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DALLAS CONVENTION WATCH
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Turn on alerts for material schedule, entry, transportation, security and hazardous-weather changes.
DALLAS FORECAST
Tonight: 40% rain and storm chance
101°Wed · Sunny
79°Thu night · Low; 40% rain chance
NWS now forecasts a 40% rain chance tonight, with showers and thunderstorms possible before 1:00 AM Friday, then a slight chance of showers. Recheck conditions before leaving AAC and boarding return shuttles; follow staff directions. Last verified September 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM CT.
Refresh the NWS forecast →TRANSIT ALERT
Victory Station is closed
DART and TRE trains will not stop at Victory Station Sept. 8–10. Roads around the arena are also restricted.
YOUR CONVENTION DAY
The route that gets you inside
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1
10:00 AM
Lone Star Park gates open
Ticket pickup1000 Lone Star Pkwy, Grand Prairie. Enter from Lone Star Parkway and follow signs for Gates 4 & 5 or “Midterm Convention Parking.”
Already credentialed? You may instead go directly to the pedestrian checkpoint at North Houston Street and Museum Way. Direct-entry gates opened at noon.
Navigate to ticket pickup → -
2
By 1:00 PM
Pick up and register your ticket
Bring the official confirmation email. Each guest must appear in person, receives one physical ticket, scans the QR code on the back, and wears the provided lanyard.
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3
Around 2:00 PM
Board the GOP Express
The free shuttle is mandatory for general admission and takes guests directly to the Secret Service screening checkpoint at American Airlines Center.
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4
3:00–5:00 PM
Opening block programming
Find your seat, locate concessions and Guest Relations, and settle in before the official prime-time program.
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5
5:00–9:00 PM
Official program
No GOP Express shuttles run during this block. Return shuttles leave for Lone Star Park after programming concludes.
SAVED ON THIS DEVICE
Ready-to-go checklist
QUICK REFERENCE
My ticket details
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✓Use verified linksOfficial instructions can change with little notice.
Official convention site
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Watch live
2026 REPUBLICAN MIDTERM CONVENTION · DALLAS CONVENTION WATCH
Latest Updates
What changed, what it means for your visit, and where to verify it.
History started September 8, 2026. Entries are newest first. The initial heat and transit entries were backfilled from notices already included in the guide; their dates refer to this history, not notification delivery. All event times are Central.
Tonight's rain and storm chance increases to 40%
Affects: Thursday evening, September 10, including return travel after programming, through 1:00 AM Friday, September 11.
What changed: NWS raised tonight's precipitation chance from 30% to 40%, with showers and thunderstorms possible before 1:00 AM, followed by a slight chance of showers. Its afternoon forecast also restored a 30% storm chance, superseding the morning's daytime forecast.
Attendee action: Recheck weather before leaving AAC and boarding return shuttles. Follow event staff directions if storms affect outdoor boarding. This is a forecast update, not a severe-weather warning or an announced shuttle change.
Verified September 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM CT on the official NWS Dallas forecast.
Credentialed guests may use the arena pedestrian checkpoint
Affects: Thursday, September 10, from noon through arena entry.
What changed: Official GA guidance now says guests who already have their credentials may go directly to the pedestrian checkpoint at North Houston Street and Museum Way. Those gates opened at 12:00 PM Central. Guests who still need a ticket must continue to Lone Star Park for in-person pickup and the GOP Express.
Attendee action: If you already possess your convention credentials, use the North Houston Street and Museum Way pedestrian checkpoint and follow security instructions. If you only have a confirmation email or still need a physical ticket, do not use this shortcut—go to Lone Star Park and follow the ticket and shuttle process.
Verified September 10, 2026 at 12:39 PM CT on the official General Admission Guest Guidance page.
NWS removes Thursday's daytime storm chance
Superseded: NWS restored the afternoon storm chance and raised tonight's precipitation chance to 40%. Read the newer forecast.
Affects: Thursday, September 10, including arrival at Lone Star Park, afternoon shuttles and the evening return-shuttle period.
What changed: The NWS 1:26 AM forecast now calls for a sunny, hot Thursday near 100°F with a heat index up to 104°F and no daytime rain chance. The previous forecast had a 30% storm chance after 4:00 PM and 40% Thursday night before 10:00 PM. The new forecast keeps a 30% storm chance Thursday night, mainly before 1:00 AM.
Attendee action: Continue heat precautions during outdoor ticket and shuttle lines. Rain is no longer forecast during daytime arrival or programming, but recheck conditions before return-shuttle boarding because an overnight storm chance remains. This is a forecast update, not an announced shuttle change or severe-weather warning.
