Downtown Dallas may lose both of its major sports teams as the Dallas Stars consider relocating to Plano after their lease at the American Airlines Center expires in 2031. The Stars’ ownership advisory group recently met and identified Plano as a top candidate for a new arena, according to reports from the Dallas Business Journal and Front Office Sports. Arlington is also being considered as a possible location.
The proposed move would follow the trend of developing sports-anchored entertainment districts, similar to The Battery in Atlanta or Texas Live! in Arlington. These mixed-use developments are designed to encourage fans to spend more time and money in the area surrounding arenas.
Tom Gagliardi, a Canadian hotel and restaurant developer, owns the NHL franchise. The team already has established ties to Collin County, running youth programs in Plano and operating its practice facility and front-office headquarters at the Comerica Center in Frisco. Team president and CEO Brad Alberts confirmed discussions with Plano officials but emphasized that no final decision has been made.
Alberts’ current position marks a change from two years ago when he supported remaining at the American Airlines Center, describing it as “a great place to play for a long time.” The arena, built in 2001 with a capacity of 20,000 seats, serves as an anchor for Victory Park and plays an important role in downtown Dallas’s economy.
The potential move comes as the Mavericks, owned by Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont of Las Vegas Sands, have announced plans to build a new arena before their own lease ends. One possible site is near Dallas City Hall, which may be sold or redeveloped according to reporting by the Dallas Morning News.
If both teams relocate out of downtown Dallas, it would significantly impact the city’s entertainment sector. This development coincides with other major companies like AT&T considering leaving downtown, which could shift economic activity toward suburban areas while reducing business in the city center.
Brad Alberts stated that the Stars are “evaluating all options,” indicating that no decisions are final yet regarding relocation.
