Confirmed general-admission guests attending the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas must collect their credentials at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and ride an official shuttle to American Airlines Center, organizers announced September 4.
The Republican National Committee outlined the entry process, transportation schedule and security restrictions during a Live Ticket Briefing for guests who secured admission to the September 9-10 convention.
Organizers stressed that confirmed general-admission guests cannot bypass Lone Star Park and travel directly to American Airlines Center.
Guests Must Check In At Lone Star Park
Free parking at Lone Star Park will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The venue, located at 1000 Lone Star Parkway in Grand Prairie, will serve as the required check-in and transportation hub for general-admission attendees.
According to the briefing:
- Parking gates open at 10 a.m.
- Organizers will begin moving guests inside at 11 a.m.
- Credential distribution begins at 1 p.m.
- GOP Express buses begin loading at 2 p.m.
Attendees were instructed not to arrive before 10 a.m. but to reach Lone Star Park by 1 p.m. Those checking in must have their confirmation email and a photo ID ready. Parking attendants may also ask to see the confirmation email before allowing vehicles through the gate.
Guests should enter from Lone Star Parkway and follow event signs and staff directions to Gates 4 and 5.
Every person receiving a ticket must be physically present at check-in. Organizers said credentials will not be issued for absent family members or other guests.
Physical Ticket Required For GOP Express
After checking in, guests must immediately board the free GOP Express shuttle to American Airlines Center. A photograph of the ticket will not be accepted for boarding.
Buses are expected to depart in waves approximately every 10 minutes beginning at 2 p.m. Organizers estimated the trip to the arena will take about 20 minutes but warned guests to expect traffic delays while President Donald Trump is in Dallas.
Once passengers reach American Airlines Center, they will pass through U.S. Secret Service screening before entering the plaza, where food, beverages and activities will be available.
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., organizers will call entry groups and display the numbers on outdoor screens. Each guest’s group number will appear on the back of the physical ticket.
“You will not be allowed to queue until your group is called,” Deputy Executive Director Natalie Arwine said during the briefing. “Treat this like boarding an airplane.”
Guests must scan and register the QR code on the back of the ticket before reaching the security checkpoint. Tickets must remain visible on the provided lanyards throughout the event.
Organizers Recommend Leaving Bags Behind
The Secret Service will enforce a small clear-bag or clutch policy. Clutches may not exceed 5 inches by 7 inches, according to the briefing.
Organizers recommended bringing no bag at all, warning that unapproved bags could delay entry or prevent guests from proceeding through security.
“If you are in doubt about what you can bring, leave it in the car,” Arwine said.
Concessions will be available on the plaza and terrace level. Official convention merchandise will be sold at the Michelob Ultra Club on the main plaza level.
The briefing said the GOP Express will not operate during the primary evening program. After programming concludes at 9 p.m., buses will return attendees to Lone Star Park.
The briefing told general-admission guests that the official program will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The schedule can be found here.
Trump, Vance Among Featured Speakers
Trump will appear on both nights and deliver the closing keynote address on September 10. Vice President JD Vance will deliver the September 9 keynote.
The briefing also highlighted appearances by Donald Trump Jr., Scott Bessent, Todd Blanche, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, Scott Turner, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. John Barrasso, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.
The convention’s official schedule lists 109 speakers and programming items across the two nights. Topics include tax relief, border enforcement, election integrity, school choice, public safety, health care, domestic manufacturing and the Republican agenda heading into the November elections.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the RNC opened a public lottery allowing applicants to request as many as six free tickets. The RNC said winners would be notified September 4 and given 24 hours to claim their tickets.
The ticket form warned that receiving a credential does not guarantee admission if the arena reaches capacity. The briefing likewise urged confirmed guests to arrive early, travel light and follow instructions from official staff and volunteers.
Provided by Dallas Express
