We've got answers:

Project Timing & Public Vote
 

1. Will San Antonio residents get to vote on the arena project?
Yes. The public will vote November 4, 2025 as part of the Bexar County election. That vote will determine whether specific visitor-related funding sources can be used to support the arena. Without that approval, the project will not move forward.
 

2. Why is there urgency to move forward?
Once contracts are finalized, the construction program for the arena will take up to 60 months. To stay on schedule, all funding and agreements need to be in place soon after the November vote. Further delays could increase costs and push the project beyond key planning windows.
 

Moving forward on schedule also allows the County and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo to begin their own vision for the Frost Bank Center and surrounding land, reimagining it with year-round programming and community use. Both projects are designed to complement each other, and timely action ensures that each can be planned and delivered in a coordinated way.

3. What happens if the public vote fails?
Then the project does not move forward. The term sheet between the City and the Spurs is non-binding and contingent upon voter approval. If the measure does not pass, no City funds will be committed.

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Funding & Fiscal Responsibility

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4. Will local taxpayers be footing the bill?
No. In  addition to the $500 million directly from the Spurs toward the construction costs of the new arena, funding sources include:

• Project Finance Zone (PFZ): State-authorized tool that allows San Antonio to keep a portion of state hotel tax revenue generated around the convention center.

• County Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT): A voter-approved venue tax already collected from out-of-town visitors who stay in hotels and short-term rentals.

• Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ): A designated area where new property tax revenue from future development is reinvested back into the area to support infrastructure and projects.
   

All of these sources are restricted by law to visitor-related use or are only made possible by the development of the district itself. They cannot be redirected to fund housing, public safety or general services, even if this project did not happen. This project keeps those tourism dollars working for San Antonio, rather than going back to the state or sitting unused. No monies are being used or diverted from the general fund. This is about creating new revenue from new activity.
 

5. Why can’t PFZ funds be redirected to other needs like housing or public safety?
By law, these funds can only be used for projects that drive tourism and economic activity. If not used for eligible projects like this arena, the funds are returned to the state. This project allows San Antonio to keep those dollars local.
 

6. Why should taxpayers help pay for an arena when teams in other cities fund their own?
Every small-market NBA team that’s built a new arena or completed a major renovation in the last 15 years has done so with public funding, often covering about 70% of total costs.

What we’re proposing follows that same model, where the team, city and county each contribute – but designed to ensure there is NO tax impact on San Antonio families. This isn’t about doing more than others. It’s about doing what’s required to stay competitive in a small market. It’s a shared investment in something that belongs to the community.

 

7. Is there a risk that construction costs will increase and taxpayers will have to cover the difference?
No. The Spurs have publicly committed to covering any cost overruns. This means the City and County’s financial commitments are capped and protected, even if the cost of construction increases.
 

8. What makes this public-private partnership different?
On top of the Spurs committing $1 billion toward construction and development, this structure includes multiple safeguards:

• The Spurs cover any arena cost overruns

• The Spurs have committed to ground lease payments to the City, even if development is delayed

• The model is not built on rebates or tax deferrals. It’s structured to deliver value early and consistently

 

Private Investment & Economic Impact
 

9. What are the Spurs committing to this project?
The Spurs and their partners are investing over $2 billion because they believe in San Antonio’s future. Their commitment includes:

• $500 million directly toward the arena, plus covering 100% of any cost overruns so taxpayers are never on the hook

• $1.4 billion in private development projects that will create jobs and bring new opportunities to downtown

• $75 million dedicated to community benefits, including support for local families, youth, and opportunities that make San Antonio stronger

 

This investment is about much more than an arena. It’s about building a place that reflects the pride of our city, strengthens our community and ensures San Antonio continues to lead for generations to come.

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10. Why can’t the Spurs just pay for the arena themselves?
Team valuation reflects estimated equity, not liquid cash. The Holt family would have to sell ownership in the team to access that value, which they have no intention of doing. Instead, they’re investing over $1 billion into this project as a long-term commitment to San Antonio.
 

11. How will this project benefit public services beyond the arena?
The district is projected to generate over $580 million in tax revenue that will support critical community services, including:

• University Health System

• Alamo Colleges

• VIA Metropolitan Transit

• Citywide Arts & Culture Programming 

• Convention Center Operations & Expansion 

• Bexar County and the State of Texas

• Many other local & regional services  

Location, Land Use & Long-Term Planning
 

12. Why downtown?
Downtown is where modern arenas are being built across the NBA. It offers better access to hotels, restaurants and transit and supports a connected entertainment district that can serve locals and visitors year-round.

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13. Are most NBA arenas located downtown?
Yes. Today, 26 out of 30 NBA teams play in arenas located in or near their downtown cores. The Spurs are one of only four NBA teams whose home arena is not in a downtown location.

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This move would bring San Antonio in line with national trends and for good reason. Downtown arenas offer better access to transit, hotels, restaurants and surrounding entertainment districts. They attract more year-round activity and make a greater economic impact on their cities. This project is about ensuring San Antonio stays competitive and connected, both within the NBA and as a modern destination for fans, families and events.

