Why Mansfield Is Becoming a Hub for North Texas Sports and Entertainment
Thursday, April 16
For most of the last two decades, the sports and entertainment map of North Texas pointed north. Frisco had professional soccer and Toyota Stadium. Arlington had two major league stadiums. The southern half of the metroplex, home to more than a million residents, had no professional sports venue and no large-scale entertainment district.
That is changing. Mansfield, a city of more than 75,000 residents roughly 30 minutes from downtown Dallas, is adding a professional soccer stadium, a $2.5 billion entertainment district, and year-round sports programming to a community already ranked among the best places to live in the country.
A $2.5 Billion Entertainment District Is Taking Shape
The single largest reason Mansfield is becoming a hub for North Texas sports and entertainment is the Staybolt Street Entertainment District. The district spans approximately 100 acres along Texas State Highway 360 and represents one of the largest public-private partnerships in the city’s history.
What the District Will Include
Texas Health Mansfield Stadium is the first major piece to open, arriving in summer 2026. Planned additions through 2027 include High 5 Mansfield (a 45,000-square-foot family entertainment venue), hotel accommodations, a convention center, more than 100,000 square feet of walkable retail and dining, a boardwalk park, and residential units.
For a city that previously had no large-scale entertainment destination, the district fills a gap that families in South DFW have felt for years. You can read more about the stadium and the role it plays as the district’s anchor.
Infrastructure Built for Access
Road improvements along Lone Star Parkway and Heritage Parkway, plus direct access from Toll Road 360, bring visitors into the district without routing traffic through residential neighborhoods. DFW International Airport is 35 to 40 minutes away.
Professional Soccer Has Arrived
Mansfield now has a professional sports tenant. North Texas SC, the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro champions and affiliate of FC Dallas, plays its home matches at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. The anticipated inaugural match is Saturday, July 4, 2026, against St. Louis City 2, with kickoff at 7:45 p.m. CT, pending final scheduling approval.
A Stadium Built Around the Pitch
The venue holds more than 7,000 fixed seats in a design built around the pitch, not around the concourse. The closest seats sit at field level, putting fans just feet from the action. Six branded event spaces handle everything from executive receptions to full-venue concerts, making the facility useful far beyond match days. Browse the upcoming events calendar for a look at what is already scheduled.
A FIFA World Cup Credential
Before the stadium opened, FIFA selected it as an official 2026 FIFA World Cup Team Base Camp for Czechia. (FIFA refers to the venue as Mansfield Stadium in tournament contexts due to naming rights guidelines.) The national team trained at the facility during the tournament, placing Mansfield on the same international stage as the host cities.
The City’s Growth Has Created Demand
Mansfield’s transformation into a North Texas entertainment hub did not happen overnight. Population growth created the demand that made the Staybolt Street investment viable.
A Population That Nearly Doubled
Since 2008, the city’s population has nearly doubled. U.S. News and World Report ranked Mansfield No. 27 nationally and No. 9 in Texas on its 2025-2026 Best Places to Live list, citing strong schools, median household income, and quality of life. ConsumerAffairs separately named Mansfield the No. 6 best Texas city to move to, ranking it No. 3 in the state for health care and education.
A Young, Family-Heavy Population
Nearly a third of Mansfield’s residents are under 20 years old, and 32 percent are between 20 and 44. Youth sports participation, family entertainment, and community wellness programming are not aspirational talking points in a city with that demographic profile. Those are baseline needs, and the Staybolt Street Entertainment District is designed to meet them.
Wellness Is Part of the Identity
Most entertainment districts lead with nightlife and dining. Mansfield’s leads with wellness. Texas Health Resources, a faith-based, nonprofit health system serving more patients in North Texas than any other provider, holds the naming rights to the stadium and serves as its Official Health Partner.
The 10-year partnership shapes year-round programming: curated healthier food and beverage options, community wellness events, and youth fitness clinics developed in collaboration with Texas Health and Hunt Sports Group. Contact our team to learn more about community programming.
South DFW Finally Has a Destination
Arlington, immediately north of Mansfield, has been the entertainment anchor of the southern metroplex for decades. Mansfield now offers something different: a venue and district built at a scale that serves the community without losing the accessibility that makes the city livable.
A 7,000-seat stadium is not a 100,000-seat arena. Parking is manageable. Every seat has a clear view of the pitch. The atmosphere is carried in a way that massive venues cannot replicate.
Come See What Mansfield Is Building
The stadium opens this summer. The broader district grows around it through 2027. Whether you are a soccer fan planning your first visit, a family looking for weekend entertainment, or a corporate planner scouting North Texas event venues, Mansfield is worth the trip.
Browse the upcoming events calendar and plan your first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mansfield becoming a hub for North Texas sports?
Mansfield is becoming a hub for North Texas sports because of the $2.5 billion Staybolt Street Entertainment District, which includes Texas Health Mansfield Stadium (home of North Texas SC), planned hotels, a convention center, family entertainment, and more than 100,000 square feet of retail and dining.
What is the Staybolt Street Entertainment District?
A $2.5 billion mixed-use development spanning approximately 100 acres along Texas State Highway 360 in Mansfield, TX. The stadium is the first major piece, with additional phases through 2027.
Who plays at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium?
North Texas SC, the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro champions and affiliate of FC Dallas, plays home matches at the stadium throughout the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Is Mansfield, TX a good place to live?
U.S. News and World Report ranked Mansfield No. 27 nationally and No. 9 in Texas on its 2025-2026 Best Places to Live list. ConsumerAffairs separately named it the No. 6 best Texas city to move to.
How far is Mansfield from Dallas and Fort Worth?
Mansfield is roughly 30 minutes southwest of downtown Dallas and 25 minutes southeast of downtown Fort Worth, immediately south of Arlington. DFW International Airport is approximately 35 to 40 minutes away.
Can I host a private event at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium?
Yes. The stadium offers six branded event spaces for private events, corporate functions, weddings, and celebrations. Inquire through the venue and event spaces page.
