The Dallas Stars might be skating away from downtown.

According to a report from Front Office Sports, the franchise is actively exploring relocation options with its lease at the American Airlines Center set to expire in 2031. And while Arlington and Dallas remain on the table, one front-runner has emerged: Plano.

The team’s 21-member advisory board reportedly met to discuss long-term arena plans, and the north Dallas suburb of Plano surfaced as the most likely destination. Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts confirmed that the organization is even considering a land purchase in the area.

Plano is not a random pick — it’s strategic.

• The Stars’ headquarters is already in Frisco, just north of Plano.

• The team also operates multiple ice rinks in the area.

• A significant portion of the fanbase lives in the northeast suburbs of Dallas.

Rather than upgrading or expanding in downtown Dallas, the Stars may look to follow a booming trend in pro sports: the “live, work, play” stadium village model. That means combining an arena with restaurants, shops, hotels, and residential spaces—just like The Battery built by the Atlanta Braves.

With parking and traffic worsening near the American Airlines Center due to aggressive downtown development, suburban expansion is an appealing play. Arlington, home to the Cowboys and Rangers, has tried to replicate the Braves’ success with mixed results. Plano offers a blank canvas, real estate opportunity, and immediate access to an existing fanbase.

This wouldn’t just be a new arena — it could be a total rebrand of the Stars’ game-day experience.

The Stars’ lease runs through 2031, but signs suggest the team is already laying the groundwork for what comes next. If the pieces fall into place, the future of Dallas hockey may not be in Dallas at all.