(Fort Worth) – Trail Drive Management Corp. (TDMC), the not-for-profit operators of Dickies Arena, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house on Saturday, Oct. 26 to formally welcome the community into the world-class arena.

“After breaking ground over two years ago, we are ready to show the community just how spectacular Dickies Arena will be,” said Matt Homan, president and general manager of TDMC. “Dickies Arena will re-shape the entertainment scene in Fort Worth for decades to come, providing a variety of events and activities for guests of all ages.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on the east side of the arena, on Simmons Bank Plaza. Immediately following the ceremony, the arena will be open for self-guided tours that guests can register for in advance by visiting Ticketmaster.com. Tickets to tour the arena are free, and there will be a limited number of tickets available throughout the day, between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Guests are invited to experience the beautiful architecture and state-of-the-art spaces while trying a variety of food and beverage options that will be available for purchase at a discounted rate.

Throughout the day, guests will be encouraged to enjoy activities on the Simmons Bank Plaza. Performers from popular family shows – including Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live’s BIGFOOT, WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Bayley, a Harlem Globetrotter, and a special presence from Cirque du Soleil – will be on site to celebrate with the citizens of Fort Worth. Local acts will perform on the Simmons Bank Plaza stage, and Dickies Arena founding partners, including Dickies, Chevrolet, Texas Health Resources, Reliant and Simmons Bank, will also be on site to engage with the community.

Guests are welcome to visit the activities on the Simmons Bank Plaza throughout the day but must have a free ticket to take a self-guided tour, which can be acquired at Ticketmaster.com.

Parking for the event is complimentary. Guests are asked to use the Yellow Lots across from the arena on Trail Drive as well as any other lots on the Will Rogers Memorial Campus.

Dickies Arena is the result of a pioneering public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the State of Texas and a group of private-sector participants, including foundations, individuals and organizations. The partnership was approved by the voters in November 2014. The $540 million project will complement the current Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, which will continue to serve as a major equestrian show arena.

Mayor Betsy Price, Ed Bass and The Beck Group Executive Chairman Peter Beck will speak at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

# # #

Dickies Arena will be a 14,000 seat, spectacular multipurpose venue located adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center campus in Fort Worth, Texas. The facility is the result of a pioneering public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the State of Texas and a group of private-sector participants, including foundations, individuals and organizations. The arena will be owned by the City of Fort Worth and managed by the not-for-profit operating entity, Trail Drive Management Corp. (TDMC). The state-of-the-art arena will host concerts, sporting events and family entertainment, and will be the new home to Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo performances. For more information, visit www.DickiesArena.com.