The Fort Worth Convention Center held a farewell bash on Sept. 20, complete with live music and historical exhibits before the building will be demolished in early 2027 to make way for expanded, updated space.
Emily Holshouser
It’s goin’ down, Fort Worth.
On Sept. 20, the Fort Worth Convention center held its last event (titled “It’s Goin’ Down”) before the city’s beloved “flying saucer” arena will be demolished in early 2027 as part of a $700 million project to expand and modernize the convention center.
The cavernous arena was filled with exhibits showcasing the convention center’s history, including tributes to musical artists, political leaders, athletes, and even circus performers who have performed under that iconic domed ceiling. That’s not to mention the events like graduations and baptisms that have been hosted at the convention center, too.
The iconic Fort Worth venue opened in 1968 as the Tarrant County Convention Center, with comedian Bob Hope in attendance. Its stage has been graced by the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and U2.
“There’s generations of incredible memories here, and that’s why we’re today,” said Fort Worth City Council member Michael Crain, who was at Sunday’s event. He recalled seeing Garth Brooks and U2 at the arena. “It’s been a great asset, and I’m sad to see it go. But I’m so excited about what’s going to happen for the future of Fort Worth.”
Miguel Lozano recalled being outside the convention center with his mother on opening day in 1968.
“I was 10 years old,” Lozano said. “I came here with my mom. She passed away in ‘88.”
Donnell Ballard, of Fort Worth — who ran for mayor in 2025 and has been involved in activism around the city — grew up coming to the convention center.
“I worked one time with the Barnum & Bailey Circus here,” Ballard said. “I was the one that was selling cotton candy. For me, it’s mixed feelings … I’ve been coming here for many years.”
Andra Bennett, a spokesperson for the city’s public events department, which manages the convention center, said the demolition of the center’s arena is the next phase in a project that has spanned two decades.
“In 2003, we expanded it on the south side to include more meeting rooms and a ballroom, so that we could compete for larger and more lucrative convention business, and that drives our hotel development and every other business downtown,” Bennett said.
Once Dickies Arena opened in 2019, Bennett said, the convention center became outdated.
“It was planned that [the convention center] would be demolished to build new modernized convention space, and things that convention goers and businesses expect from a building.”
An exact date for the implosion of the convention center arena has not been set, Bennett said. Plans for the second phase of the expansion were revealed to city officials in February.
This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 5:17 PM.
CORRECTION: Text has been clarified to make it clearer that the arena, not the entire center, is affected.
Corrected Sep 20, 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Emily Holshouser is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.