FORT WORTH, Texas - After nearly six decades of concerts, sporting events, graduations and other major gatherings, Fort Worth is preparing to say goodbye to the distinctive downtown arena known for its “flying saucer” appearance.
The City of Fort Worth will host a free farewell celebration, called “It’s Goin’ Down,” on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena.
The event will be the last public event inside the 58-year-old arena before it closes for remediation and demolition in early 2027.
The arena's removal is part of Phase 2 of Fort Worth's $701 million Convention Center expansion and modernization project, which is expected to transform the downtown convention complex by 2030.
“In true Fort Worth form, we will say farewell to our storied arena with a finale for North Texas residents and visitors,” Mayor Mattie Parker said.
Free Farewell Event Planned for Sept. 20
Admission to the farewell celebration will be free and open to all ages. Doors will open at noon at Ninth and Main streets, with festivities beginning at 1 p.m.
The afternoon will feature live music from a tribute band, a DJ playing songs by artists who performed at the arena over the decades, historical exhibits and other activities highlighting the building's history.
Commemorative merchandise, concessions and giveaways will also be available.
Parking will be available in nearby garages and surface lots, while downtown parking meters are free on Sundays. Visitors can also use Trinity Railway Express, TEXRail or the free Blue Line circulator to reach downtown.
From Elvis to Paul McCartney, Arena Hosted Generations of Stars
The arena was dedicated in 1968 as part of the Tarrant County Convention Center and quickly became one of the region's major entertainment venues.
Its Nov. 21-24, 1968, grand opening schedule included “La Traviata,” The Bob Hope Show, a Rowan & Martin comedy performance and the Eddy Arnold Show.
Over the following decades, the arena hosted performers ranging from AC/DC and BTS to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
One of its most significant moments came when Paul McCartney and Wings opened their 1976 Wings Over America tour in Fort Worth, marking McCartney's first U.S. concert appearance after the Beatles.
Elvis Presley also established an arena attendance record in 1974, selling out three performances that drew a combined 55,000 people.
Parts of U2's “Rattle and Hum” were filmed at the arena during the band's 1987 Joshua Tree Tour, including performances featuring B.B. King.
The building's history extended well beyond concerts. Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci and the Harlem Globetrotters appeared there, while the Fort Worth Fire and Fort Worth Brahmas hockey teams also played in the arena.
For generations of local families, the arena became associated with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus performances. Hundreds of thousands of area students also crossed its stage during graduation ceremonies.
Residents Asked to Help Preserve Arena History
Fort Worth is inviting residents to contribute photographs of their personal arena memorabilia to the Fort Worth Public Library's History Center collection.
The city is seeking images of old concert and event photographs, ticket stubs, posters, T-shirts and other memorabilia documenting events held inside the arena.
The farewell celebration will also look toward the site's future as Fort Worth moves forward with the second phase of its convention center redevelopment.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to reminisce and make new memories in this space,” Public Events Director Cynthia Sanchez Serrano said. “A lot has gone down in this building and we're excited about what’s coming up.”
City Warns Businesses About Farewell Event Scam
As preparations continue, Fort Worth officials are also warning local businesses about a phishing scam targeting potential vendors for the Sept. 20 farewell event.
According to the city's Public Events Department, someone has been sending fraudulent emails while posing as a representative of the Fort Worth Convention Center team.
The messages reportedly offer vendor booth spaces and pricing and falsely claim permitting requirements and inspections have been waived.
Although legitimate opportunities exist for small businesses to participate in the farewell event, the city said no individual is conducting vendor recruitment through unsolicited emails or phone calls.
Businesses receiving a suspicious message should verify that the sender's email address ends in @fortworthtexas.gov and should not click links, open attachments or send money until the request has been verified.
After the Sept. 20 celebration, the arena will close as Fort Worth prepares for remediation and its planned demolition in early 2027.
