It’s not a secret that the Dallas Stars have been looking for a new place to hang their skates. While the team’s current home at the American Airlines Center remains their base for now, Dallas City Council member Chad West recently revealed to WFAA that Plano has submitted a formal letter of intent to the NHL franchise.

While Dallas officials have gone public with news of the formal proposal, Plano’s leadership is playing it much closer to the vest and has not publicly confirmed or denied. 

“Plano is known to be attractive to national and international corporations, and we are home to numerous iconic brands,” the city of Plano told Local Profile. “Due to the strong interest in Plano and competition within the region, we do not publicly comment on speculation or economic development projects until they are brought to council for formal adoption.”

Willow Bend In The Spotlight

The Dallas Stars aren’t just looking for a rink; they are looking for a kingdom. Team officials previously stated they require approximately 75 acres to develop a new state-of-the-art arena and a surrounding entertainment district.

In Plano, one location continues to dominate the conversation: The Shops at Willow Bend. The massive footprint of the mall — which is currently eyeing its own redevelopment — offers the exact type of acreage and infrastructure needed for a project of this scale.

A Region-Wide Search

Plano isn’t the only city in the mix, but their formal outreach signals that the competition for the team is accelerating. For their part, the team is keeping its options open as they survey the North Texas landscape.

“The Dallas Stars are continually evaluating all options for the home of our franchise in North Texas,” a team spokesperson previously told Local Profile.

As the 2031 deadline looms, the question isn’t just about where the Stars will play, but which city can provide the best live, work, play ecosystem for a modern professional sports franchise. For now, Plano is making it clear they have the space, the intent and an official offer to bring the NHL to Collin County.

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