Dallas franchise unveils renderings of new $3bn arena project as decision to relocate from city confirmed

Jun 10, 2026 - 15:30

The Dallas Stars are departing American Airlines Center.

The NHL franchise have decided to follow in their NBA co-habitants’ footsteps and leave the Victory Park neighborhood of downtown Dallas when their lease expires in 2031.

Plano City Council released new renderings of the proposed site in Willow Bend

Following the announcement that the Dallas Mavericks had reached a preliminary agreement on a 104-acre site where the Valley View Mall once stood, the Stars unveiled their plans to move to Plano.

There, they have $2.3 billion plans to build a new hockey-specific arena and entertainment district.

Having signed and submitted a non-binding letter of intent to the City of Plano earlier this month,

“I’d like to thank Mayor [John B.] Muns and the entire Plano City Council for their support, and their approval of our letter of intent and several other items connected to the redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend,” Tom Gaglardi, owner, governor and chairman of the Stars, wrote in a statement on Tuesday.

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“We look forward to taking the next steps in the journey toward making Plano our new home in 2031.

The first image renderings have since been made available to the public.

The development has been proposed to take place at the Willow Bend mall location, and one initial rendering showcases an eagle-eye perspective of the site.

In that image, the ice hockey arena is situated in the back left of the complex, illuminated in neon green and boasting a giant Dallas Stars logo.

It appears to be surrounded by a vast amount of buildings ranging in size from mid-rise to high-rise buildings, with hotels and apartments included.

Back in 2025, Plano City Council approved plans that called for 800,000 square feet of retail, hospitality and entertainment space, as well as up to 965 residential units, office buildings and a high-rise hotel.

The hockey arena will sit at the heart of an extensive redevelopment project

The arena alone is projected to cost $1 billion, with the City of Plano agreeing to contribute $700 million in funding

However, these plans are deemed flexible.

Funding plan approved but other boxes need ticking

The City Council has since given approval to a $700 million contribution to help fund the $1 billion Stars arena project, which would see them receive full ownership of the arena.

They would then enter into a 30-year lease agreement with the NHL outfit.

On Monday night, Plano also granted the demolition of Willow Bend in 2027, with which they will contribute $15 million to the developer to do so.

However, the deal isn’t fully over the line yet, with the Texas State Comptroller needing to approve a motion to establish a venue tax, as required by state law, with the election tentatively scheduled for November 3.

Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, though, fired huge warning shots to his city over the Stars’ potential move to Plano.

Jake Oettinger #29 of the Dallas Stars defends the net against the Minnesota Wild during the first period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena on April 30, 2026 in St Paul, Minnesota. — The Stars are set to get a new home from 2031

“The knives are out for Dallas. We have a serious, serious situation on our hands. We are in a very cutthroat competition,” Johnson said on June 4.

“I’ve been saying this for years now, and I hope everybody who’s been watching the news this week understands that I wasn’t crying wolf like we are in a very serious competition.

“The wolf is at the door and the wolf is not in this room. The wolf is not in this room. The wolf is up the tollway.”

Plano Mayor John B. Muns said in response on Monday, “I respect Mayor Johnson, but our doors are open. We hope that all goes well, and the Stars will be here in ’31.”

He later said in a follow-on statement, “Plano has built a reputation as a city that welcomes world-class partners and community-focused investment.

“These actions are a significant first step as we evaluate the potential for a thoughtfully designed sports and entertainment district that reflects the priorities and values of our community.”

Other hurdles still need to be addressed, including holding conversations over public safety concerns as it pertains to noise pollution, as well as increased traffic.

The next step for Plano now is to hold two in-person open houses at The Shops at Willow Bend to get a wider understanding of the local community’s view on the proposed project, which is set to take place on July 8 and July 14.

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