The Dallas Stars are preparing to construct a purpose‑built hockey arena in Plano, a suburb that sits just north of Dallas. The project, championed by Stars President Brad Alberts, is being positioned as a catalyst for broader growth in the region’s ice‑sport ecosystem.
If the venue materializes, it could serve as the home base for a future Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) franchise, with league officials eyeing a Dallas‑Fort Worth entry as early as 2031. The prospect comes as the PWHL has been on an aggressive expansion trajectory, having added teams in Las Vegas and other non‑traditional markets over the past year.
The league’s rapid growth is underpinned by a single‑entity ownership model led by TWG Global, the sports investment group founded by Mark Walter. Walter’s consortium has already overseen the launch of franchises in markets such as Boston, Minneapolis and Montreal, and the Dallas proposal would extend that footprint into the heart of Texas.
Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, who also controls the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League and the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, has a track record of supporting grassroots hockey initiatives. His organization has invested heavily in youth programs, with more than 40 percent of participants now being girls, a statistic that league officials say reflects a deepening talent pipeline.
While the timeline remains tentative, the potential arrival of a PWHL team would mark a significant milestone for women’s professional hockey in North America. It would not only provide a new professional destination for elite female players but also reinforce the Stars’ commitment to diversifying its sporting portfolio.
Implications for the Dallas Market
Local officials have indicated that the new arena could generate substantial economic activity, from job creation during construction to increased tourism for games. The city of Plano has already begun preliminary discussions about infrastructure upgrades to accommodate larger crowds.
Fans in the region have responded enthusiastically to the prospect of top‑level women’s hockey, with social media campaigns already rallying support for a Dallas franchise. The excitement mirrors the buzz that surrounded the league’s recent Takeover Tour stop in Dallas, where the PWHL’s first game on Dec. 28 drew a sold‑out crowd.