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Smart Financial Centre

18111 Lexington Blvd,
Lexington Blvd
Sugar Land, TX 77479

Details

Overview
Smart Financial Centre (SFC) is Sugar Land’s premier indoor performance venue and one of the most successful mid-sized entertainment centers in the world. Officially opened on January 14, 2017, the Centre was designed to position Sugar Land as a cultural and entertainment destination while remaining financially self-sustaining. Its opening was marked by back-to-back performances from Jerry Seinfeld, setting the stage for a legacy of world-class programming.

Located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard, SFC hosts national music tours, comedy acts, theatrical productions, family shows, and cultural events—drawing regional audiences year-round.

Fast Facts

  • Broke Ground: December 9, 2014
  • Opened: January 14, 2017
  • Size: 200,000 square feet
  • Seating: Configurable from 1,900 to 6,400
  • 14 luxury suites, 2,500 parking spaces, and space for up to 18 buses/trucks
  • Owned by the City of Sugar Land; managed by ATG Entertainment
  • Built as a public-private partnership with ACE Sugar Land, LLC
  • Designed with moveable walls for flexible capacity and equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and video systems

Recognition & Impact

  • Ranked 7th globally for ticket sales in venues under 10,000 seats (Pollstar 2019)
  • Named Houston’s Hottest Music Venue (Houston Press, 2018)
  • Voted Best of Houston® Large Venue in 2019 and 2020
  • Supports economic development through job creation, capital investment, tourism, and increased cultural access

Funding Structure
The project was fully funded using restricted funding sources—no general sales tax or property tax dollars were used. Funding included:

Main Facility – Total: $91.45 million

  • $46M – Sales tax revenue bonds (Sugar Land Development Corporation – SLDC)
  • $450K – SLDC cash
  • $8M – Certificates of Obligation (repaid by Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues)
  • $27M – Taxable Certificates of Obligation (repaid by lease revenues)
  • $10M – Private equity contribution from ACE Sugar Land, LLC

Plaza, Marquee & Parking – Total: $9M

  • $2.815M – HOT cash
  • $3.185M – SLDC cash
  • $3M – Certificates of Obligation

Innovative Programming & Activation
In January 2024, ATG introduced VSL at Sweet Shoppe, a 750-square-foot activation in the Centre’s main lobby. This space features an interactive selfie station and digital kiosk that educates visitors about Sugar Land’s cultural and entertainment offerings—enhancing the guest experience and promoting local tourism.

Why It Matters
Smart Financial Centre has redefined Sugar Land’s cultural landscape. Its award-winning design, flexible capacity, and public-private funding model make it a benchmark for destination development. More than a performance venue, SFC represents Sugar Land’s long-term investment in placemaking, quality of life, and economic growth.