A Winning Event

Catch former Texas Rangers star Derek Holland at CultureMap's Tailgate

Derek Holland will be at The Tailgate.

Photo courtesy of Texas Rangers

CultureMap is gearing up for The Tailgate, the can’t-miss game-day bash of the season, landing 12-4 pm Sunday, October 5, at The Empire Room in the Dallas Design District.

And you'll want to get there early, because we have a special guest lined up. Former Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland will appear from 12-1 pm to pose for pics, shake hands, and sign autographs for fans.

Holland was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2006, making his MLB debut in 2009. He played a key role in the Rangers' back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011, most notably delivering a winning performance in game four of the 2011 Fall Classic.

Over the course of his career, Holland also pitched for the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers.

The southpaw retired from the MLB in 2025 and went on to found the 60 Feet 6 Foundation, to help raise awareness of and funds for the research of pediatric leukemia.

Texas Rangers Derek Holland Derek Holland now coaches pitching at UTD.Photo courtesy of Texas Rangers

Holland spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons as a volunteer assistant pitching and first base coach for Dallas College North Lake in Irving. He also served as the bullpen coach for the American League team in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game. Holland is currently a volunteer pitching coach for the UTD Comets.

In addition to meeting Holland, attendees of The Tailgate will enjoy a range of experiences showcasing local sports and local food. Savor sports-inspired bites from your favorite restaurants like Loro, STK Steakhouse, Fearing Restaurant Group, and more; sip on premium cocktails; bid on memorabilia from Texas sports legends; and enjoy plenty of game-day fun.

Cowboys fans, sport those jerseys in support of the Dak & company, who'll be taking on the New York Jets that afternoon. Big screens will be up around the venue.

Following up on the success of last year’s Ultimate Wing Showdown, readers will get to vote for their favorite taco joint of 2025 in CultureMap's Top Taco Tournament (coming soon). The winner will be revealed at the party.

We'll continue to keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.

Get your tickets now ($50) before they sell out, and use the special code HOLLAND at checkout for $10 off.

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The Tailgate is sponsored by FLIGHT by Yuengling, Sportsmo, Puttshack, Mizzen+Main, Antone's Famous Po' Boys, NXL LVL Events, and more to be announced.

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World Cup Fun

Halperin Park hosts free World Cup watch parties for USA & Mexico games

Bandshell and LED screen at Halperin Park

Photo by Kathy Tran

Halperin Park in Dallas will show all U.S. and Mexico World Cup Group stage games on a large LED screen.

Dallas' newest park is joining the lineup of FIFA World Cup watch party sites: Halperin Park will host free public viewing events for six matches featuring the U.S. Men's National Team and Mexico's national team.

Starting with the very first match of the tournament, Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 at 2 pm, the new bridge park will show the teams' games on their 300-square-foot LED wall, as well as several other large-scale LED screens throughout the park.

Fans will be able to watch the live broadcasts from under the bandshell or the Great Lawn in the park.

Kids playing soccer at Halperin Park in Dallas The Great Lawn at Halperin Park will be a prime viewing spot for the World Cup Watch Parties. Photo by Kathy Tran

The United States opens their World Cup play on June 12 at 8 pm with a game against Paraguay.

The two teams will play on back-to-back days for the remainder of the Group stage:

Mexico vs. South Korea - June 18 at 8 pm
USA vs. Australia - June 19 at 2 pm
Mexico vs. Czechia - June 24 at 8 pm
USA vs. Türkiye - June 25 at 9 pm

Each watch party will feature local DJs and other cultural showcases, an assortment of food trucks, and access to the park’s signature amenities such as the Great Lawn, children’s playground, and interactive water features.

In addition, the park will offer special football-themed versions of its programming all month long, including story time, craft zone, face painting, and more.

"We wanted to create a safe, welcoming and high-energy environment where families can experience the magic of the World Cup right in their own backyard,” said April Allen, President and CEO of Halperin Park and the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, in a statement. “Whether you are wearing green, white and red for El Tri or red, white and blue for the USMNT, we are turning Dallas’s newest public green space into an outdoor living room where fans can connect, cheer, and make unforgettable memories.”

A giant soccer ball sculpture at Halperin Park will be a great selfie opportunity during their World Cup Watch Parties. Photo courtesy of Halperin Park

The events will also feature activations from World Cup sponsors and local partners. Highlights include a life-size replica of Adidas' official World Cup match ball, a McDonald's photo bus and children's activities, Michelob ULTRA fan viewing areas, and complimentary sunscreen provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center.

There is no word if the park will continue to host watch parties should either team advance past the Group stage.

Self-parking is available at the Dallas Zoo surface lot and parking garage, with convenient crosswalk access to the park from Ewing Avenue. Fans are encouraged to take DART, which has a stop at the Dallas Zoo, or rideshare services when possible.

Halperin Park opened in spring 2026 as a five-acre deck park spanning Interstate 35E between Ewing and Marsalis avenues near the Dallas Zoo. Built over the highway, the park was designed to reconnect neighborhoods in southern Dallas that were divided when I-35E was constructed in the 1950s.

The watch parties are part of a big slate World Cup festivities planned across North Texas. Arlington's AT&T Stadium, dubbed "Dallas Stadium" for the tournament, will host nine World Cup matches, while a FIFA Fan Fest will take place at Dallas' Fair Park and watch parties will take place in bars, parks, and other venues across Dallas-Fort Worth.

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