Verified September 10, 2026 at 3:12 AM CT using the NWS forecast issued at 1:26 AM CDT. Forecasts can change.
Official Thursday lineup lists Vance and Trump from 8–9 PM
Affects: Thursday, September 10, 3–9 PM Central, especially the 8–9 PM block.
What changed: A detailed official Thursday lineup is now posted. It lists both Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump in the 8–9 PM CT block, adding Trump to the guide's previously reported Vance-only block. Newly named participants include Ross Ulbricht at 6–7 PM. This official lineup replaces the September 8 Current Revolt report attributed to GOP Comms.
Source discrepancy: The page's fast facts again say Vance keynotes Wednesday, contradicting its detailed Wednesday Trump listing. We report the detailed Thursday block, not the summary as a correction of Wednesday's events. Individual speaking times remain unspecified.
Attendee action: Be seated before 8 PM Thursday for the listed Vance/Trump block. Recheck the official schedule before leaving; follow existing Lone Star Park ticket and shuttle instructions.
Verified September 9, 2026 at 11:12 PM CT. Program subject to change.
Thursday storm chance extends into the evening
Affects: Thursday, September 10, especially after 4:00 PM and the evening return-shuttle period. All times Central.
What changed: The NWS 12:06 PM forecast raises Thursday's shower and thunderstorm chance to 30%, mainly after 4:00 PM, and 40% Thursday night, mainly before 10:00 PM. The previous forecast tapered to 10% before 7:00 PM. Thursday's high is now near 101°F with a heat index up to 106°F. Wednesday's Heat Advisory still ends at 8:00 PM.
Attendee action: Recheck the forecast before evening departure and return-shuttle boarding. Follow staff directions if storms affect outdoor queues; keep limiting heat exposure. This is a forecast, not an announced shuttle change or severe-weather warning.
Superseded: The newer NWS forecast removes Thursday's daytime storm chance and lowers the heat index to 104°F. Read the latest forecast update.
Verified September 9, 2026 at 12:34 PM CT.
Superseded: Thursday's detailed lineup now lists both Vance and Trump at 8–9 PM, and the summary discrepancy has returned. Read the latest update.
Official keynote conflict resolved: Trump Wednesday, Vance Thursday
Affects: Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10 evening programming.
What changed: The official convention page has corrected its fast facts to name President Trump as the first-night keynote and Vice President JD Vance as the second-night keynote. This resolves the contradiction reported earlier today. Wednesday's detailed official lineup places Trump in the 8–9 PM CT block. Thursday's 8–9 PM time remains from Current Revolt's September 8 report attributed to GOP Comms; a detailed official Thursday lineup is not yet posted.
What to do: Plan for Trump Wednesday and Vance Thursday. Wednesday attendees should be seated by 8 PM. Recheck Thursday's detailed timing before attending.
Verified September 9, 2026 at 11:14 AM CT. Individual speaking times remain subject to change.
Superseded: The official page has resolved this conflict: Trump Wednesday, Vance Thursday. Read the resolution.
Official page now lists Trump in Wednesday's 8–9 PM block
Affects: Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10, from 8:00–9:00 PM CT.
What changed: The convention's official schedule now publishes a detailed Wednesday lineup that places President Donald J. Trump, Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio in the 8:00–9:00 PM Central block. However, the same page's older fast-facts section still says Vice President JD Vance keynotes the first night and President Trump the second night. Because the official page is internally inconsistent and has not yet published a detailed Thursday lineup, the keynote order is not fully resolved.
What to do: Wednesday attendees should be seated by 8:00 PM if they want to see the presidential appearance shown in the detailed lineup. If a particular keynote determines which day you attend, recheck the official schedule immediately before leaving. The guide now uses the official detailed lineup for Wednesday and keeps Thursday's named lineup attributed to the September 8 GOP Comms report.
Verified September 9, 2026 at 9:58 AM CT on the official convention schedule. This supersedes the guide's 3:41 AM definitive keynote-order notice; the program remains subject to change.
Official schedule confirms Vance Wednesday, Trump Thursday
Affects: Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10, from 8:00–9:00 PM CT.
What changed: The convention's official schedule now confirms Vice President JD Vance as the first-night keynote speaker Wednesday and President Donald J. Trump as the second-night keynote speaker Thursday. The official page lists 9:00–10:00 PM ET; that is 8:00–9:00 PM Central in Dallas. This supersedes the September 8 Current Revolt speaker report attributed to GOP Comms, which listed the keynote nights in the opposite order.
