FORT WORTH, TX - With Phase 1 of the Fort Worth Convention Center complete and unveiled in December, city leaders are moving forward with a $606 million Phase 2 expansion and modernization plan presented to City Council on Feb. 3, 2026.
Phase 2 will replace the existing 1968 arena with a new, flexible convention facility and modernize the current convention center building, which has not undergone a major renovation since 2003. Once completed, the expanded complex will feature 257,268 square feet of exhibit hall space, 60,917 square feet of meeting room space, 74,033 square feet of ballroom space and 16 loading docks.
The new four-story structure is planned for the corner of Main and Ninth streets and will include a central tower designed to reflect the Tarrant County Courthouse at the north end of Main Street. Plans also call for a public plaza with native prairie landscaping connecting to General Worth Square, along with terraces designed for outdoor events overlooking downtown.
Inside, the center will offer flexible spaces and Texas-inspired design elements intended to allow Fort Worth to host larger conventions or multiple major events at the same time.
“The Phase 2 expansion positions Fort Worth to not only attract more conventions and meetings, but also to deepen engagement with downtown businesses and residents,” said Mattie Parker. She said the project is a key part of the transformation of downtown’s southeast quadrant and is expected to support economic growth and higher-education partnerships.
City officials said updated research indicates Fort Worth could nearly double its convention business with the expanded and modernized facility. The projections incorporate feedback from current and prospective convention center clients, as well as changes tied to downtown residential growth, post-pandemic tourism trends and the Texas A&M Fort Worth campus now under construction across Commerce Street.
“Our customers shared their feedback, and we responded,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth. He said the design emphasizes flexibility, modern amenities and an experience that reflects Fort Worth’s identity.
With Dickies Arena now serving as the city’s primary arena, the existing downtown convention center arena is scheduled for demolition in early 2027. Mobilization is expected to begin in summer 2026, with the final event in the arena planned for September 2026. Construction of Phase 2 is scheduled for completion in early 2030, and the convention center will remain operational throughout the project.
Design plans draw from downtown Fort Worth’s architectural character, incorporating materials such as brick, limestone, copper and steel alongside contemporary elements. Interior spaces are expected to feature leather, mesquite wood and custom design details inspired by Texas landscapes and local culture.
The project’s design team is led by Atlanta-based firm TVS in collaboration with Fort Worth-based Bennett Partners. Construction management will continue under the joint venture of AECOMHunt, Byrne Construction and EJ Smith Construction, with project management provided by Broaddus & Associates and Elements of Architecture.
City officials said the expansion has been shaped through collaboration with stakeholders including Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the Downtown Design Review Board and a city advisory committee made up of elected officials, business leaders and community representatives.
