Dallas Stars Considering Plano Suburb for Relocation

The NHL team is in talks with the city of Plano about a potential new arena district at The Shops at Willow Bend.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 10:19pm

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The Dallas Stars have confirmed they are in discussions with the city of Plano, Texas about potentially relocating the NHL team to a new arena in the suburb. While Plano denies having a formal offer on the table, Dallas city officials have stated there is a letter of intent from Plano to the Stars. The Stars' current lease at the American Airlines Center in Dallas is set to expire in 2031, leading the team to explore options outside the city.

Why it matters

The potential Stars relocation highlights the ongoing tensions between the team and the Dallas Mavericks, who also play at the American Airlines Center. With both teams' leases expiring in 2031, the Mavericks' owner has been looking to build a new basketball-first arena, leaving the Stars to potentially find a new home. This move could have major implications for the future of professional sports in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The details

Plano city officials have confirmed they are in talks with the Stars about a potential new arena district at the former Willow Bend Mall site. While Plano denies having a formal offer, Dallas city council member Chad West stated there is a letter of intent from Plano to the Stars. The Stars have not commented publicly on the negotiations, but are expected to make a decision in the coming months so they can break ground on a new facility by 2028 and open it by 2031 when their AAC lease expires.

  • The Dallas Stars' lease at the American Airlines Center expires in 2031.
  • Plano city officials have been in discussions with the Stars for the past year about a potential new arena.
  • Dallas city council members filed a memo on Wednesday to consider using the AAC as the practice and game-day facility for the WNBA team, the Dallas Wings.

The players

Dallas Stars

The NHL hockey team that has played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas since 2001.

Plano

A suburb of Dallas, Texas that is in talks with the Dallas Stars about potentially becoming the team's new home with a new arena district.

Dallas Mavericks

The NBA basketball team that shares the American Airlines Center with the Dallas Stars, but whose owner is looking to build a new basketball-first arena in Dallas.

Chad West

A Dallas city council member who stated there is a letter of intent from Plano to the Dallas Stars regarding a potential relocation.

Miriam Adelson

The owner of the Dallas Mavericks who has been looking to build a new arena in Dallas.

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What they’re saying

“My understanding and I'm not at the negotiation table for the city, none of us in city council are, is that there is a letter of intent that's been presented by Plano to the Stars. The Stars have that. They haven't signed anything. They're in negotiations with the city for how the American Airlines Center could be converted into a Stars-only arena...It's all part of doing business, the Stars want the best deal for themselves and I don't blame them for going out and getting it. But at the end of the day, they're the Dallas Stars and we need to do everything we can to keep them in Dallas. They'll never change their name to the 'Plano Stars.' I don't know why they would even consider that.”

— Chad West, Dallas City Council Member (WFAA-TV)

What’s next

The Dallas Stars are expected to make a decision on their future home within the next few months so they can break ground on a new facility by 2028 and open it by 2031 when their lease at the American Airlines Center expires.

The takeaway

The potential relocation of the Dallas Stars highlights the complex dynamics between professional sports teams and the cities they call home. With the Stars and Mavericks both facing lease expirations, the future of the American Airlines Center and professional sports in the Dallas-Fort Worth area hangs in the balance.