What to do: Use the official keynote order when planning your day: Vance Wednesday, Trump Thursday. The detailed named speaker lists elsewhere in this guide remain attributed to the September 8 report unless and until the convention publishes a newer named lineup.
Superseded: The official page later published a detailed Wednesday lineup placing President Trump in the 8:00–9:00 PM block while leaving the conflicting fast-facts language in place. Read the newer update.
Verified September 9, 2026 at 3:41 AM CT on the official convention schedule. The program remains subject to change.
Thursday afternoon storm chance added
Affects: Thursday, September 10, from 1:00 PM through approximately 7:00 PM CT, including arrival, GOP Express boarding and the opening program.
What changed: The National Weather Service's 1:26 AM forecast added a 20% chance of showers from 1:00–4:00 PM and showers or thunderstorms after 4:00 PM, tapering to 10% before 7:00 PM. Thursday remains hot near 100°F, with the forecast heat index reduced slightly to 105°F. Wednesday's heat index is now forecast up to 106°F; its Heat Advisory still runs through 8:00 PM.
Superseded: Thursday's storm chance now extends later into the evening, with a higher heat index. Read the latest forecast update.
What to do: Check the forecast before leaving for Lone Star Park, keep your phone charged for event instructions, and follow staff directions if weather affects outdoor lines or shuttle boarding. Continue heat precautions both days.
Verified September 9, 2026 at 2:39 AM CT using the NWS forecast issued at 1:26 AM CDT. Forecasts and advisories can change.
Thursday heat index now forecast up to 106°F
Affects: Thursday, September 10, including afternoon arrival and shuttle boarding.
What changed: The National Weather Service's 6:06 PM forecast now calls for a Thursday high near 100°F with heat index values as high as 106°F. The Heat Advisory still ends at 8:00 PM Wednesday, but dangerous heat is forecast for both convention days.
What to do: Use the same heat precautions Thursday: hydrate before leaving, wear lightweight clothing, minimize outdoor waiting, and take shaded or air-conditioned breaks when available. Arrive by the official 1:00 PM deadline, but do not wait outside Lone Star Park before gates open at 10:00 AM.
Superseded: The newer forecast lowers Thursday's maximum heat index to 105°F and adds a 20% afternoon storm chance. Read the newer update.
Verified September 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM CT using the NWS forecast issued at 6:06 PM CDT. Forecasts and advisories can change.
Speaker lists added; keynote nights corrected
What changed: The schedule now includes speakers in each hourly block for both days. Current Revolt’s September 8 report, attributed to GOP Comms, lists President Trump’s keynote Wednesday, September 9, from 8–9 PM CDT, and Vice President Vance’s keynote and closing remarks Thursday, September 10, from 8–9 PM CDT. These replace the guide’s earlier reversed keynote assignments.
What to do: Check your selected day’s speaker list. Individual start times are not provided, and the program remains subject to change.
Status: Preserved as the September 8 Current Revolt report attributed to GOP Comms. Its Thursday lineup is superseded by the detailed official lineup. Read the latest schedule update.
Heat Advisory extended through Wednesday evening
Affects: Tuesday, September 8 through 8:00 PM Wednesday, September 9.
What changed: The National Weather Service extended Dallas's Heat Advisory through 8:00 PM Wednesday, so it now covers the first convention day and the afternoon arrival period at Lone Star Park. Wednesday is forecast near 101°F with a heat index as high as 107°F.
What to do: Hydrate before arrival, wear lightweight clothing, limit strenuous outdoor activity, and use shaded or air-conditioned breaks when available. Arrive by the official 1:00 PM deadline, but do not wait outside the Lone Star Park gates before they open at 10:00 AM.
Forecast detail superseded: The Heat Advisory remains in effect, but the newer forecast lowers Wednesday's maximum heat index to 106°F. Read the newer forecast update.
Updated September 8, 2026 using the NWS forecast and advisory checked after the 3:12 PM CDT advisory update. At that verification, Wednesday’s forecast heat index was up to 107°F. Forecasts and advisories can change.
Heat advisory and hotter arrival-day forecast
What changed: The guide now includes a Heat Advisory through 8:00 PM Tuesday, September 8. Tuesday's forecast is 102°F, with a heat index up to 106°F. Wednesday is forecast at 101°F with a heat index near 104°F; Thursday at 100°F.
What to do: Hydrate before arrival, minimize outdoor waiting, and check the latest forecast before leaving. Follow venue rules on containers.
Superseded: The advisory was subsequently extended through Wednesday evening. Read the newer update.
