Dallas Stars Plan Move to Suburbs in 5 Years, Leaving Downtown Arena

The Dallas Stars are planning to move their home arena to the suburb of Plano, Texas, in five years, according to a nonbinding letter of intent submitted to the city of Plano. The team's current lease at the American Airlines Center expires in 2031, and they will be joining the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, who are also planning to leave downtown Dallas. The new arena will be part of a large-scale redevelopment project at The Shops at Willow Bend, which will include sports, entertainment, retail, dining, and public gathering spaces. The Stars are expected to anchor the project, which will be built on about 90 acres of land. The team's owner, Tom Gaglardi, said in a statement that the project would be a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' for the franchise. The Stars have a rich history in Dallas, having moved from Minnesota in 1993 and winning their first Stanley Cup title in 1999. The team has been sharing the American Airlines Center with the Mavericks since 2001. The new arena will be a hockey-specific facility, designed to provide a state-of-the-art experience for fans. The project is expected to be a major economic boost for the city of Plano, creating new jobs and opportunities for the community. The Stars are eager to continue their conversation with the city and look forward to the vote by the Plano City Council.