Comerica Center becomes Fifth Third Arena, with free monthly public skates starting Dec. 5

Comerica Center, the Frisco arena where the Dallas Stars practice, is now Fifth Third Arena. The Dallas Stars and Fifth Third Bank announced the change Tuesday and said it takes effect immediately.

The rename follows Fifth Third's merger with Comerica, which closed in February and, according to the announcement, made the combined company the ninth-largest bank in the United States.

Free skates on the first Saturday

Alongside the new name, the Stars and the bank are starting Fifth Third Community Skates, held on the first Saturday of each month. The first one is Saturday, Dec. 5, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., with appearances by Victor E. Green and the Dallas Stars Ice Girls.

Some later sessions will carry themes or collections, such as holiday food drives and back-to-school supply drives, the announcement said.

What the building hosts

The arena is the Stars' practice home and the home court for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League and the Dallas Pulse of Major League Volleyball. It seats more than 6,000 people and is also used for concerts, family shows, graduations and corporate events.

The announcement said a renovation worth several million dollars will add four video boards, ribbon boards, a new sound system, new seats and a party deck.

"We are excited to usher in a new era for Frisco's premier entertainment venue," Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts said in the release.

Brian Enzler, the bank's North Texas region president, called the arena "a visible symbol of our long-term commitment to North Texas."

The bank said it now runs 50 branches in North Texas and plans 60 more in the market. Its first Texas branch opened in Frisco in April, and it is setting up its Texas regional headquarters at Preston Center in Dallas. The release also cites a five-year, $3.1 billion commitment to community and economic programs across Texas.

The announcement did not give the length or value of the naming deal.

Sources

nhl.com