From billion-dollar developments to global events, these are the forces reshaping the region
New year, new excitement. From billion-dollar developments to world-class events, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the region’s biggest years yet. Cities like Frisco, McKinney and Plano are buzzing with projects that promise to redefine how locals live, work and play, all while attracting visitors from around the world.
Theme parks, amphitheaters, airports and surf lagoons are just the beginning. The area’s growth is fueling a wave of creativity and investment, transforming once-quiet suburbs into vibrant cultural and entertainment destinations. Kicking off this year, there’s no shortage of reasons to get excited.
Here’s a look at what’s on the horizon for 2026 — the projects, events and moments that will make North Texas the place to be.
Universal Kids Resort
Frisco’s about to become the center of the kid universe. Universal Kids Resort, a $550 million theme park built for families with young children, is set to open in 2026, bringing a whole new world of pint-sized adventure to North Texas.
Kids, universally, will love this. Photo: Universal Destinations & Experiences
The park will include seven imaginative lands inspired by DreamWorks, Illumination and Nickelodeon favorites. Kids (and nostalgic parents) can hang out with Shrek and Donkey, dance with the Trolls, pop into Gabby’s Dollhouse, visit Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob, chase Minions and tiptoe past a friendly baby dinosaur from Jurassic World.
“We envisioned this park through the unbridled creativity of kids, where infinite imagination, curiosity and free-spirited play were core to our design philosophies,” said Brian Robinson, Universal’s creative executive vice president and chief creative officer, in an official statement. “It produced a park that’s pure joy and an absolute celebration of what it is to be a kid.”
Tying it all together is the 300-room Universal Kids Resort hotel, a colorful, family-first retreat that doubles as the main entrance to the park. Construction began in 2023 at the northeast corner of Dallas Parkway and Panther Creek Parkway, with opening day expected in mid-2026. North Texas parents, consider this your future staycation headquarters.
Sunset Amphitheater
Big things are coming to McKinney, and this one’s built for the spotlight. Rising on 46 acres near U.S. 75 and Highway 121, the 20,000-seat Sunset Amphitheater is set to open in late 2026, bringing a major new entertainment hub to one of North Texas’ fastest-growing cities. The project isn’t just about live music; it’s about impact. Over its first decade, the venue is expected to generate more than $3 billion for the local economy, creating jobs, boosting tourism and energizing small businesses across McKinney.
New digs for McKinney’s music scene. Photo: VENU
What makes this amphitheater different? Comfort, class and climate control. With a canopied roof, wind walls for year-round shows and upgraded food and drink options, Sunset Amphitheater is designed to keep visitors coming and locals sticking around.
“This venue puts McKinney on the map as a national hub for live entertainment,” former McKinney mayor George Fuller told Local Profile following the groundbreaking. “It will serve as a cultural anchor, expanding access to the arts and inspiring young creatives to dream bigger. It is a bold, forward-looking investment in who we are and who we want to become.”
The Rail District Revitalization
Frisco’s historic Rail District is getting a major glow-up. A $68 million redevelopment project is underway to boost walkability, add public gathering spaces and give this beloved part of downtown a fresh, modern feel. The plan includes new streetscapes along Main Street and Elm Street, a lively Fourth Street Plaza and a five-story parking garage, all slated for completion in 2026.
An eagerly awaited, walkable hub in historic Frisco. Photo: City of Frisco
The Rail District has always been the heart of Frisco life, a place where farmers once sold their crops, shopkeepers built their businesses and neighbors gathered to trade goods and ideas. That legacy of connection still runs deep.
Today, as Frisco continues to rank among the fastest-growing cities in the country, The Rail District remains its soulful center — a walkable, character-filled neighborhood where small businesses thrive, community events draw a crowd and old-town charm meets new energy.
McKinney National Airport Commercial Terminal
After decades of catering mainly to private planes, McKinney National Airport is getting ready for takeoff, this time with commercial service. The new terminal, set to open in late 2026, will give Collin County residents a much-needed alternative to the long trek to DFW or Love Field.
Airport upgrade: now with gates, snacks and fewer trips to Dallas. Photo: City of McKinney
The 46,000-square-foot terminal will include four gates (with room for six), central food and beverage options, spacious seating and parking for up to six commercial aircraft. Travelers can also expect plenty of convenience, from on-site car rentals to nearly 1,000 public parking spaces, plus a new taxiway and a de-icing area to keep winter travel running smoothly.
“This new terminal is not just an investment in McKinney; it’s an investment in the future of North Texas,” said McKinney mayor Bill Cox. “As our city has grown over the past two decades, we’ve focused on making smart, strategic investments that benefit our residents and the broader region.”
Once operational, the terminal is projected to serve 200,000 passengers a year, with the capacity to grow to over a million. It’s all part of McKinney’s long-term vision: a future-ready airport that fuels economic growth, makes regional travel easier and finally gives local families a closer boarding gate.
