Fort Worth's Iconic 'Flying Saucer' Is Coming Down — Here's Your Last Chance to Go Inside

One of Fort Worth's most recognizable buildings is getting ready to disappear from the downtown skyline.

The arena at the Fort Worth Convention Center, affectionately known to generations of North Texans as the "Flying Saucer," is headed for demolition. But before it comes down, Fort Worth is giving everyone one final chance to step inside and say goodbye.

The city will host "It's Goin' Down" on Sunday, September 20, a farewell celebration for the distinctive round arena that's been part of downtown Fort Worth since 1968.

And if those walls could talk, they'd have some incredible concert stories to tell.

Before Dickies Arena, This Was the Place

Long before today's massive North Texas concert venues, the Convention Center arena welcomed some of the biggest names in music.

We're talking Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Tina Turner, Eagles, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Bee Gees, Bob Marley and Paul McCartney's Wings, among many others.

Elvis even sold out the arena for three performances in 1974.

For longtime North Texans, the building isn't simply an unusual piece of downtown architecture. It's where generations went to concerts, sporting events, conventions and other major Fort Worth gatherings.

Even if you've never been inside, you've probably seen it.

Its unusual circular roof has been part of the downtown Fort Worth landscape for nearly six decades, earning it that unmistakable "Flying Saucer" nickname.

Why Is It Coming Down?

The demolition is part of a major expansion and modernization of the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Removing the old arena will make room for additional convention space and help transform the southeast side of the downtown complex.

That means the familiar saucer-shaped building's days are officially numbered.

One Last Party Before It's Gone

Before demolition begins, Fort Worth is turning the farewell into a celebration.

"It's Goin' Down" will give the public an opportunity to visit the arena one final time and celebrate nearly six decades of memories inside the building.

For anyone who attended a concert, watched an event there or simply grew up seeing that unmistakable roof in the Fort Worth skyline, it'll be a rare chance to walk through the building before it becomes part of North Texas history.

And considering some of the music legends who once performed there, you're walking into a place that played a surprisingly big role in DFW's concert history.

Another Piece of Old-School DFW History

North Texas changes fast.

Skylines grow, neighborhoods transform and the places we remember don't always stick around forever. That's part of what makes the final days of the Flying Saucer worth paying attention to.

After standing in downtown Fort Worth since 1968, the arena is preparing for its final curtain call.

So if you've ever wondered what it looks like inside—or you have a few memories of your own from the old arena—September 20 is your chance to see it one last time.

Then, the Flying Saucer really is goin' down.