The new ballpark could hold between 35,000-40,000 fans for a football gameHKS
The MLB Rangers and their new Globe Life Field "want in the college football party," and at some point in '19, the club will "get more serious about its plans for using the park as a football stadium, specifically for a bowl game," according to Mac Engel of the Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM. Rangers Exec VP/Business Operations Rob Matwick said that the club is "interested in joining the bowl season" after the venue opens in '20. Matwick said while the team wants to host a bowl game, it also wants to "be respectful of the Cotton Bowl." Matwick: "We would not want to do anything to take away from the Cotton Bowl." Matwick added that the Rangers also have "had discussions with Big 12 teams about potentially playing a game at the new facility." Engel notes until Globe Life Field is open, the Rangers "can't do much more than discuss ideas and propose concepts." Matwick said that a football field at the new ballpark would run with "one end zone situated in left center to center field towards home plate up the first base line," and "temporary bleachers could be installed along that sideline if needed." Matwick estimated that the park would "seat between 35,000 to 40,000 for a football game" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/8).
WHY STOP AT BOWL GAMES? In Dallas, Evan Grant notes once the Rangers open Globe Life Field next year, they will "continue to reach out to events from boat shows to college football games." Matwick said the Rangers designed the ballpark "with football in mind, but you want to make sure when you get from design to reality that everything fits and works as it should." Grant notes there "will be challenges" with football games, including why teams would go to a 35,000-40,000-seat venue when there is a "perfectly good one that seats twice as many across the street" at AT&T Stadium. What may be "more likely on the football front: High school football playoffs, particularly some early-round games." What is "most likely: More baseball." The Rangers have "indicated they will pursue being a site for the World Baseball Classic," perhaps even as early as '21, and an MLB All-Star Game. The team has already "landed three major concerts" for their current venue, Globe Life Park, in Paul McCartney, Jason Aldean and Billy Joel. A 35,000-seat concert venue "puts them in the mix for multiple acts that are too big for arenas" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/8).
