This rendering shows the concept for the entrance of the Toyota Stadium addition.[/caption]

By 2017, the eyes of the nation will turn to Frisco with the relocation of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said.

FC Dallas has finalized plans with the U.S. Soccer Federation for Toyota stadium to house the hall of fame, making it the first national sports hall of fame to be attached to a stadium. The Major League Soccer club unveiled plans for the exhibit and other stadium improvements during an Oct. 14 press conference.

“[My family] grew up going to halls of fame and museums,” Dan Hunt said. “With dad as a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame class of 1982, it was not only important for us to return the hall to prominence but also share the story of soccer in America with the general public.”

Construction on the stadium additions and improvements will begin in early 2016. The hall of fame is expected to have a soft opening by December 2017.

The $39-million project will be located at the south end of the stadium and will feature more than 100,000 square feet of renovated space, including new locker rooms, additional premium seats, a private club and the hall of fame.

The 24,000-square-foot National Soccer Hall of Fame will be set on the top level of the three-level stadium addition. It will house an array of U.S. Soccer memorabilia and trophies, including the Women’s World Cup, Gold Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies. It will also be the permanent site for the annual National Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The new locker rooms and entrance tunnels on the south end of the stadium will accommodate football teams for Frisco ISD and NCAA championship games.

A new 5,000-seat amphitheater will also allow the stadium to host some smaller events, such as small concerts or corporate events. Dan Hunt said he would like to see events such as comedy shows and boxing matches hosted there.

“We’ve found this gigantic need from partners of ours, like Toyota,” Dan Hunt said. “They need venues that can seat 4,000-5,000 people so they can do corporate events there for their employees.”

The project is a public-private partnership between FC Dallas, the city of Frisco, Frisco ISD, the Frisco Economic Development Corp. and the Frisco Community Development Corp.

“We’re committed to Toyota Stadium, committed to the events held here,” Frisco Mayor Maher Maso said. “It really is about tourism and brand for Frisco and the fan experience.”

FC Dallas Chairman Clark Hunt said the stadium improvements will enhance the stadium’s ability to host world class events.

“We believe this hall of fame museum will become a bucket list destination for soccer fans all over the world,” he said.