Last verified September 8, 2026. Forecasts can change; this dated entry is not a live weather alert.
Single-car Orange Line trains; Victory Station closure
What changed: The travel guide now notes that Orange Line trains run as single cars on weekdays from September 1 until the State Fair begins September 24. Schedules are unchanged. Victory Station is closed September 8–10, with service resuming September 11.
What to do: Allow for crowding and extra travel time. Do not plan to exit at Victory Station during the closure. General-admission attendees must still report to Lone Star Park for ticket pickup and the GOP Express.
Last verified September 8, 2026. Check DART for subsequent service alerts.
TICKETS · SHUTTLE · SCREENING
Getting in, step by step
These instructions are for general-admission guests. Credentialed guests, media and staff should follow the directions issued with their credentials.
Show confirmation
At Lone Star Park, parking attendants may ask to see the confirmation email before directing you to the convention parking area.
Pick up in person
One physical ticket is issued per guest. Tickets are first come, first served; a request or credential does not guarantee arena entry if capacity is reached.
Register the QR code
Scan the QR code on the back, complete registration and keep the ticket visible. A printed group number may determine when you enter AAC.
Ride the GOP Express
All general-admission guests must use the free shuttle from Lone Star Park. It begins running around 2:00 PM and is ADA accessible.
Clear security
The shuttle drops at the main U.S. Secret Service screening checkpoint. Expect inspection and follow every on-site instruction.
QUICK TOOL
Check your bag size
Enter the outside dimensions in inches. This tool follows the event’s posted limits; screeners make the final decision.
×
×
Clear bags: maximum 12 × 6 × 12 in. Small clutches/wallets: maximum 5 × 7 × 1 in.
POSTED BAG LIMITS
What can pass screening
12 × 6 × 12Clear bag
5 × 7 × 1Clutch / wallet
- Clear bag logos may appear on one side only and cannot exceed 3.4 × 4.5 in.
- Clutch handles or straps cannot exceed 7 in.
- Backpacks, purses, cross-body bags, fanny packs and computer bags are prohibited.
SECURITY LIST
Prohibited items
Convention-specific rules supersede ordinary arena policy. Any item judged to be a safety hazard may be refused.
ALL TIMES CENTRAL
Two-night program
The detailed official Thursday lineup now lists both Vance and Trump in the 8–9 PM CT block. The page's fast facts contradict its Wednesday Trump listing; use the detailed blocks below and recheck before attending. Individual speaking times are not specified.
Source: official convention schedule for both detailed daily lineups, verified September 9 at 11:12 PM CT. The earlier September 8 Current Revolt report, attributed to GOP Comms, remains in update history.
TWO LOCATIONS · ONE REQUIRED ROUTE
Maps and wayfinding
Start in Grand Prairie for ticket pickup and the shuttle. General-admission guests should not navigate directly to the arena.
1
Lone Star ParkTicket pickup · parking · shuttle
GOP EXPRESSRequired for general admission
2
American Airlines CenterSecurity · seating · program
10 AMLone Star Park gates
1 PMRecommended latest arrival
~2 PMShuttles begin
9 PMProgram concludes
FACILITY REFERENCE
Lone Star Park grounds
Convention signs and on-site staff—not normal race-day labels—control where guests line up.
INSIDE THE ARENA
AAC concourses
The official interactive map includes Plaza, Flagship, Platinum, Admiral and Terrace levels.
SEPT. 8 THROUGH APPROX. MIDNIGHT SEPT. 11
Secure-zone street closures
The City of Dallas says planned street closures begin September 8 and are expected to remain until approximately midnight September 11. Expect checkpoints and restricted access around American Airlines Center and Victory Park; rolling motorcade closures may appear elsewhere with little notice.
DRIVE · RIDESHARE · RAIL · AIRPORTS
Getting around without surprises
The general-admission route is intentionally controlled: reach Lone Star Park, pick up your ticket, then use the GOP Express.
GENERAL ADMISSION
Drive and park
Free parking at Lone Star Park is first come, first served. Follow event signs after entering from Lone Star Parkway.
Open directions →Use rideshare
Set the destination to Lone Star Park—not AAC. Rideshare can drop off and pick up at the ticket/shuttle site.
Copy/check destination →Ride the GOP Express
Free, mandatory and ADA accessible. Outbound service begins around 2:00 PM; return service starts after the program. No shuttles run 5:00–9:00 PM, and the Lone Star Park grandstand will not reopen after return.
