The Sports Fan’s Guide to TCU

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When you’re in Fort Worth, you’re in horned frog country. No matter your sport, Texas Christian University (TCU) has a proud legacy and a loyal following for you to enjoy. The Fort Worth Moms Blog has all the tips, tricks, and other info you’ll need to ensure a fun, complication-free TCU sports experience. Go frogs!

TCU Sports

Entrance/Security. A clear bag policy is in effect at all TCU athletics facilities. This means you’re only allowed to bring in clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 14 inches by 14 inches (like a one-gallon clear plastic zip-style bag) . Within this clear bag, you’re allowed one unopened bottle of water and a small clutch bag about the size of your hand, along with your other belongings. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at stadium/arena gates. Note that backpacks, diaper bags, and similar bags will not be allowed — so be sure you have room to stuff diapers, wipes, formula, etc. into that clear bag. Plan to arrive at the gates early to allow for increased security screening. Refer to TCU’s comprehensive list of prohibited items here.

TCU sportsFootball

Parking. All lots adjacent to Amon G. Carter Stadium are available for a seasonal rate only. They open five hours prior to kick-off on game day — plenty of time for your crew to enjoy a tailgate party. Or look for free game-day parking at McKinney Bible Church and Travis Avenue Baptist (no tailgating allowed at either).

If tailgating is on your must-do list, head over to University United Methodist Church (UUMC), St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, or Paschal High School. General parking is available for $20 per space at UUMC up to three hours before the start of the game. Note that, while tailgating is allowed, alcohol is not allowed on the premises. General parking is available for $20 per space at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, and $15 per space at Paschal High School (funding the school’s athletics program).

Shuttle service from all remote lots starts three hours prior to kick-off, with the last return shuttle departing the stadium 45 minutes after the end of the game. Check out TCU’s full football parking guide here.

What to Expect. Season tickets (home games) for die-hard TCU Horned Frog Football fans start at $300 per seat, and some of those reserved seats require an additional donation, from $50 to $750. Children under three years old are free. All children ages 12 and younger are invited to gather approximately one hour prior to kickoff at the southeast corner of the stadium. As “Bleacher Creatures,” they are welcome to run out onto the field alongside the Horned Frogs at every home game! Remember that the area around TCU is most crowded three hours before and 90 minutes after a football game.  

Look for a future expansion of Amon G. Carter Stadium, planned to open in fall of 2019! This $100 million donor-funded project will be the biggest upgrade to the stadium since its renovation opened in 2012. It will add 22 luxury suites, 48 loge boxes, club seating, and a new LED video board.

Dining Inside the Stadium. Starting in 2017, patrons enjoy for-purchase offerings from an expanded list of vendors, including popular local Fort Worth names like Buffalo Bros., Railhead Smokehouse, FunkyTown Donuts, and Melt Ice Creams. To download the Amon G. Carter Stadium concessions map, click here. 

TCU sportsBaseball

Parking. General parking is available in Lot 2. Shuttle service to the Charlie and Marie Lupton Stadium starts two hours prior to the first pitch. Tailgating is allowed before the game only, but leave the open flames, kegs, and fryers at home. Check out this handy parking guide from the university.

What to Expect.  Season tickets start at $215. Die-hard fans can get on the season ticket waitlist here at the time of writing. Single-game tickets generally begin in February. The first Sunday of every month during baseball season has traditionally been kids day, with kid-friendly activities included with the ticket price. Children under three years old are free. Keep in mind the area around TCU is most crowded one hour before and one hour after a baseball game.

Dining Inside the Stadium. TCU made headlines in 2018 when it allowed beer sales at baseball games. Sales take place at the main concession stands on the concourse of the stadium. Traditionally, expect to find a Chick-fil-A stand along with other vendors of fajitas, Philly cheesesteak, pulled pork, hot dogs, nachos, and a variety of treats.

TCU sportsBasketball

Parking. Free general parking is available on both men’s and women’s basketball game days in the Davey O’Brien Lot 2 (following holiday break due to band use), Bob Lilly Lot 3, Lot 4, LaDainien Tomlinson Parking Garage 5, and Sam Baugh Lot 7. You can also find paid parking around campus and make your way to the Ed & Rae Schollmaier Basketball Complex. Check out TCU’s full basketball parking guide here.

What to Expect.  Men’s basketball season tickets range from $275 to $525 per seat, with some seats requiring additional donation of $50 to $1,000. Women’s basketball season tickets start at $100 for general admission, with floor and courtside sections going for $120 per seat. Die-hard fans can get on the season ticket waitlist (click here for men’s basketball and here for women’s basketball) at the time of writing. Single-game tickets generally begin in November. Children under three years old are free. Be aware that the area around TCU is most crowded one hour before and one hour after a basketball game.  

Dining Inside the Complex. Concessions are similar to those found at other TCU sports venues. Look for typical game-day fare like burgers, hot dogs, nachos, pizza, and wings at the concessions stands and food court.

Your Stay in Fort Worth

If you’re visiting your college kid or bringing the family to Cowtown for a TCU sports game, there are dozens of options for family-friendly places to eat, sleep and play while you’re here.

Dining Outside the Venues.  Want to eat like a college kid? You and your family can surely pack on more than the freshman 15 at nearby icons like Dutch’s Hamburgers, Buffalo Bros., and Ol’ South Pancake House. Plenty of established chains call University Boulevard home — including McAllister’s Deli, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Raising Cane’s, and Zoë’s Kitchen. Refer to our exhaustive guide to kid-friendly restaurants in and around Fort Worth for many, many more options. Or, if craft beer and bites are more your style, check out our guide to family-friendly breweries in the Tarrant County area.

Lodging. TCU offers an extensive listing of hotels near the college — handy for visiting parents — which you can access here. Browse our trusty guide on where to stay in Fort Worth, or consider staying in the Stockyards for the full Cowtown experience!

Other Attractions. No visit to Fort Worth would be complete without a day at the  Fort Worth Zoo, a ride on the Forest Park Miniature Train, and a tour of the Log Cabin Village. If you have more than one extra day to spend in Cowtown, plan to explore the Fort Worth Stockyards. 

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Diana
Raised in Arlington, Diana got her professional start as a financial journalist and quickly transitioned into technical writing. She met her husband Casey—a serial graduate and Fort Worth native—at church in 2011 before he began law school. They married within a year and were both in their 30s when they welcomed Dorothea (2016) and Josephine (2017). When Diana’s not trying free baby-and-me programs around town, she’s jogging on the treadmill or keeping a (somewhat) clean house. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and figuring out this crazy, wonderful new gig of stay-at-home mommy hood.

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