The Star Facility

Lore & Background

The project was announced in 2013 as a partnership between the City of Frisco and the Dallas Cowboys as part of the '$5 Billion Mile' in Frisco Station, Texas. The Ford Center is part of a 91-acre development called The Star, which includes the Dallas Cowboys' team headquarters and training facility. The Dallas Cowboys decided to move to Frisco from Valley Ranch, Texas, and now uses The Star for their practice games. Hosting a 300-room Omni Hotel, the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Walk, and retail and restaurant space, it is used for multiple events such as high school graduations and football games. Asides from the main stadium, it features practice fields and a sports training complex called the 'Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research center for sports medicine'. In 2015, the Cowboys and Ford Motor Company signed a ten-year deal for naming rights.

In Their Own Story

Morning mist clings to the pristine turf of the indoor practice field as Texas sunlight glints off the chrome surface of the towering star outside. Inside, the air vibrates with the rhythmic thud of pads and the sharp, echoing commands of coaches. A veteran linebacker adjusts his helmet, casting a glance upward at the massive structure looming over the complex—a silent, steel reminder of the legacy he carries onto the field. Here, in this cathedral of football, legends aren't just remembered; they are forged.

Reader's Guide

The Dallas Rattlers, the first professional team to play their games in the facility, played their first home game at the Ford Center on April 29, 2018, against the Denver Outlaws. The Rattlers won the game in overtime, 15–14 with a reported 7,217 attendance. The Rattlers ceased operations after the 2019 season. The Texas Revolution of Champions Indoor Football signed a three-year lease to play home games at the Ford Center beginning with the 2019 season, but after three home games the team was evicted and ceased operations. Major League Lacrosse hosted the 2017 Steinfeld Cup at the Ford Center. Conference USA held its men and women's basketball tournaments from 2018 through 2023 at The Star. The venue hosted a welterweight world championship boxing match on June 16, 2018, and a WBO light heavyweight title fight on February 2, 2019. Bob Seger performed at The Star on March 9, 2019. The Alliance of American Football was scheduled to hold its 2019 championship game at The Star on April 27, but it wasn't played. The East–West Shrine Bowl moved to Ford Center for its 2024 playing and returned for the January 2026 edition. The Dallas Open is a men's indoor hardcourt tennis tournament relocated there from Uniondale, New York.

Did You Know?

• The Ford Center at The Star has 12,000 seats.
• The synthetic turf is Hellas Matrix Helix Turf.
• The Dallas Rattlers were the first professional team to play home games at the Ford Center.
• The venue hosted the 2017 Major League Lacrosse championship game.
• Bob Seger performed at The Star on March 9, 2019.

Origins and Development

The Ford Center at The Star emerged from a strategic partnership announced in 2013 between the City of Frisco and the Dallas Cowboys, serving as a cornerstone of the ambitious "$5 Billion Mile" initiative within Frisco Station. This 91-acre complex represents the team's significant relocation from their historic Valley Ranch headquarters to a state-of-the-art facility designed for modern training and community engagement. In 2015, the venue secured its identity through a ten-year naming rights agreement with Ford Motor Company.

Primary Function as Cowboys Hub

Serving primarily as the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility, the Ford Center is integral to the franchise's daily operations and preparation. It replaced Valley Ranch as the central hub where the team conducts its training games and rigorous physical conditioning. The complex is not merely a stadium but a multifaceted headquarters that supports the organization's extensive needs, including specialized sports medicine research through its dedicated therapy center. While the facility hosts high-profile events, its core identity remains tied to supporting the NFL team's competitive edge. The venue also plays a vital role in local youth development by hosting Whataburger's Friday Night Stars every week during the football season, showcasing varsity teams from the Frisco Independent School District. This dual purpose allows the Cowboys to maintain their professional standards while deeply embedding themselves within the community fabric of Frisco.

Professional Sports Tenure and Challenges

The arena has served as a temporary home for several professional franchises, though with varying degrees of success. Major League Lacrosse made history here when the Rochester Rattlers relocated to become the Dallas Rattlers in late 2017, playing their inaugural home game on April 29, 2018. However, the franchise ceased operations following the 2019 season. Similarly, the Texas Revolution of Champions Indoor Football signed a lease for the 2019 season but faced immediate financial instability; after just three home games, they were evicted and subsequently folded due to ownership failing to meet financial obligations. These episodes highlight the venue's potential as a professional sports host while underscoring the economic volatility inherent in such partnerships.

Diverse Event Portfolio and Legacy

Beyond team-specific activities, The Star has established itself as a premier destination for major sporting tournaments and entertainment spectacles. It hosted the Conference USA men's and women's basketball tournaments annually from 2018 through 2023 in partnership with local institutions. The venue also attracted high-stakes boxing matches, including Errol Spence Jr.'s IBF title defense in 2018 and a WBO light heavyweight championship bout between Eleider Álvarez and Sergey Kovalev the following year. Music events have featured performances by legends like Bob Seger. Although planned events like the Alliance of American Football championship were cancelled due to league suspensions, the arena continues to secure significant contracts, such as hosting the relocated Dallas Open tennis tournament.