Fort Worth, Texas, otherwise known as Where The West Begins, will add to its portfolio of venues with the planned opening of a $450 million arena that will be called Dickies Arena. The naming rights partner is an appropriate one for “Cowtown” as the locally-based Williamson=Dickie Manufacturing Co. will open in 2019. Groundbreaking began on April 18.
“We’re proud that Dickies Arena will redefine what local entertainment means to our neighbors in Fort Worth,” said Philip Williamson, chairman and CEO of the workwear maker most known for their jeans. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The venue will sit near the Will Rogers Memorial Center in the city’s historic museum district. The first piece of business has already been secured when the first and second rounds of the 2022 March Madness tournament comes to the city. It marks the first time since 1970 that Fort Worth has hosted the prestigious event.
Dickies Arena is a public-private partnership. Local philanthropist Ed Bass, whose name adorns the Bass Performance Hall, is helping raise half of the total from private donors. Public participation is anticipated to top out at $225 million and will be funded through a combination of user taxes approved by voters in 2014.
Many of the events currently held at the Will Rogers Coliseum will relocate to the new facility with the exception of equestrian events. The coliseum was built in 1936 and is home to a famous stock show that brings one million visitors to the city.
