Ford Park is a 221-acre multi-purpose entertainment complex consisting of an

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

, exhibit hall, amphitheater, midway, and 12 youth baseball fields located on I-10 South in Beaumont, Texas. The complex opened in 2003. It is owned by

Jefferson County, Texas Jefferson County is a county in the Coastal Plain or Gulf Prairie region of Southeast Texas. The Neches River forms its northeast boundary. As of the 2020 census, the population was 256,526. The county seat is Beaumont. Jefferson County has ...

and operated by OVG360, a division of the

Oak View Group OVG Oak View Group, LLC is an American Global Advisory, Development and Investment Company for Sports and Live Entertainment industries. Based in Los Angeles, it was formed on November 16, 2015 by Tim Leiweke and his business partner, Irving Azof ...

. It is the home of the South Texas State Fair. In 2020, Jefferson County began negotiations to sell Ford Park to Renaissance Development Group, which would add a

hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a re ...

and a horse-racing track to the complex. The deal fell through in 2022 after Renaissance failed to put additional earnest money towards the $22 million sale price. The Southeast Texas Ford Dealers have held the naming rights to the complex since 2003, a deal which will expire at the end of 2022.

Facilities

Ford Arena The Ford Arena is a 9,737-seat multi-purpose arena in Beaumont, Texas, United States, USA. The arena has 34,000 sq ft of exhibit space available for conventions and exhibitions. It also includes 7 production offices, 3 dressing rooms, a 2,448 sq ...

seats 9,737 people. The arena hosts concerts, rodeos, circuses, motorsports, ice shows and many other special events. It was also the former home to several professional teams including the

Oxford City FC of Texas Oxford City FC of Texas was an American professional indoor soccer team based in Beaumont, Texas. The team joined the Professional Arena Soccer League on September 26, 2012, as the Texas Strikers. Play in the team's inaugural season began in No ...

(formerly the Texas Strikers) of the

Major Arena Soccer League The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is a North American professional indoor soccer league. The MASL features teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. MASL is the highest level of arena soccer in North America. MASL players ...

, the Southeast Texas Mavericks ABA franchise,

Beaumont Drillers The Beaumont Drillers were a professional indoor football team. They played their home games at Ford Arena in Beaumont, Texas. They originally began playing as the Louisiana Rangers in the Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL) in 2000 when ...

of the NIFL, and the

Texas Wildcatters The Texas Wildcatters, who took their name from Texas wildcatters, were a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Beaumont, Texas. They played their home games at the Ford Arena. The franchise previously played in Huntin ...

of the

ECHL The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams scattered across the United States and Canada. It is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...

, and the

Beaumont Panthers The Southeast Texas Panthers, formerly the Beaumont Panthers, are an American basketball team based in Beaumont, Texas, and members of The Basketball League (TBL). History From 2008 to 2011, Southeast Texas was home to a professional basketball t ...

The Basketball League The Basketball League (TBL), formerly North America Premier Basketball (NAPB), is a minor league basketball organization. The league began operating in North America in 2018 with eight teams, and expanded to over 44 teams as of 2022. The Bas ...

. * Ford Exhibit Hall is a multi-purpose hall for exhibits, trade shows, and more. It has of space. The hall includes a 48,000 sq ft dedicated exhibit floor, an 11,000 sq ft lobby/pre-convention space, 8 meeting rooms, 6 loading bays, concession stands, and restrooms. * Ford Fields are 12 youth

softball Softball is a game similar to baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hanc ...

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding t ...

fields. The infields are all-weather synthetic turf. Each field has covered seating with protective netting. Also included are 1,000 onsite parking spots, concession stands, and restrooms. * Ford Midway is a midway for fairs, carnivals, and other large outdoor events. The midway includes two free-span livestock show barns. * Ford Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater, seats 14,000 people. The pavilion includes 2 star dressing rooms, 2 supporting act dressing rooms, 3 production offices, 7 loading bays, a catering/crew room, parking, restrooms, and concessions.

References

External links

Official website
Convention centers in Texas Indoor arenas in Texas Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States Arena football venues Sports venues in Beaumont, Texas Tourist attractions in Beaumont, Texas

Softball Softball is a game similar to baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hanc ...

2003 establishments in Texas Sports venues completed in 2003 Fairgrounds in the United States {{Texas-sports-venue-stub

Facilities

See also

References

External links