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14. Why not just renovate the Frost Bank Center?
The Frost Bank Center has been a valued home for the Spurs and a hub for major events for 25 years. As part of the overall vision, the County and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will have the opportunity to take over the space and reimagine it with year-round programming that benefits the community.

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For the NBA, long-term success requires facilities built to modern standards — with immersive fan experiences, integration with public transportation, and year-round urban activity. The Frost Bank Center would still require hundreds of millions to maintain over the next 20 years for it to continue as an NBA arena. A new downtown arena provides the chance to meet those requirements while allowing the Frost Bank Center to continue serving San Antonio in new and exciting ways.

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15. What happens to the land if the arena isn’t built?
The proposed site has been vacant for decades, generating little or no tax revenue. Without an anchor like the Spurs, it's unlikely to be activated in the midterm. With the arena project, it becomes a vibrant, mixed-use district with built-in public benefit.

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16. What happens to the East Side and the Frost Bank Center?
The County will continue to operate the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum for concerts, graduations, and an expanded year-round San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The relocation creates new programming opportunities for both districts.

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We’re proud of our presence on the East Side, and that commitment doesn’t go away with a move downtown. We support the Rodeo and the County’s plans to modernize the Frost Bank Center and Freeman site in a new way that aligns with the Rodeo’s goal for year-round programming. The Spurs will be a partner in shaping that future, working closely with the County and Rodeo.

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Community Commitment & Accountability

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17. Is this project just about the Spurs?
No. The arena is part of a larger vision for a downtown sports and entertainment district that includes convention growth, job creation and year-round activity. It’s designed to benefit the entire community.

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18. Will this project benefit all San Antonians or just tourists?
This project is about much more than a new arena. It’s about building momentum for a stronger, more vibrant San Antonio. The new arena will serve as a catalyst, attracting new businesses, residents and energy to the city, helping create a community where people want to live, work and raise their families.

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While some jobs will be tied to tourism, the benefits extend far beyond that. A revitalized downtown, coupled with the Spurs’ commitment to equity and access, will create an ecosystem that supports both quality of life and economic growth. The project will generate opportunities indirectly, from construction and operations to the businesses, services and careers that grow in response to increased activity and investment.

This project is designed for the people who call San Antonio home, for the children who will grow up with more opportunities, the families who will enjoy more to do and experience together, and the next generation who will see a city investing in their future.

In addition to economic impact, the Spurs have committed $75 million in direct community benefits, including:

• Early childhood care investments to give more children a strong start

• 500 tickets per game at $25 or less, ensuring accessibility for more families

• Free VIA rides for 2,000 ticket holders per game, connecting more people to the heart of the city

• A 30% local hiring goal for arena construction contracts, arena operations and district construction, keeping jobs and dollars in the community

 

19. Will the Spurs leave San Antonio if this doesn’t happen?
The Spurs have a lease through 2032 and no plans to leave. But remaining competitive requires modern facilities. A new arena ensures the team’s long-term future in San Antonio while strengthening local economic ties.

The Holt family has a 30-year track record of keeping the team rooted in San Antonio. Today, the Spurs have one of the longest-standing ownership groups in the NBA, and the family lives, works and invests in this community every day.

The team’s headquarters, The Rock at La Cantera, a future community impact center and youth programs are all based in San Antonio. The Spurs are more than a franchise. They’re part of the city’s cultural fabric and the new arena is a commitment to staying and growing with the city.

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Process & Long-Term Guarantees

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20. Is the City rushing this decision?
Not at all. This process began in January 2023 and has involved public engagement, including multiple open City Council sessions, stakeholder briefings and dozens of meetings with community organizations across the city. The City is still in the process of negotiating a non-binding term sheet that will be presented publicly before any final vote.

This has been a thoughtful, deliberate process to ensure that residents have access to accurate information and the opportunity to ask questions. The public will ultimately decide through the November 2025 election.

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21. What happens if development around the arena is delayed?
The Spurs have committed to making ground lease payments and incremental tax payments to the City, even if parts of the surrounding development take longer to build. This structure ensures that public revenues are protected, regardless of how the market behaves or how quickly private development occurs.

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22. Why not wait until the team’s lease ends in 2032?
While the Spurs’ lease at the Frost Bank Center runs through 2032, a new downtown arena will take approximately 60 months to construct. That means planning, funding and approval must happen now to ensure a seamless transition.

Delaying could create a gap in venue availability and make it harder to retain long-term investment, talent and fan momentum. Planning ahead protects the future of the franchise and the city.

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23. Can we wait until the project is simpler?

While it could be simpler to build this in isolation, the vision for a world-class, community-driven district relies on collaboration between multiple partners. That includes Bexar County, the Spurs, the Rodeo, UTSA and the City. These partnerships take time, but they also ensure long-term alignment, shared accountability and broader benefit for San Antonio.

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24. Would the public own the downtown arena?

Yes. Just like the Frost Bank Center, the new downtown arena will be publicly owned and the Spurs will be responsible for operating expenses. The Spurs do not own it and will not profit from it as a real estate asset. This ensures the community retains ownership and long-term benefit from the investment, even though it’s funded through a public-private partnership