You’re stuck in North Texas traffic on a Tuesday night. The sun is dipping low, hitting the windshield at that annoying angle, and all you want to know is if Corey Seager just launched one into the seats at Globe Life Field. You reach for the dial.
Hearing the crack of the bat over the airwaves is a Texas tradition as thick as brisket smoke. But honestly, trying to listen to Texas Rangers baseball in 2026 isn't quite as simple as just "turning on the radio" like it was back in the 90s. Between regional blackouts, streaming apps that lag, and the sprawling network of rural affiliates, you've gotta know exactly where to point your ears.
The Flagship: 105.3 The FAN
If you're in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the home base hasn't changed. 105.3 The FAN (KRLD-FM) is still the heavy hitter. They signed a big extension through 2027, so they aren't going anywhere.
But here’s the thing: signal strength can be a fickle beast. If you're driving through the concrete canyons of downtown or way out in the sticks of Collin County, FM can sometimes get fuzzy. That’s why the Rangers still use NewsRadio 1080 KRLD as their overflow station. If there’s a scheduling conflict—think Cowboys pre-game or a massive breaking news event—the boys in blue move over to the AM side.
It’s old school. It works.
Who’s on the mic?
You’re listening to legends. Period. Eric Nadel, a Ford C. Frick Award winner, is back for what feels like his hundredth season (actually his 48th, but who’s counting?). He’s the voice of summer. Alongside him, Matt Hicks provides that steady, rhythmic play-by-play that makes you feel like you're sitting in the front row with a cold soda.
👉 See also: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
They don't just call the game; they tell the story of the season.
Streaming and the "Blackout" Headache
Now, let’s talk about the internet. Everyone wants to stream. It’s 2026, we should be able to do this in our sleep, right?
Kinda.
If you are within the Rangers' "home territory"—basically most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and parts of Louisiana—you can stream the radio broadcast through the Audacy app. It’s free. You just search for 105.3 The FAN.
The Catch: If you travel outside that zone, the Audacy stream might cut you off due to MLB’s iron-fisted licensing rules.
✨ Don't miss: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
"I tried listening in Denver on the app and got a local talk show instead of the game."
Yeah, that’s geo-fencing at work. If you’re a displaced Texan living in another state, you basically have two options:
- MLB At Bat: This is a paid subscription (usually around $29.99 for the year). It’s the only way to get the home radio feed anywhere in the world without worrying about locations.
- SiriusXM: They carry every MLB game. The Rangers feed is usually buried in the 800s on the app, or on a rotating satellite channel.
The Texas Rangers Radio Network: Rural Affiliates
Texas is huge. Like, really huge. If you’re driving from Amarillo to Houston, you’re going to lose the DFW signal before you even hit Hillsboro.
The Rangers Sports Network is a patchwork quilt of small-town stations. We’re talking about places like KGNC 710 AM in Amarillo or KTTU 97.3 in Lubbock. These stations are the lifeblood of the fan base outside the Metroplex.
The cool part? These local stations often carry the pre-game shows with Bruce Bochy that you might miss on the big national streams. Honestly, there is something special about hearing the game on a 50,000-watt AM station while driving across the Panhandle at night.
🔗 Read more: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
Spanish Language Broadcasts
We can't ignore the Spanish feed. KZMP 1540 AM handles the Spanish-language broadcasts in North Texas. Eleno Ornelas and Jose Guzman bring a level of energy that—to be blunt—sometimes puts the English broadcast to shame. Even if your Spanish is rusty, the "Jonrón!" calls are universal.
Why Radio Still Beats TV
Television is great, but 2026 has been a weird year for sports media. With the shift to Rangers Sports Network (RSN) via Victory+, a lot of fans are still figuring out how to download apps on their smart TVs or dealing with "screen fatigue."
Radio is different. You can garden. You can grill. You can work in the garage.
More importantly, the radio guys have to describe the vibe. On TV, if a ball is hit to the gap, you see it. On radio, Matt Hicks has to tell you the left fielder is sprinting, his back is to the plate, he’s nearing the warning track—and then the payoff. It’s theater of the mind.
Actionable Steps to Never Miss a Pitch
Stop fumbling with your phone while driving. Do this instead:
- Download the Audacy App if you live in Texas. Favorite 105.3 The FAN immediately. It saves you from scrolling while at a red light.
- Check the AM dial. If you're in a parking garage or a "dead zone" for FM, flip to 1080 AM. It penetrates buildings way better than FM signals.
- Invest in MLB At Bat if you travel for work. For $3 a month, you get Eric Nadel in your ear regardless of whether you're in El Paso or New York City.
- Sync your audio. If you're watching the game on a muted TV at a bar, use the MLB app audio. There’s usually a delay, but many modern receivers let you "pause" the radio stream to match the TV pictures.
The 2026 season is long. There will be hot streaks and heartbreaks. But as long as you've got a signal, you've got a seat at the ballpark. Keep the batteries fresh in that handheld radio; you never know when the power might go out during a ninth-inning rally.