The Dallas Stars have officially put their money where their blueprint is. On July 28, 2026, the franchise named HKS Architects as the lead design firm for their ambitious $600 million arena and entertainment district in Plano, Texas. If that name rings a bell, it should - HKS is the brains behind some of the most iconic sports venues in the world, including SoFi Stadium and the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Now, they're tasked with turning the Stars' vision into a reality at the massive 100-acre site near the intersection of SH 121 and Dallas Parkway, right in the heart of Legacy West.
The scope here is massive, and the numbers keep climbing. The arena budget has grown to $600 million (up from the initial $500 million estimate), but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The full district build-out carries a projected price tag of $3.5 billion, including hotels, office towers, and a 950,000 square-foot mixed-use phase that'll transform the North Texas skyline. With a 360-degree concourse and seating for 18,500 hockey fans, this isn't just a rink - it's a destination. The fan response has been electric, too: the season ticket deposit waitlist has already surged past 22,000 names, proof that Stars Nation is ready to pack the house from day one.
📊 22,000+ season ticket deposit waitlist - The Stars have tapped into a frenzy of demand before a single shovel has hit the ground in Plano.
Final Approval And A Groundbreaking On Deck
The political and financial hurdles are clearing nicely. On August 4, 2026, the Plano City Council voted 6-1 to approve the final development agreement, which includes $250 million in public infrastructure bonds. That's a massive vote of confidence in a project that's been in the works for years. With the paperwork signed and the design team locked in, the Stars are targeting a Q4 2026 groundbreaking - which means shovels could hit the dirt before the calendar flips to 2027. As for naming rights? Still up for grabs. A local telecom firm is reportedly in exclusive negotiations for a 20-year, $180 million deal, but as of August 11, 2026, nothing is official. Stay tuned.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arena Budget | $600 million |
| Full District Cost | $3.5 billion |
| Capacity (Hockey) | 18,500 |
| Site Size | 100 acres |
| Public Infrastructure Bonds | $250 million |
| Target Groundbreaking | Q4 2026 |
Senators Mark One Year At LeBreton Flats With Progress And A Living Roof
It's been exactly one year since the Ottawa Senators broke ground on their $1.5 billion CAD arena at LeBreton Flats, and while the progress is steady, this is a long game. As of the one-year mark on July 31, 2026, the project sits at 3% complete on core site servicing - which sounds modest, but for a project of this scale, it's right on track. The foundation work is where the action is: 1,450 of 4,200 piles have been driven into the soil, and crews are pushing forward with the massive underground infrastructure that'll support the entire district.
The financials remain locked in: the arena itself is fixed at $1.5 billion CAD, with the full district - including a new library, residential towers, and retail space - coming in at $3.8 billion CAD. There have been whispers about supply chain delays on structural steel, but the team's CFO shot those down on August 7, 2026, reaffirming the target opening date of October 2028. The Sens are making a point to stay transparent with fans, and that extends to ticket pricing. On July 29, 2026, the club released partial season ticket pricing: premium lower-bowl seats will run you $349 CAD per game, while upper-bowl options start at a fan-friendly $58 CAD per game. With 5,000 deposit holders already assigned seat selection windows through November, the demand is clearly there.
📊 $58 CAD per game upper-bowl entry point - The Sens are keeping a place for every fan, from corner seats to premium lower bowls.
