Professional Sports
Not every metro area can claim this level of caliber or abundance of professional sports teams: the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys, National Basketball Association’s Dallas Mavericks, Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars, Women’s National Basketball Association’s Dallas Wings, Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas, and Major League Lacrosse’s Dallas Rattlers all call the Dallas/Fort Worth area home. No matter what time of year you find yourself in Irving, your options for sports entertainment are nearly limitless. There’s always a game going on somewhere.
Make plans to spend a Sunday at AT&T Stadium, ice-cold beer in one hand, delicious hot dog in the other, and take in a Dallas Cowboys game. Or get over to American Airlines Center to grub on nachos and watch the Dallas Mavericks take the court. Both of these professional sports teams are just a 20 minute drive from Irving. Depending on the time of year, head over to Globe Life Park in Arlington for that refreshing scent of fresh cut grass and unmistakable crack of the bat as the Texas Rangers play nine innings against a rival Major League Baseball team.
If there aren’t any pro games going on when you visit, don’t worry. Most of the area’s incredible stadiums offer public tours throughout the year, which makes for a pretty exciting alternative. Take the whole family for a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into many of the area’s stadiums.
Irving and the DFW Metroplex are also home to some excellent golf opportunities. The Fort Worth Invitational at Colonial, for example, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played annually in May in Fort Worth at Colonial Country Club, which organizes the event. It is one of five invitational tournaments on the PGA Tour. The AT&T Byron Nelson is another golf tournament.
College Sports In Irving
You’ll find numerous colleges with active sports schedules close to Irving, including the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks, the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, and the University of North Texas Mean Green. For even more baseball action, don’t miss out on the area’s only Division I college baseball team, the Dallas Baptist University Patriots. Head over to their Horner Ballpark to catch a game at one of the premier baseball facilities in the nation. Sports at these colleges include basketball, baseball, cross country, football, golf, swimming, diving, tennis, track and field, equestrian sports, and more.
Other Sports In Irving
For those looking for different sports in Irving, you’re in luck. If you crave speed and roaring engines, spend a day at Texas Motor Speedway. This powerhouse racing venue is home to two NASCAR Sprint Cup races: the Duck Commander 500 and the AAA Texas 500, as well as two Xfinity Series races, the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 and the O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge and the Indy Racing League Verizon IndyCar series race, the Firestone 600. The track also hosts two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, the WinStar World Casino & Resort 400 and the WinStar World Casino & Resort 350.
For real horsepower, head over to Lone Star Park to watch thoroughbreds kick up dust on the horse racing track. If you’re feeling lucky, place some bets at this premier horse racing facility while enjoying fine dining, drinks, and special events throughout the year.
Still itching for baseball? For an outing just as fun as watching the Rangers, but on a smaller scale, don’t miss the Texas AirHogs in nearby Grand Prairie. As part of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, AirHogs games feature high-caliber players in a relaxed, fun atmosphere perfect for the whole family. Head out to AirHog Stadium, just a fifteen minute drive from Irving, and delight in peanuts, cracker jacks, and other snack bar goodies and watch these local favorites take the field.
Other sports in Irving include an assortment of rugby clubs, cricket leagues, women’s football (try and catch a game the Dallas Elite of the Women’s Football Alliance), and even rodeo (see the schedule of events at the Mesquite Arena/Rodeo Center or the Cowtown Coliseum at the Fort Worth Stockyards).
So, whether you’re in Irving for business or pleasure, make sure to find a game to go see. When it comes to sports in Irving, there’s something for every fan, from professional sports, collegiate athletics, and amateur leagues.
