Ford Center at The Star

Ford Center at The Star
Danazar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Ford Center at The Star
Location	Frisco, Texas, United States
Opened	2016
Owner	City of Frisco / The Star Development
Operator	Dallas Cowboys / The Star Development
Capacity	12,000 (configurable)

Ford Center at The Star is an indoor, multiuse stadium and practice facility in Frisco, Texas, associated with the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL, and the larger mixed-use development The Star. The venue serves as a practice complex, event space, and community hub connected to the Cowboys' headquarters, the National Football League, and regional sports organizations. The facility has hosted athletic competitions, corporate events, and entertainment productions linked to major franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys, FC Dallas, and collegiate programs.

Overview

The complex is part of a planned development by the City of Frisco, the Dallas Cowboys, and The Star Development, integrating commercial real estate, hospitality, and sports facilities connected to organizations like the National Football League, Major League Soccer, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The venue's role intertwines franchises including the Dallas Cowboys, FC Dallas, and entities such as the Frisco Independent School District and Texas Christian University via events and partnerships. Its position in Collin County relates to metropolitan planning with the City of Frisco, Denton County transit initiatives, and Dallas–Fort Worth regional development authorities.

History and Development

Planning began amid negotiations between the Dallas Cowboys ownership, led by Jerry Jones, and municipal leaders in Frisco, involving stakeholders like the Frisco Economic Development Corporation and Hillwood Investment Properties. Groundbreaking aligned with projects from HKS, Inc., and architectural collaborators who previously worked on American Airlines Center and AT&T Stadium, placing the facility within a lineage that includes projects by Populous and Gensler in sports architecture. Financing mechanisms involved public-private partnerships resembling arrangements used by MetLife Stadium and Levi's Stadium, and construction drew contractors experienced with Turner Construction Company and Manhattan Construction Group. The opening in 2016 followed scheduling similar to events at AT&T Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and CenturyLink Field.

Facilities and Design

Designed by architectural firms experienced with sports venues, the center features a retractable roof concept analogous to designs at NRG Stadium and State Farm Stadium, and a configurable bowl reflecting principles used at Madison Square Garden and Staples Center. Interior elements include turf surfaces meeting standards from the NFL and NCAA, locker rooms comparable to those at Gillette Stadium and Lambeau Field, and broadcast infrastructure compatible with networks such as ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and CBS Sports. The complex integrates hospitality spaces like those at Four Seasons, Omni Hotels, and Marriott properties, conference facilities similar to those in McCormick Place, and training amenities reflecting the Institute of Sports Medicine and performance centers at IMG Academy and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Events and Tenants

Primary tenants include the Dallas Cowboys organization, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and youth programs connected to FC Dallas and Major League Soccer academies, alongside partnerships with collegiate programs like the University of Texas, Oklahoma State University, and Texas A&M for camps and showcases. The venue has hosted events paralleling those at the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, NFL Draft showcases, NCAA tournaments, and high school state championships operated through University Interscholastic League frameworks. Concerts and entertainment bookings align with tours by artists represented by Live Nation, AEG Presents, and major labels like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. Community programming collaborates with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity for outreach and charity events.

Transportation and Access

The site is accessible via regional highways including the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. Route 380, with connections to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field, and Amtrak services serving Dallas. Local transit coordination involves Dallas Area Rapid Transit initiatives, Denton County transportation planning, and Frisco Independent School District routing for scholastic events. Parking and traffic management employ strategies similar to those used at AT&T Stadium, Toyota Stadium, and Globe Life Field, while pedestrian and bike access reference multimodal plans seen in Portland Streetcar and San Diego Trolley cooperative developments.

Economic and Community Impact

The development has influenced local economic indicators tracked by the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, affecting commercial real estate markets similar to developments in Arlington, Miami Gardens, and Inglewood. It has generated employment with contractors and service providers akin to labor patterns at MetLife Stadium, Levi's Stadium, and Barclays Center, and spurred ancillary growth in retail, hospitality, and residential sectors comparable to projects led by Related Companies and Hines. Community partnerships have tied into local education and nonprofit networks including Collin College, University of North Texas, the YMCA, and regional chambers of commerce, aligning civic programming with models used by the NFL Foundation and Major League Soccer Foundation.

Category:Sports venues in Texas Category:Frisco, Texas Category:Dallas Cowboys Category:National Football League facilities