Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
Jan. 18-Feb. 9
https://fwssr.com/
Major Sponsors are:
Dickies
Mattress Firm
North Texas Chevy Dealers
Texas Health Resources
Dickies Arena
Seating capacity
Concerts: 12,500 -14,000
Basketball: 13,300
Family Shows & Hockey: 12,200
Horse Shows & Rodeo: 9,300
Cost: Total project cost will be about $540 million, including parking, infrastructure and roads. Public source funding is capped at $225 million.
Funding sources: A group of private-sector participants (foundations, individuals and organizations) will provide half the cost. Public funding from several dedicated sources will pay the other half.
Completion date: Late 2019, in time to host events for the 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Parking: A nearby parking garage has 2,200 spaces on six levels.
Coliseum: The nearby Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, part of the Will Rogers Memorial Center designed by architect Wyatt C. Hedrick that opened in 1936, will continue to serve as a major equestrian venue.
Architect: HKS, architect of record
Contractor: The Beck Group, lead contractor
A familiar face was on hand at the Jan. 15 Fort Worth City Council meeting to make a presentation. As he has done many times, Ed Bass presented council members with their badges to attend this year’s Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
“When I appear the Stock Show is near,” Bass said, drawing a laugh from the council and crowd.
This is the 123rd year for the Stock Show and the 101st year for the Rodeo.
It is the 76th year for the rodeo to be held at Will Rogers Coliseum, and also the last. The event will move to the new Dickies Arena next year. Dickies Arena is set to open in November, but Will Rogers won’t be sitting fallow. It will be used for special events and other Stock Show competitions.
“This is a year for history and maybe a little bit of nostalgia,” Bass said. “I have seen at Will Rogers everything from bull riding to Barney.”
Dickies Arena will kick off Texas style, with country legend George Strait set to play on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. Western Swing purveyors Asleep at the Wheel will open for Strait.
“We are thrilled make Texas legend George Strait our first concert announcement at Dickies Arena,” said Trail Drive Management Corp.’s Matt Homan, president and general manager of Dickies Arena. “This performance will be in one of George Strait’s most intimate arena settings, and we can’t wait to bring this to Fort Worth.”
Dickies Arena is the result of a public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the State of Texas and a group of private-sector participants, including foundations, individuals and organizations. The arena will be owned by the City of Fort Worth and managed by the not-for-profit operating entity, Trail Drive Management Corp. (TDMC).
¬– Rick Mauch; FWBP Staff