The long-awaited transformation of Memorial Auditorium took a visible step forward Friday as Dallas officials released new design renderings for the downtown arena expected to house the Dallas Wings beginning in 2027.
In a memo to City Council members, Assistant City Manager Robin Bentley confirmed that the design phase is complete and that architecture and engineering teams will now begin producing construction documents.
The reveal marks a significant milestone in the broader redevelopment of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center campus — a project city leaders view as central to downtown revitalization and a key component of Dallas’ preparations for hosting FIFA World Cup events next year.
Arena to Seat More Than 9,000 and Support Multiple Event Formats
The newly imagined venue is projected to seat more than 9,000 fans in certain configurations and approximately 8,400 for basketball games. Preliminary images show a redesigned seating bowl and multiple event layouts, underscoring the city’s plans for a flexible arena capable of accommodating concerts, esports, comedy tours, WWE events and other large gatherings in addition to WNBA games.
City officials say work on the project began in February, with design teams pushing to create a “cohesive design” that honors the building’s legacy while modernizing its purpose. Bentley wrote that the approach balances sustainability with preservation, noting that new materials will contrast the original brick structure “while shaping a unique, tailored design identity for its next chapter.”
Upgrades Target Fan Experience, Team Spaces and Modern Standards
Along with aesthetic changes, the redesign focuses heavily on functionality. Planned improvements include streamlined entry points, enhanced fan-experience elements, upgraded team performance areas, and structural and code-compliance updates necessary to support a modern arena.
The Wings were originally slated to relocate from UT-Arlington’s College Park Center to the downtown venue in 2026, but delays to the convention center overhaul pushed the timeline back. The franchise is now expected to make the move in 2027 under a 15-year, $19 million use agreement that also includes a dedicated practice facility.
Timeline Shifts, but City Says Project is ‘On Target’ for 2027 Move-In
City leaders have consistently pointed to the Wings — a growing WNBA draw and one of the region’s fastest-rising sports properties — as a centerpiece of downtown activation. The team’s arrival is expected to energize the area with consistent foot traffic and year-round events.
Project costs are still being finalized and will be set during the construction design phase. City staff will bring components to market and provide further updates as the development advances.
Preliminary renderings released Friday emphasize that while Memorial Auditorium’s exterior character will be preserved, nearly every aspect of how the building is used — from seating layout to event versatility — is being reimagined for a new era.
More Dallas Wings News & Rumors
- WNBA News: ‘Maybe She’s Ready’: Geno Auriemma On Paige Bueckers’ Chance To Emerge As Sue Bird Successor For USA Basketball
- WNBA News: Curt Miller Warns Dallas Wings Could Lose Players They ‘Don’t Want to Lose’ In WNBA Expansion Draft
- WNBA News: USA TODAY Mock Draft Projects Azzi Fudd To Dallas Wings With No. 1 Pick
- WNBA News: ‘Super Exciting’: UCLA Star Lauren Betts Reacts To Dallas Wings Winning No. 1 Pick In 2026 WNBA Draft
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers Earns First USA Senior National Team Camp Invitation As Dallas Wings Star Continues Rapid Rise
- WNBA News: Azzi Fudd To Dallas Wings? National Media Momentum Builds For Potential UConn Reunion With Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: Maddy Siegrist Calls No. 1 Pick ‘Super Exciting’ As Dallas Wings Celebrate Back-to-Back Lottery Wins
- WNBA News: ‘This Won’t Be The Same Old Dallas Wings, My Brother’: Jose Fernandez Outlines Vision To Build Winning Culture Around Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: Geno Auriemma Explains Confidence In Jose Fernandez As Ideal Fit For Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Break Ground On New Practice Facility In West Oak Cliff
- WNBA News: “A Great Environment”: Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale Coach Youth 3-on-3 at DICK’S House of Sport Dallas Opening
- WNBA News: “A Whole Bunch of Potential”: Paige Bueckers Embraces Dallas Wings Rebuild Despite Tough Season
