The Dallas City Council approved an agreement for WNBA’s Dallas Wings to make the move to a downtown venue.

The Dallas City Council has given the green light for a 15-year, $19-million use agreement that will see the WNBA’s Dallas Wings play at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center‘s Memorial Auditorium. The decision, made on Wednesday, is part of a larger redevelopment plan for the historic auditorium and its surrounding area.

The Wings’ move from Arlington to downtown Dallas was championed by Mayor Eric L. Johnson, who established the Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention in 2022. The committee began meetings with Wings officials the same year.

The mayor expressed his excitement for the move, stating, “Now is the right time to provide our world class athletes with a world class venue to train and play and our fans with a best-of-class arena to call home.”

Greg Bibb, President & CEO of the Dallas Wings, highlighted the timing of the deal, noting the growing interest in the WNBA and the Wings. The team experienced record attendance in 2023 and expects business metrics to break records in the 2024 season.

The 15-year use agreement for the Memorial Auditorium, which also includes an optional 15-year extension, is set to start after the 2025 season, pending approval by the WNBA.

The Memorial Auditorium, originally a standalone building, is currently connected to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The auditorium was designed by renowned Dallas architect George Dahl and has hosted legendary musical acts and served as the home of the Dallas Chaparrals, an American Basketball Association team.

The Council also approved $19 million in incentives over three years, which will be offset by anticipated revenues from parking, facility rental, food & beverage, ticket fees, and in-arena advertising exceeding $1.5 million annually. Further details will be released upon WNBA league approval and agreement finalization.