San Antonio Considers Admissions Tax for New Spurs Arena

Proposal aims to shift arena costs to event attendees and reduce reliance on property taxes

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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As Bexar County moves forward with plans for a new Spurs arena, there are growing calls for an admissions tax to help fund the project. Analysis shows the arena vote was closely divided, with wealthier districts supporting it while poorer districts opposed it. An admissions tax could generate over $10 million per year from Spurs tickets alone, reducing the need to use property taxes and other city funds for arena construction and infrastructure costs.

Why it matters

The close vote on the arena funding highlights concerns about equity, with wealthier residents outside the city limits supporting the project while poorer city residents who would bear more of the costs opposing it. An admissions tax could help address these concerns by shifting more of the burden to event attendees rather than relying on property taxes and other city funds.

The details

Under Texas law, cities and counties can use an admissions tax to help finance professional sports facilities. This tax would be added to ticket prices, with the revenue dedicated to paying for the arena. Similar taxes are used in other NBA cities like Denver, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia. Experts say an admissions tax of 10% on Spurs tickets alone could generate over $10 million per year, reducing the need to use property taxes and other city funds for the project.

  • The Bexar County arena vote took place in November 2025.
  • City Council is currently proposing to raise property taxes and stormwater fees to help fund arena infrastructure costs.

The players

Bexar County

The county that includes the city of San Antonio and is responsible for $311 million in funding for the new Spurs arena.

San Antonio City Council

The governing body of the city of San Antonio, which is being asked to contribute an estimated $800 million in public subsidies and $220-$250 million in infrastructure costs for the new arena.

Christine Drennon

An associate professor at Trinity University who analyzed voting patterns on the Spurs arena measure.

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What they’re saying

“The closeness of the election should give city leaders pause, not only because of the equity divide but because the Spurs' campaign relied heavily on representations that 'only tourists will pay' and that city property taxes wouldn't be used.”

— Susan Strawn, Opinion Columnist (expressnews.com)

What’s next

City Council will need to decide whether to pursue an admissions tax to help fund the new Spurs arena, which would require voter approval.

The takeaway

An admissions tax on event tickets could provide a dedicated revenue stream to finance the new Spurs arena, reducing the burden on city property taxpayers and addressing concerns about the equity of the project's funding.