AirHogs Stadium

AirHogs Stadium is a stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas. It is primarily used for soccer as the home of the USL2's Texas United. Prior to 2020, it was used mainly for baseball as the home of the American Association's Texas AirHogs, who were the primary tenants from 2008 to 2019. It has a capacity of 5,445 people and opened in May 2008.[1] The stadium plays host to various other concerts and events throughout the year. For a period of time, it was known as QuikTrip Park due to the sponsorship by the convenience store chain. In 2015, the city of Grand Prairie paid off the debt to build the stadium.

AirHogs Stadium
Former namesQuikTrip Park
Location1600 Lone Star Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
OwnerCity of Grand Prairie
OperatorGrand Prairie Professional Baseball, LP
Capacity5,445 Baseball(2008)
6,000+ Football (2009)
Field sizeLeft Field - 330 ft (100.58 m)
Center Field - 397 ft (121.0 m)
Right Field - 330 ft (100.58 m)
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
Broke groundMay 31, 2007
OpenedMay 16, 2008
Construction cost$20 Million USD
ArchitectSparks Sports
Tenants
Grand Prairie/Texas AirHogs (AA) 2008–2019
Dallas Desire (LFL) 2009
Texas United (USL2) 2017–present

On November 17, 2020, it was announced that American Cricket Enterprises had signed a long-term lease for the stadium, which will undero redevelopment to convert it into a facility that can host domestic and international cricket matches. The stadium is expected to be home to the Dallas franchise of Major League Cricket when it launches in 2022. USA Cricket, the US governing body, also announced that the facility would be used as a high-performance training center.[2][3]

Usage

Texas AirHogs
Main article: Texas AirHogs

The park was built for the Texas AirHogs of the American Association in 2007. They began play (as the Grand Prairie AirHogs) in May 2008 and finished their inaugural season with a final record of 56–40, also winning the Southern Division title before falling to the Sioux Falls Canaries in the finals. A few years later, they would win the 2011 American Association championship by winning a decisive game five at QuikTrip Park. The AirHogs folded in October 2020.[4]

Dallas Desire
Main article: Dallas Desire

The Dallas Desire were one of two teams that were introduced to the women's Lingerie Football League (now Legends Football League) in 2004. They played two home games of their 2009 season in Grand Prairie. The team then moved to the Cotton Bowl for the 2010 season.

American Association All-Star Game

The Grand Prairie AirHogs hosted the 2009 American Association All-Star Game at their home field on July 21, 2009.

Texas United

In 2017, new Premier Development League (PDL) soccer team Texas United announced that they would play their inaugural season at Airhogs Stadium.[5]

Southern Arkansas University Muleriders

The Mulerider Baseball team has used Airhog Stadium to host their Air Hog DII Classic since 2015. This "Classic" has featured several of the top teams in NCAA DII College Baseball.[6][7] The Muleriders did not return for the 2019 Baseball season.

Other
  • Picture of the first base side two weeks before opening day 2008
  • Picture of action during an AirHogs game on Aug 16, 2008
  • Panoramic picture taken from center field.
  • Smile Empty Soul performing at South by So What?! music festival in March 2014
  • Dallas alternative rock ensemble One Soul performing at South by So What?! on October 26, 2013

References
  1. "AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of Independent Professional Baseball". Americanassociationbaseball.com. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  2. "Grand Prairie approves stadium redevelopment plan that could make the city a premier U.S. cricket destination". The Dallas Morning News. November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  3. "Former Dallas baseball stadium to become 'new home of USA cricket'". ESPNcricinfo. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  4. "Texas Airhogs Terminate Membership in American Association". American Association. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  5. "PDL Welcomes Texas United". www.txunitedfc.com. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  6. "2017 Air Hogs DII Classic". Southern Arkansas University Athletics. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  7. "2018 Air Hogs DII Classic". Southern Arkansas University Athletics. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Events and tenants
Preceded by
Midway Stadium		 Host of the AAB All-Star Game
QuikTrip Park
2009		 Succeeded by
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
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