The facility is the result of a public-private partnership between Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the state of Texas, and a group of private-sector participants, including foundations, individuals, and organizations.

It hosts concerts, sporting events, and family entertainment, and serves as the home of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The Fort Worth Stock Show and other equestrian events are held at the adjacent Will Rogers Memorial Center.

While in the design phase, Dickies Arena was built with the intent of having the sound of a concert hall.

[citation needed] Dickies Arena has the second-largest, continuous 360-degree screen in North America.