The first phase of the $710 million revamp of the Fort Worth Convention Center was completed in December 2025, according to fortworthreport.org.

The $95 million first phase totaled 76,794 sq. ft. and includes a new southeast entrance and terrace, upgraded food and beverage facilities, as well as four new loading docks and a Commerce Street realignment that creates space for a future hotel and additional retail or restaurants.

AECOM Hunt, Byrne Construction Services and E.J. Smith Construction formed a joint venture to serve as the project's construction manager at risk, according to fortworthreport.org.

In partnership with Elements of Architecture, Broaddus & Associates is serving as project manager, while Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates joined forces with Bennett Partners on design and construction administration services.

"Fort Worth provides the Texas experience that meeting planners want, and the Phase I convention center expansion and modernization exceeds those expectations," Mayor Mattie Parker said at a December tour of the facility, according to fortworthreport.org. "This milestone, along with Phase II construction, will increase capacity to host conferences from across the nation, bolstering our already impressive convention and tourism industry."

Tourism is a $3.5 billion industry for Fort Worth and one of its largest employers, with more than 30,000 jobs, according to Visit Fort Worth. In 2024, Fort Worth welcomed 11.5 million visitors, generating $251 million in state and local taxes. The convention center expansion is part of the city's larger economic development strategy to attract meetings from across the state and nation.

A combination of $52 million in federal pandemic-era stimulus money and $43 million in debt funded the first phase. Voters in May 2024 approved a 2 percent increase in the city's hotel tax in 2024 to repay that debt and fund the second phase, according to fortworthreport.org.

The first phase upgrades and emphasizes pedestrian access while improving the area's walkability and connection to the surrounding area, including the Water Gardens, Trinity Metro Central Station, the new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus and adjacent hotels.

The convention center remained open during the first phase and will remain operational during the second phase, fortworthreport.org reported. Renderings of the second phase are scheduled to be shared in the next few months.

The second phase of renovations is expected to begin in late 2026, with completion anticipated in early 2030. That includes the demolition of the original 1968 arena — often dubbed as the "flying saucer" — at the building's northern end. The center opened as the Tarrant County Convention Center and hosted many top musicians during its tenure.

The second phase cost is expected to be $60 million for design and preconstruction, with the remaining $546 million for construction, according to fortworthreport.org.