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People enter the arena floor during a farewell event for the Fort Worth Convention Center arena on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Hundreds of spectators entered and exited the Fort Worth<\/a> Convention Center\u2019s doors Sunday afternoon for the arena\u2019s final event, each person following one of seven colorful painted lines representing a piece of the building’s past.<\/p>\n The community gathered for a shared cause: to celebrate and honor the convention center\u2019s impact on Fort Worth\u2019s history and welcome its future.<\/p>\n A framed photo of Elvis Presley\u2019s concert in June 1974 is seen during a farewell event for the Fort Worth Convention Center arena on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News An exterior view of the Fort Worth Convention Center arena on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News Tickets from various concerts including The Rolling Stones and ZZ Top are seen on display during a farewell event for the Fort Worth Convention Center arena on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n The event, named \u201cIt\u2019s Goin\u2019 Down,\u201d was held before the arena\u2019s planned demolition in early 2027 to make way for the second phase of a $701 million expansion and modernization<\/a>. From iconic concerts and religious gatherings to sports events and political campaigns, the center has done it all in its 58 years of operations.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n People of all ages lined up inside for custom balloon animals and photo opportunities, taking their pick between statues of a giant silver cowboy boot, a lion and a longhorn. Others weaved through the crowd and stopped only to take a bite of brisket nachos or skim 10 giant historic boards that formed a maze in the arena\u2019s center.<\/p>\n Andra Bennett, with the convention center’s public events department, said Sunday’s turnout exceeded staff expectations and was a true testament to the nostalgia of the arena. The event space has meant so much to many people, she said, and it has played a role in milestone events and generations of memories.<\/p>\n People walk between historical displays on the arena floor during a farewell event for the Fort Worth Convention Center arena on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n \u201cFor generations, the Fort Worth Convention Center has been more than a destination for visitors,\u201d one exhibit read. \u201cIt has been a gathering place for the people who call Fort Worth home.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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