Roos to walk stage at  Dickie’s Arena

When Weatherford High School seniors attend their graduation ceremony in 2027, they’ll be doing it at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth, the district recently announced. 

The ceremony will be begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2027. 

Kangaroo Stadium has been the site for high school graduation for the past six years; however, the move was prompted primarily by the desire to provide additional seating capacity for graduates’ guests and eliminate the possibility of severe weather disrupting or delaying the ceremony. 

“Holding graduation indoors will provide a more reliable and comfortable setting for this important occasion,” Reid Blackwell, WISD’s director of Communication, said by email. 

Blackwell said the district reviewed available venue options, including continuing to hold the ceremony at Kangaroo Stadium, before selecting Dickies Arena as the best fit.

“The primary benefits are that families will not have to worry about weather-related changes and the venue will provide increased seating capacity,” he said. “It offers indoor seating and other amenities that should make the ceremony more comfortable and accessible.”

While the post on the WISD Facebook page announcing the change was met largely by positive responses, some lamented that students won’t be able to “walk the field” and that fireworks won’t be set off to commemorate their accomplishment. Most, though, were happy to not have to contend with weather affecting the festivities and limiting the number of people who can attend due to capacity. 

Kangaroo Stadium has traditionally been the host of graduation but the ceremony was moved to the Fort Worth Convention Center for several years in the mid-to-late 2000s. After COVID, in 2020, WISD then brought it back to the stadium where it has been for the past six years. 

The main impact of this move is that families will need to travel to Fort Worth instead of having it located in the city and while the specific parking, arrival and event procedures haven’t yet been announced, WISD is “looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2027.”

“Families and members of Roo Nation are encouraged to save the date as we prepare to celebrate the Weatherford High School Class of 2027,” the release stated.

Cost for the arena was not immediately available.