Heather Hannasch, her kids Oliver Gloria, 12, and Evelyn Gloria, 9, and their grandmother, Valerie Hannasch, offer refreshments from their backyard lemonade stand just outside of AT&T stadium July 3, 2026 in Arlington.
Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News
ARLINGTON — As tens of thousands of soccer fans head toward Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) for the FIFA World Cup, many make a pit stop at a children’s lemonade stand.
Along the stretch of Arlington homes leading to the stadium, Bumblebee’s Backyard Lemonade stands out with a brown wood fence folded down and open for business. The backyard fence is decorated with flags from around the world and signed maps from visiting fans.
The stand, sitting on Pennant Drive between Road to Six Flags Street and AT&T Way, has become a part of the World Cup experience in Arlington.
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Match after match, hundreds of fans stop for a cup of $2 fresh lemonade before continuing to the stadium. On a recent weekday when temperatures topped out in the 90s, the line for lemonade rivaled that to get inside the stadium.
Heather Hannasch and her kids offer freshly squeezed lemonade from their backyard lemonade stand just outside of AT&T stadium July 3, 2026 in Arlington.
Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News
Young sibling entrepreneurs Oliver Gloria, 12, and Evelyn Gloria, 9, stand behind the bar with hand-painted signs and large smiles, pouring lemonade and chatting with strangers of all ages from across the world. The two have captured the hearts — and stomachs — of soccer fans on their way to the big game.
Behind the stand
The business was years in the making. The family, who moved into their home a decade ago, had long watched fans pass through their street to get to the stadium for Cowboys and Rangers games. When the children’s parents bought the home last year, they renovated the fence facing the stadium route to include a fold-down bar.
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“We just hadn’t gotten around to making it happen yet. And then we thought that the World Cup would be a perfect time,” said Ernesto Gloria, the children’s father.
Oliver and Evelyn decided to name the stand after the insects that are vital for growing healthy, bountiful lemons: bumblebees. “It was my idea, because bees pollinate and help make lemons,” Evelyn said.
Oliver and Evelyn helped paint signs and tested lemonade recipes with their cousins to find the perfect formula. “The recipe is a secret, but it’s really good lemonade,” Oliver said.
The process of preparing the stand before each big game is a family operation. The night before, they juice lemons, then prepare syrups. About three hours before kickoff, the stand opens for business.
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They have continually added decorations and small touches after each match. “My favorite is the Messi piñata,” Oliver said.
The stand sells homemade bracelets and other sodas alongside its lemonade. Each product is $2. They accept cash and credit cards.
In Texas, kids can legally run lemonade stands without a permit. State law protects anyone under 18 from needing permits or paying fees for occasional lemonade sales, which must be on private property or in public parks.
Keeping the prices low
Ross Johnson, 30, received tickets for Friday’s game in a raffle. Half of his friends also attending the game were rooting for Egypt, with the others pulling for Australia.
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Related: Full coverage: Egypt makes history in World Cup win over Australia at Dallas Stadium
Emeka and Ngozi Ezike, from Nigeria, sign the guest book at a backyard lemonade stand just outside of AT&T stadium July 3, 2026 in Arlington.
Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News
They were enticed to the lemonade stand by the low prices. “It’s way cheaper than buying it in the stadium,” he said.
Low prices were a priority for the family while planning the stand.
“We really just wanted people to be able to afford it, and to be able to stop by and interact and not feel pressured to spend, because we know how expensive the games are,” Heather Hannasch, the children’s mother, said.
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She estimates the stand has received around 300 customers each day a World Cup match has taken place.
With lines stretching across the backyard, Oliver handles the cash transactions, distributing change to customers, and Evelyn uses a credit card reader to check people out.
Oliver said the money from the stand, which the family says is profitable, will be saved for “college, video games and toys.”
“At the end of each night, Oliver and I count up the money and figure out how much we spent versus how much we made,” Hannasch said. “It’s been a great opportunity to teach what it really takes to run a business, while also getting to see them interact with people from all over the world.”
Sara Mills, 45, and her extended family caught the “World Cup fever” and attended Friday’s game. They stopped at the stand during the long walk to the stadium for a respite from the heat.
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“We’re supporting the local people living here,” Mills said. Her family signed the welcome book offered at the stand and peered at the world maps hung on the fence.
“We love it, it’s so festive and fun.”
Jose Chavez signs the guest book at a backyard lemonade stand just outside of AT&T stadium July 3, 2026 in Arlington.
Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News
More than business
For the family, it’s more than just selling drinks. Hannasch said the stand has become “a little oasis to and from the stadium where we get to connect with others.”
A family that had flown from California to watch the Argentina vs. Jordan game arrived at the stadium carrying all their luggage. Hannasch offered to keep their bags at the house while they watched the game.
“They were so grateful,” Gloria said. “We’ve also helped people charge their phones, given directions and watched belongings. Those little things outside of the lemonade stand have been really great.”
Several interactions with fans have left lasting impressions with the family.
Hannasch recalled Oliver complimenting customers’ outfits on game day, leading one fan to give him the bandana off his own head. Another group admired the stand’s posters, so the Gloria family gave it away, and the visitors left behind a Japanese-style mask for Evelyn.
Heather Hannasch, her kids Oliver Gloria, 12, and Evelyn Gloria, 9, and their grandmother, Valerie Hannasch, pose for a portrait at their backyard lemonade stand just outside of AT&T stadium July 3, 2026 in Arlington.
Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News
“I think just how great people are and how diverse the world is,” Gloria said. “Getting the opportunity to meet people from all over, ask questions and hear their stories has been incredible. There’s so much negativity online, but when you’re face to face with people, everybody feels that sense of community through sport.”
For the family, that spirit is what they hope visitors remember most.
“It’s just been really fun to have that connection and community with so many people,” Hannasch said. “In a really heavy news cycle, it’s been nice to share moments of joy.”
When the World Cup comes to a close, Bumblebee’s Lemonade Stand likely won’t disappear. The family plans to set up shop for upcoming Rangers games and other events the stadium holds, “as long as the kids are excited about it,” Gloria said.
Staff writer Lola Jahant contributed reporting.