompanied by Toyota Motor North America CEO Ted Ogawa, soaked in the all-American baseball experience—attending pre-game festivities, donning official Rangers gear, and joining local fans in the stands.
Ted Ogawa himself took the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch, a gesture that underscored Toyota’s deep ties to North Texas and the enduring relationship between Japan and the United States. “Friendship Night is more than just a ballgame—it's a celebration of cultural connection,” said Lawrence P. Howorth, Chair of the JASDFW Board of Directors. “Seeing the students experience one of America's sports while sharing their culture with our community truly represents the spirit of international friendship.” The event highlighted the shared values of teamwork, friendship, and community that unite North Texas and Japan, reinforcing the district’s role as a crossroads of sports and culture.
Looking ahead, the Texas Rangers are already planning for the 2026 season, with the MLB releasing the regular-season schedule on August 26, 2025. For the third time in a decade, the Rangers will kick off their campaign on the road, opening March 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. Globe Life Field will host the home opener on April 3, 2026, when the Cincinnati Reds come to town. The schedule features a unique wrinkle: the Rangers will enjoy off days in the middle of two home series—June 17 and July 3—because of FIFA World Cup matches at neighboring AT&T Stadium. These breaks are a nod to the district’s growing status as an international sports hub.
Fans can also look forward to MLB’s “Rivalry Weekend” from May 15-17, 2026, when the Rangers will square off against their perennial rivals from Houston. The anticipation is already building, with supporters eager to see how the team stacks up against its nemesis in a year packed with marquee events.
As Arlington’s entertainment district continues to evolve, one thing’s for sure: the area is buzzing with activity, innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether it’s the latest retail opening at Choctaw Stadium, a cross-cultural celebration at Globe Life Field, or a blockbuster sporting event, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit—and to keep coming back. With so much on the horizon, the district’s transformation is only just beginning, and the city’s leaders, businesses, and fans are determined to make every moment count.
With new faces, new places, and a calendar packed with world-class events, Arlington’s entertainment district is proving it’s much more than just a game-day destination—it’s a community on the rise, ready to welcome the world.