DART / TRE
MAJOR SERVICE CHANGE
Victory Station closed Sept. 8–10
Green Line, Orange Line and Trinity Railway Express trains will pass through without stopping. DART says a bus shuttle will connect the Field-at-Alamo stop with EBJ/Union Station and West End Station. Orange Line trains are also running as single cars on weekdays through Sept. 24; schedules are unchanged, but allow for crowding and extra time.
General admission: these alternatives do not replace the required Lone Star Park ticket pickup and GOP Express ride.
FLYING IN
Airport-to-hotel options
DFW
Dallas Fort Worth International
DART Orange Line runs from Terminal A toward downtown Dallas. The Silver Line serves Terminal B and North Dallas. Neither goes directly to Lone Star Park.
For convention day, use a car or rideshare from your hotel to Lone Star Park.
DFW transit guide →
DAL
Dallas Love Field
DART Love Link Route 5 connects the terminal with Inwood/Love Field Station for Green and Orange Line service.
Victory Station will be closed during the convention; plan a different downtown stop.
Love Field transit guide →
Real-time travelSecurity and motorcades can change routes quickly.
Waze live map
DART trip planner
Lone Star Park directions
FOOD · COFFEE · HOTELS
Eat, recharge and stay nearby
Plan your main meal before joining the ticket line. Once inside the controlled route, rely on the on-site concessions and do not assume re-entry.
LONE STAR PARK
Concessions from 11:00 AM
Food and beverage kiosks will operate on the West Concourse and in the Courtyard both convention days.
Venue dining information →AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER
All Plaza and Terrace kiosks open
Sales run from doors open until 30 minutes before programming ends. AAC is cashless; bring a card or mobile wallet. Reverse ATMs are available.
Find concessions by level →OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE
Main Plaza Level
The convention store is inside the Michelob Ultra Club and is open from doors open until doors close.
Shop official merchandise →VICTORY PARK
Before or after the program
Hours and access can change during the secure-zone closure. Check the restaurant before heading over, and do not leave the arena expecting re-entry.
AAC PREFERRED HOTELS
Three useful home bases
Hôtel Swexan
2575 McKinnon St · Harwood District
W Dallas – Victory
2440 Victory Park Ln · Victory Park
Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Blvd · Downtown
*Normal walking context from AAC listings. Security barriers and street closures may change the practical route. A hotel near the arena does not remove the general-admission requirement to report to Lone Star Park first.
HEAT · SECURITY · HELP
Know the conditions before you go
Expect dangerous heat, significant security, screening delays and traffic changes around both parts of the day.
HEAT & WEATHER PLAN
Check weather before return travel
NWS forecasts a 40% precipitation chance tonight: showers and thunderstorms possible before 1:00 AM Friday, then a slight chance of showers. Recheck conditions before leaving AAC and boarding return shuttles. Last verified September 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM CT.
- Hydrate before leaving and while concessions are available.
- Wear lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes.
- Follow staff directions if weather affects outdoor lines or shuttle boarding.
- Seek help for confusion, faintness, nausea or worsening headache.
SECURITY PLAN
Pack as lightly as possible
- Use a compliant clear bag or very small clutch.
- Leave prohibited electronics, containers, signs and weapons at home.
- Keep your ticket visible on its lanyard.
- Follow Secret Service and event staff instructions over general arena rules.
TRAFFIC PLAN
Expect rolling closures
- Leave more time than navigation apps predict.
- Use Lone Star Park as the destination for GA.
- Do not count on Victory Station or arena rideshare access.
- Watch for motorcades and sudden police direction changes.
HELP ON SITE
Guest services
Emergency911
AAC Guest Services214-665-4535
DART Customer Information214-979-1111
Dallas city services311
Inside AAC: Guest Relations is across from Sections 104 and 326. First Aid is near Sections 111 and 313.
ACCESSIBILITY
ADA information
The GOP Express is ADA accessible. Limited accessible seating is first come, first served, so early arrival is recommended.
Service and guide animals are permitted; other animals are prohibited.
LAST VERIFIED SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 · 11:12 PM CT
Sources and update status
Official RNCGeneral-admission arrival, shuttle, bags and prohibited items
Official RNCConvention dates, venue and updates
Official venueConcourse, food and guest-service maps
Official venueLone Star Park grounds map
Official transitVictory Station closure and single-car Orange Line service
Official city noticeConvention street-closure period and public-safety planning
Official weatherNational Weather Service Dallas forecast
Independent guideHour-by-hour program reference and background
Independent attendee guide. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by or authorized by the Republican National Committee, the convention, American Airlines Center or Lone Star Park. Official event emails, security personnel and posted instructions always take priority.