Howdy Frisco -
Plano just voted to drop $700 million on a new Dallas Stars arena at the old Shops at Willow Bend. Which, respect. That mall has been on life support for years. The Stars are reportedly eyeing a November voter referendum to seal the deal.
More on that another day, but if you've driven past Willow Bend lately... you already knew something had to give.
Anyway. Happy Thursday. Let's get into it.
🏠 Frisco's Housing Market Is Quietly Having a Moment
May's numbers are in, and Frisco's real estate market is doing something it hasn't always done lately: moving.
264 homes sold in May, up from 226 in May 2025. That's nearly a 17% jump year over year. The sweet spot? Most of those sales landed in the $400K to $700K range, which is basically the heartbeat of Frisco's market.
I'll be honest, as someone who's watched this market closely, this data is encouraging. Sellers are finding buyers. Days on market have been creeping in a more favorable direction.
🏈 Frisco Is Getting Two Bowl Games Again This December
Frisco is doing the bowl game double again. ESPN Events just announced the 2026-27 bowl schedule, and Ford Center at The Star will once again host two nationally televised college football postseason games.
Mark your calendars:
Dec. 15 - First bowl game, 8 p.m. CT
Dec. 23 - The 9th annual Frisco Bowl, 8 p.m. CT
Both on ESPN. Both right here.
The Frisco Bowl has been running since 2017 and somehow still feels like a hidden gem. A climate-controlled stadium. No frozen nose hairs. No parking odyssey. Just good football at a genuinely cool facility in the middle of the city you live in.
Tickets aren't on sale yet, but you can get on the VIP pre-sale list for the Frisco Bowl at TheFriscoBowl.com. Worth bookmarking before the rest of DFW catches on.
🎢 Universal Kids Resort Preview Tickets Are Live (And Going Fast)
Universal Kids Resort opens July 1, but they're offering six preview days starting June 24 and a limited number of tickets went on sale today at $49.99 per person through UniversalKidsResort.com.
I'll spare you the full pitch because if you have young kids in Frisco, you already know. SpongeBob. Minions. Trolls. Gabby's Dollhouse. A park literally designed around the attention span and leg length of a 4-year-old.
A couple things worth knowing:
Preview tickets are online only and availability is limited
Some experiences may still be in finishing-touch mode during the preview window
The on-site Universal Kids Resort Hotel opens June 30, with rooms sleeping up to 5 or 6 depending on the suite
Emily and I are weighing the preview vs. waiting for the July dust to settle. The dad in me wants to surprise the girls early. The finance brain in me is watching what the July 1 crowd situation looks like first.
Either way, if you've got little ones, this is the summer event in Frisco. Don't sleep on those preview tickets.
📅 COMING THIS WEEK TO FRISCO
Friday, June 12
🧁 Zucceronini Small Sweets Bake Stand - Opening Day | 9 AM-2 PM 12445 Pleasant Hill Lane. Grab-and-go crumb cake squares ($5) and Founder's Sampler Boxes ($15/$30). Pre-order recommended: [email protected]
⚽ Party on the Pitch: USA vs. Paraguay | 7 PM (kickoff 8 PM) Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star. Big screen, full match-day atmosphere. Wear red, white, and blue.
🧒 KidsUnited Frisco West - Opening Doors | 5 AM 614 Main St, Suite 114. Founding member pricing ends soon. Free trial available. kidsunited.com/friscowest
🎬 Summer Movie Night at the PGA District - Bolt | 8-10 PM 3255 PGA Parkway. No outside food or drinks, no lawn chairs (blankets only), and pets are welcome on a leash.
Saturday, June 13
🌾 Frisco Rotary Farmers Market | 9 AM-1 PM Kaleidoscope Park, 3000 Internet Blvd. New vendors, live music, balloon artist, knife sharpening.
🎨 SaturYAY in the Park | 10 AM-12 PM Kaleidoscope Park. Free family fun - arts and crafts, Little Gym, Young Artist Music School, and more.
⚽ Legends of Soccer Exhibit Opening + Second Saturday | 10 AM-3 PM Frisco Heritage Center, 6455 Page St. New exhibit featuring Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff and more. STEM activities, photo booth, button making. Free admission.
🎵 Jacy Penland Live at Frisco Fresh Market | 11 AM-1 PM 9215 John W. Elliott Dr. Live music at the farmers market. Free to attend.
🐾 LazyPaw Block Party | 12-3 PM 7380 Stonebrook Pkwy. Free community event - dunk tank, yard games, dog training demos, door prizes including RoughRiders tickets and Main Event gift cards. No purchase necessary.
⚽ Summer Saturdays at The Star | All day Tostitos Championship Plaza. World Cup watch parties (Qatar vs. Switzerland, Brazil vs. Morocco, and more), mini soccer pitch, themed food and drink throughout The Star District.
⚽ Panini Sticker Swap + Mobile Tour at Cards In A Box | 11 AM-3 PM 3625 The Star Blvd, Suite 305. Free sticker albums at the Panini truck, free t-shirts inside Cards in a Box, prize drawings. Bring your duplicate stickers.
🤠 Texas Traditions: Country Music Kick-Off | 6-9 PM Kaleidoscope Park. Fin Ewing and The Wrong Direction, line dancing and two-step instruction, trackless train, bubble foam party, pony rides. Runs every Saturday through July 11.
🌌 Frisco Starfest | Starting at 6 PM (30 min after sunset) Frisco Commons Park, 8000 McKinney Rd. Monthly star party with telescopes, planets, and night sky viewing. Free. Weather permitting.
Saturday, June 14 - Friday, June 20
🍦 Freddy's 3-Year Anniversary | All week 16555 FM 423. Free mini one-topping sundae with a $5 purchase all week. Swing by June 14 for a chance at Freddy's swag while supplies last.
Ongoing Through the Summer
⚽ FC Dallas Soccer Celebration | Daily through July 19 Simpson Plaza, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. Watch parties, live music, food and drinks, interactive activations. Free tickets required for entry. Clear bag policy in effect.
⚽ Where Football Happens at The Star | Daily through July 19 Ford Center at The Star. Season-long soccer celebration with themed events, match screenings, and exclusive offers throughout The Star District.
🏛️ Legends of Soccer Exhibit | Daily through December 1 Frisco Heritage Museum, 6455 Page St. Free admission.