2026 FIFA World Cup
The world’s biggest sporting event is about to take over North Texas, and this time, it’s bigger than ever. Starting in June, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams across 16 host cities, making it the largest in history. And right in the middle of the action: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, one of the tournament’s crown jewels and a stage fit for soccer’s global superstars.
Football steps aside, and fútbol takes over. Photo: FIFA
Meanwhile, just up the tollway in Frisco, Toyota Stadium will serve as a FIFA-designated base camp, giving one of the world’s top-ranked teams a home away from home. A $180 million renovation is already underway to deliver top-tier training facilities and fan experiences worthy of the world’s game.
White Castle
For homesick transplants craving a bite of nostalgia, Grandscape just keeps delivering. First came Portillo’s. Next up: White Castle. The Colony’s ever-growing entertainment district is turning into a haven for out-of-state favorites, and this one’s been on Texans’ wish lists for generations. Even John Travolta couldn’t resist a sack of sliders in Saturday Night Fever — proof that nothing fuels a disco strut quite like White Castle.
Your diet called — it’s waving a tiny white flag. Photo: White Castle
After more than 100 years of serving its iconic square sliders from Chicago to New York, White Castle is finally heading south. The legendary burger chain has chosen Grandscape for its first-ever Texas location, marking a milestone moment for fast-food fans and fry enthusiasts alike. Come summer 2026, those tiny burgers are rolling into town, no road trip required.
Dallas Open 2026
Game, set, Frisco. The Dallas Open is upping the ante for 2026, bringing some of the sport’s biggest stars to North Texas. Tournament organizers have confirmed that top-ranked Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton will return to the court, joined by world No. 12 Casper Ruud. The tournament runs February 7-15, 2026, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, better known as the Dallas Cowboys’ home turf.
Proving you can take the tournament out of Dallas, but not the name. Photo: Tony Fay PR
The move to Frisco is still new. After three successful years at SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, the Dallas Open packed up its rackets and relocated in 2025 when it was elevated to ATP 500 status. The switch wasn’t about leaving a great venue; it was about leveling up. The Star offered what the tournament needed most: space to grow, with expanded seating, better parking and upgraded amenities. For Frisco, it’s another ace for a city that seems to collect sports milestones like trophies.
Cannon Beach
Surf’s up, McKinney. Cannon Beach, a $200 million mixed-use development, is poised to bring coastal vibes to North Texas. Spanning 35 acres, the project will combine recreation, tourism and innovation into one ambitious package centered around a massive four-acre surf lagoon.
Landlocked never looked so fun. Photo: Cannon Beach
At the heart of it all will be a resort-style hotel complete with a rooftop pool, wedding and event spaces, and a white-sand beach that feels straight out of the tropics. Guests can lounge in cabanas, order poolside bites or dive into the action (literally) with cliff diving, a stationary surf wave and plenty of water attractions. Surrounding the lagoon will be a full lineup of entertainment and lifestyle amenities, including a skateboard park, a movie theater, a bowling alley, a health club and indoor recreation facilities.
Beyond the fun, Cannon Beach is expected to make waves economically, too, bringing over 700 new jobs, an estimated $2 billion in impact over the next two decades and about 300,000 visitors each year. North Texas might be landlocked, but come 2026, it’s getting its own slice of paradise.
TPC Craig Ranch Renovation
Big changes are coming to McKinney’s championship course. TPC Craig Ranch is undergoing a sweeping $22 million renovation, just in time for the return of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May 2025. The tournament will call Craig Ranch home for the next five years, and the goal is simple: make the course better than ever.
New bunkers, trickier greens, more reasons to blame the course. Photo: Brian Ashcraft | Local Profile
The redesign will be led by World Golf Hall of Famer Lanny Wadkins, marking the first major overhaul since the course opened in 2004. Originally crafted by the late Tom Weiskopf, TPC Craig Ranch has earned a reputation for its rolling terrain, natural creeks and clever layout. But after nearly two decades, it’s ready for a refresh.
Upgrades will include new, more durable turf varieties, a complete bunker redesign and reshaped greens that open the door for trickier pin placements. The result? A more beautiful, more challenging and more competitive course that keeps TPC Craig Ranch firmly among the country’s elite golf destinations.
Local Profile’s 25th Annual Women in Business Summit
For a quarter century, Local Profile’s Women in Business Summit has been where North Texas’ most dynamic women come together to learn, lead and lift each other up, and the 25th anniversary promises to be the best one ever.
The best summit ever! Photo: Tracy Autem & Lightly Photography | Local Profile
Trailblazing leaders from across industries will take the stage to share real stories, fresh insights and strategies for breaking barriers in business and beyond. Expect conversations that challenge the status quo and spark innovation. Join 500 of the region’s most influential women for a high-energy day of inspiration, connection and celebration, all fueled by brunch, bubbles and bold ideas.
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