Toyota Stadium – design description

How does the Toyota Stadium modernization project look in a nutshell?

The FC Dallas stadium upgrade will include the construction of a new stand behind the northern goal, equipped with a large video screen, and almost all seats in the stadium will be covered. The project also includes a significant expansion of premium seating, an increase in the number of food and beverage outlets and restrooms, and upgrades to the technical infrastructure.

The goal of the redevelopment is to improve fan comfort and restore the stadium's status as one of the best soccer venues in the US. The work will begin in the first quarter of 2025 and will be carried out in stages, without closing the stadium. The project is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2028.

The project is being developed as a public-private partnership, and part of the deal is to extend the stadium's lease until 2057, keeping FC Dallas in Frisco for another three decades.

What does Toyota Stadium look like?

The stadium of FC Dallas, which plays in Major League Soccer, opened in 2005 as the third soccer-specific venue in MLS. The facility is located in Frisco, in the northern part of the Dallas--Fort Worth metroplex, and can hold just under 19,100 spectators for soccer matches and 20,500 for football games. Since 2013, the facility has been named Toyota Stadium.

Since its opening, the facility has undergone one major upgrade, carried out between 2016 and 2018, at which time the stand behind the southern goal was rebuilt, receiving a membrane canopy, and the National Soccer Hall of Fame building, which is a museum of US soccer, was constructed just behind it.

The stadium is extensively used, hosting more than 200 events a year. In addition to FC Dallas games, which are often sold out, the facility also serves Frisco ISD sports teams, has hosted the FCS championship game for a dozen years, and since 2017 holds the annual Frisco Bowl.

When did plans for a major modernization of Toyota Stadium come to light?

News of the planned upgrade first emerged in May 2024. Details of the project were revealed on September 17, 2024, when the Frisco City Council approved a public-private partnership plan involving a $182 million renovation of Toyota Stadium.

As part of the agreement, the city will contribute $77 million to renovate the stadium, FC Dallas owners will contribute $65 million (plus any excess costs), and the Frisco Community Development Corporation will contribute $20 million.

The agreement also includes an extension of the facility's lease for more than three decades, keeping FC Dallas in Frisco until at least 2057.

What does the Toyota Stadium modernization plan include?

The scope of the redevelopment includes a number of significant changes, the most important of which is the construction of a new stand behind the northern goal (with a large video screen), the almost complete roofing of all stands, the expansion of premium seating, new entrances to the stadium, an increase in the number of food and beverage outlets and restrooms, and improvements to the sound and lighting systems.

The new stand behind the northern goal will accommodate 3,400 spectators, bringing the capacity of the entire stadium to more than 22,500. The stand will be equipped with safe standing areas and will be dedicated to FC Dallas' most ardent supporters. Above it will be a 6,000-square-feet video screen, the largest in MLS considering soccer-specific stadiums.

The expansion will significantly increase the number of premium seats and private boxes. An entirely new building with boxes will be built above the east stand, and the existing infrastructure on the west side will be upgraded. In addition, new press boxes will be built in the northwest corner.

On the east and west sides, new main entrances to the stands will be built, dedicated to premium seat users. In addition, the stadium will get new LED bands and improved infrastructure for TV broadcasts.

What will the Toyota Stadium upgrade deliver?

The upgrade will put FC Dallas Stadium back among the top soccer venues in the US. The match experience of both regular fans and VIP guests will be significantly improved. The facility will become more profitable, and the number of events is expected to increase to more than 300 per year.

When will the Toyota Stadium upgrade be carried out?

The modernization work is to be carried out in phases, and during the process the stadium will remain functional, although part of the stands will be out of use.

The first phase includes the expansion of the eastern part of the stadium and is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025. From the beginning of the 2025 season, the eastern stand will be inaccessible to fans.

The first phase is expected to be completed before the 2026 World Cup – since some of the World Cup matches will be held at AT&T Stadium, there is a chance that Toyota Stadium will become a training base for one of the national teams.

In the summer of 2026, a further part of the development will begin, which is expected to be fully completed in the first quarter of 2028. Manhattan Construction Group is responsible for the construction work, and the design of the redevelopment was prepared by Dallas-based HKS Architects.

What investments are planned around Toyota Stadium?

On February 14, 2025, it was announced that a major development project is planned behind the west stand, including the construction of a 1.2 million-square-foot office complex, 200 apartments, as well as a hotel, stores and restaurants. The project is being developed in partnership between FC Dallas and local developer Cawley Partners, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2028.