Comerica Center

Comerica Center (previously Deja Blue Arena and Dr Pepper Arena) is a multi-purpose arena in Frisco, Texas. It is the home of the Texas Legends of the NBA G League and the Frisco Fighters of the Indoor Football League, as well as the executive offices and practice facility of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars. The arena is also used for concerts and other live entertainment events. It seats between 5,000 and 7,000 people and has a 2,100-vehicle parking garage.[1]

Comerica Center
Comerica Center is located in Texas
Comerica Center
Comerica Center
Location within Texas
Comerica Center is located in the United States
Comerica Center
Comerica Center
Location within the United States
Former namesDeja Blue Arena (2003–2008)
Dr Pepper Arena (2009–2019)
Address2601 Avenue of the Stars
LocationFrisco, Texas
Coordinates33.101026°N 96.819624°W / 33.101026; -96.819624
OwnerCity of Frisco
OperatorDallas Stars
Executive suites12
CapacityIce hockey: 3,500
Basketball: 4,000–4,500
Concerts: 7,000 (standing room only)
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Opened2003
Renovated2008–2009
Construction costUS$27 million
US$39 million (renovation)
ArchitectBalfour Beatty/HKS, Inc.
Tenants
Dallas Stars Practice Facility (NHL) (2003–2008, 2009–present)
Texas Legends (NBAGL) (2010–present)
Frisco Fighters (IFL) (2021–present)
Past tenants:
Texas Tornado (NAHL) (2003-2008, 2009–2013)
Frisco Thunder (IntenseFL) (2007–2008)
Dallas Desire (LFL) (2016)
Texas Revolution (CIF) (2018)

Arena information and history

The Comerica Center encompasses the Dallas Stars' practice facility, executive offices, community ice rink and a 6,000 seat multipurpose arena.[2]

The center originally opened in 2003 with a 3,500 seat main venue. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group held the naming rights to the arena from its opening until 2019, but the arena was originally known as the Deja Blue Arena through 2008.

In 2008, the arena was closed to commence a $39 million renovation project, which was completed in June 2009. The renovations increased the arena's capacity to 6,000 seats, and added a 1,000-space parking garage, 12 luxury suites, and a VIP club. Once renovations were complete in the fall of 2009, the arena's name was changed to Dr Pepper Arena (2009-19).[3]

Comerica Bank secured the naming rights on January 18, 2019. The deal, jointly announced between the newly-renamed Comerica Center, Comerica Bank, and the Dallas Stars, also secured the Dallas Stars' partnership with the arena through the 2023-24 NHL season.[2]

Current sports
The inaugural home opener of the Frisco Fighters at the Comerica Center.

The Comerica Center is home of the Texas Legends of the NBA G League, the official minor league basketball organization of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Legends, previously the Colorado 14ers, moved to Frisco prior to the 2010-11 season and have played in the Comerica Center since their move to Frisco.[4]

The Comerica Center is also home to the Frisco Fighters, a professional indoor football team playing in the Indoor Football League. The Fighters were established in 2019 and originally scheduled to begin play in the Comerica Center starting in 2020. After the 2020 IFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team played its inaugural home opener at the Comerica Center on June 5, 2021.[5]

The World Olympic Gymnastics Academy hosts the annual WOGN Classic meet at the arena, which has competitions from levels 1-10 as well as an International elite competition.

Past sports

The arena served as the home of the Texas Tornado team of the North American Hockey League, from 2003 until 2013, when the team was sold and moved to North Richland Hills.[6]

Multiple indoor football teams operated at the arena. In 2006, the Comerica Center was the home of the Frisco Thunder team of the Intense Football League. The Texas Revolution of Champions Indoor Football played at the arena during their 2018 season.[7] A Lone Star Football League team to be called the Frisco Falcons was announced for a spring 2012 start but collapsed before the season began.

The arena's south parking lot has served as the Metroplex venue for some of Cirque du Soleil's Grand Chapiteau shows, while the arena itself has served as a Metroplex venue for its arena shows.

The arena hosted the 2012 Robertson Cup Tournament to decide the champion of the NAHL, with the Texas Tornado ultimately winning the championship. It is the second time the venue has hosted the event. It also hosted the 2013 Robertson Cup with the Amarillo Bulls winning the championship.

On March 23–26, 2016, the Comerica Center hosted the NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Elite Eight, which was won by Augustana University of South Dakota.

In 2021, Comerica Center hosted a majority of the National Invitational Tournament, including the championship match on March 28.

References
  1. Cohn, Justin A. (December 10, 2017). "Ants staying? Coliseum optimistic | Mad Ants | The Journal Gazette". JournalGazette.net. Retrieved December 10, 2017. Most G League teams play in arenas smaller than the Coliseum with the smallest attendance average this season being the South Bay Lakers' 614 at the Los Angeles Lakes' practice facility, the Toyota Sports Center, and the largest being the Texas Legends' 5,628 at Comerica Center.
  2. "Stars, Comerica Bank announce naming rights agreement for Comerica Center". NHL.com (Press release). Dallas Stars. January 18, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  3. "Dr Pepper Arena reopens in June". Dallas Business Journal. April 30, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  4. "Frisco nabs NBA minor league team". Dallas Business Journal. June 18, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  5. Hunt, Stephen (May 1, 2021). "Finally Ready for Takeoff". Frisco STYLE. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  6. Wadsworth, Krista (July 29, 2013). "Texas Tornado hockey franchise leaves Frisco". Community Impact. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  7. Irvine, Cameron (August 28, 2017). "Texas Revolution to Celebrate Pro Sports in Frisco, Announce Move to Dr Pepper Arena Wednesday, Aug. 30". Texas Revolution. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
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