Hilliard Center debuts with lighting ceremony, drone show

Corpus Christi's entertainment complex gets a new name and a grand opening celebration.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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After over 20 years as the American Bank Center, Corpus Christi's Bayfront entertainment complex has been renamed the Hilliard Center. The new name and branding were officially unveiled with a lighting ceremony and the first-ever drone light show in the city's history.

Why it matters

The Hilliard Center is a major entertainment venue for Corpus Christi, hosting concerts, conventions, and other events. The name change represents a new era for the complex and a continued investment in the city's cultural and economic development.

The details

The Hilliard Law Firm secured the naming rights to the entertainment complex, which will now be known as the Hilliard Center. A new motto, "Where the Coast Comes Alive," was also introduced. The grand opening celebration featured a lighting ceremony and the first drone light show in Corpus Christi.

  • The Hilliard Center officially debuted on February 10, 2026.

The players

Bob Hilliard

The founder of Hilliard Law Firm, which secured the naming rights to the entertainment complex.

Corpus Christi

The city where the Hilliard Center is located, which is celebrating the new era for this major entertainment venue.

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What they’re saying

“This center, to me and my wife and our name on it, is part of the importance of making sure that we're here every single day. If someone needs us in the law firm, in the community, we're here.”

— Bob Hilliard, Founder, Hilliard Law Firm (kristv.com)

“Corpus Christi may not be the biggest city in the world but it's our city. We want it treated no differently than Houston, San Antonio, or New York. We advocate for it every day to be sure the folks that come to this center get entertained as well as anyone in the world.”

— Bob Hilliard, Founder, Hilliard Law Firm (kristv.com)

What’s next

The Hilliard Center will host its first major event, a concert by a popular music artist, on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The renaming of the Corpus Christi entertainment complex to the Hilliard Center represents a new chapter of investment and commitment to the city's cultural and economic growth. The grand opening celebration showcased the venue's ambitions to provide world-class entertainment experiences for residents and visitors alike.