ProRodeo Sports News - Jan. 24, 2020

2014, capping the taxpayers’ portion at $225 million. The $540 million project will complement the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, which will continue to serve as a major equestrian show arena. Bass’ goal was to make Dickies Arena a combination of a sports arena with a theatrical-facility feel like Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. The sound system at Dickies Arena is top notch. Great care was taken to minimize or eliminate echo. The first event at Dickies Arena was a Twenty One Pilots concert Nov. 8. The multi-purpose arena

The arena also caught the eye of Trey Kimzey, who made his first appearance at the Wrangler NFR in 2019. “This just shows you where rodeo is going in general,” Kimzey said. “There are really no words for this place. It’s so spectacular. I came in the hospitality room and I was just so overwhelmed.” Just to the south and east of Dickies Arena is the

Simmons Bank Plaza. The plaza is a 209,088-square-foot space that hosts fan festivals, outdoor concerts, and pre- and post-show events. The PRCA Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo begins Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 8. “The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has been taken to a whole new level with this arena,” Kimzey said. The FWSSR has come a long way since 1896. In 1918, it was considered the world’s first indoor rodeo when it moved into the North Side Coliseum (now called Cowtown Coliseum). In 1944, the event moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Center on the west side of Fort Worth. The rodeo and the stock show have been held there since. Now, the livestock show will solely be held inWill Rogers and all rodeo events will be inside Dickies Arena.

An aerial view of the arena. It cost $540 million and is loaded with amenities.

also has played host to George Strait concerts. The 2020 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship will take place at Dickies Arena, April 17-18. The dirt in Dickies Arena is the dirt that was in the Will Rogers Coliseum. The scoreboard is the second-largest continuous 360-degree scoreboard in North America. The scoreboard measures 105 feet across and 26 feet tall. “This is such a nice arena,” said Trevor Kastner, a four-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “To me it is kind of bittersweet going from the traditional arena, but it is nice to have a new facility and all the amenities that it comes with.”

Dickies Arena was the vision of Edward Bass, a businessman and philanthropist. The 14,000-seat venue – 9,300 for rodeo configuration – has the same dirt that was in the Will Rogers Coliseum.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/24/2020

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