American Airlines Center – Home of the Dallas Mavericks | Arena Guide

American Airlines Center — affectionately nicknamed "The Hangar" by Dallas fans — is the premier sports and entertainment arena of North Texas, serving as the home of the Dallas Mavericks (NBA) and Dallas Stars (NHL) in the vibrant Victory Park neighbourhood just north of downtown Dallas. Opening in 2001 and named after the locally headquartered American Airlines, the arena seats 19,200 for Mavericks games and can accommodate up to 21,000 for major concerts, making it one of the largest NBA venues. The arena is served by DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Rail at the Victory Station on the Green and Orange Lines, located directly adjacent to the arena. The PNC Plaza — the arena's south-facing courtyard at the corner of Houston and Olive Streets — is the beating heart of the pre-game experience, filled with sponsor booths, live music, a brewpub, and restaurants on game nights, and is dominated by two iconic bronze statues: Mike Modano (Dallas Stars legend) and Dirk Nowitzki (the Mavericks' beloved 41-time All-Star and 2007 MVP who led Dallas to the 2011 NBA Championship). The street directly in front of PNC Plaza was renamed Nowitzki Way in 2019. American Airlines Center has approximately 5,300 parking spaces within two blocks, with the Lexus Garage providing VIP suite parking. The arena is home to multiple Texas-sourced food and beverage options across its concourses, celebrating barbecue, Tex-Mex, and local brews. Bags are limited to wristlets, clutches or wallets up to 4.5"×6.5". Box office: 214-665-4797.

American Airlines Center opened in July 2001, replacing the Dallas Mavericks' and Stars' former home of Reunion Arena. The arena was funded through a public-private partnership with the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and the Mavericks and Stars ownership groups, at a cost of approximately $420 million. Named after American Airlines — the Fort Worth-based airline giant — the arena quickly established itself as one of the NBA's finest venues. The Mavericks' 2006 NBA Finals appearance (losing to Miami) was followed by the defining achievement: the 2011 NBA Championship, when Dirk Nowitzki's transcendent performance defeated LeBron James' Miami Heat superteam 4-2 in one of sport's most celebrated underdog victories. The arena was renamed and rebranded as American Airlines Center's identity solidified around two iconic statues: Dirk Nowitzki and Mike Modano. The street was renamed Nowitzki Way in 2019. Luka Doncic's arrival in 2018 launched a new era, culminating in the 2024 NBA Finals run. Multiple renovations have upgraded the concourses, premium spaces, and technology throughout the arena's two-decade history.

American Airlines Center on Mavericks game nights is among the more compelling atmospheres in the NBA when the team is performing well — Dallas has a passionate basketball following despite competing with multiple pro sports teams for attention. PNC Plaza before the game is the essential pre-game experience: the Nowitzki and Modano statues, live music, and the buzzing outdoor environment in Victory Park create a distinctive Dallas sports atmosphere. Inside, the arena's large capacity can dilute atmosphere during non-marquee games, but playoff games and top-opponent visits generate exceptional noise levels in "The Hangar." For peak atmosphere: Mavericks vs Lakers, Mavericks vs Thunder (Luka rivalries), and all playoff home games — when the 19,000+ crowd creates one of the NBA's most formidable home environments.

Tours of American Airlines Center are available covering the Mavericks and Stars locker rooms, player tunnel, court, suites, and PNC Plaza. Adults $4, seniors $3, children 3-17 $3. Free parking in Lot F (north entrance, All-Star Way). Box office: 214-665-4797. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and event days from 10am.