Last updated September 8, 2026.
If you have a general-admission ticket to the RNC midterm convention at American Airlines Center, do not drive to the arena. Secret Service security, street closures, and a closed DART station make AAC parking unusable for most ticket holders. The official plan is free parking at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, then a required shuttle called the GOP Express.
Lone Star Park In Grand Prairie, TX | Unique Venues
Official guest guidance is posted at convention.gop/eventinfo. Dallas Morning News and local TV have confirmed the same rules.
Where General Admission Must Park
Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
That is about 13 miles west of American Airlines Center, just north of I-30 on Belt Line Road.
- Parking is free
- First come, first served
- Gates open at 10:00 a.m. CT both Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10
- Do not arrive before 10 a.m. The gates will not open early
- Organizers want you on site no later than 1:00 p.m.
Enter from Lone Star Parkway and follow signs to Gates 4 and 5 or “Midterm Convention Parking.” Attendants may ask to see your confirmation email before they let the car in.
Bring:
- Confirmation email (printed or on your phone)
- Photo ID
Every person getting a credential must be present. Organizers will not issue tickets for people who stay in the car.
Time Line for Arrival
| Time (CT) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Lone Star Park gates open |
| 11:00 a.m. | Staff begin moving people inside |
| 1:00 p.m. | Credential distribution starts. Have ID and confirmation ready |
| 2:00 p.m. | GOP Express buses start loading |
| About every 10 minutes | Buses leave in waves |
| ~20 minutes | Ride to American Airlines Center |
| After the program | Buses return guests to Lone Star Park |
Credential pickup and bus loading happen at the main building. Follow staff and signs. After you get the physical ticket and lanyard, board the shuttle immediately. The GOP Express is free with your official ticket.
Why You Cannot Park at American Airlines Center
Victory Park is inside a secure zone through Friday. Closures started Sept. 7 and last until about midnight Sept. 11.
Closed streets include:
- Victory Avenue
- North Houston Street
- Nowitzki Way
- Payne Street
- North Field Street
The DART Victory Park station is closed. Uber and Lyft are not allowed inside the secure zone. Anyone walking or driving through Victory Park may be asked for ID or a reason to be there.
RNC Midterm Convention in Dallas: What to know about security – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Normal AAC lots (Lexus Garage, Comerica, Commons, Lot F ADA, etc.) are not the general-admission plan for this event. Those lots exist for Mavericks and Stars games. This week they sit inside the security perimeter.
What to Expect at the Arena
After the shuttle ride you go through Secret Service screening. Programming windows are roughly late afternoon into the evening both nights. Trump speaks both nights. Vance keynotes one night. Texas speakers include Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, Dan Patrick, and several House members and candidates.
Related speaker list: Texas Republicans take center stage at the RNC midterm convention in Dallas.
Quick Checklist
- Park only at Lone Star Park if you have general admission
- Gates 10 a.m., credentials 1 p.m., buses 2 p.m.
- Confirmation email + photo ID
- Ride the GOP Express both ways
- Expect extra traffic on I-30 and Belt Line
- Do not count on DART Victory Park or rideshare drop-off at the door
VIP, donor, and working-credential parking is separate and has not been published in the general-admission briefing. If your ticket package listed a different lot, follow that instruction instead.
Official sources: convention.gop/eventinfo · Lone Star Park directions · Dallas Morning News arrival instructions
Last updated September 8, 2026.