City Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Long Beach Amphitheater

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PRESS RELEASE

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Above from left: City and Port of Long Beach officials and representatives from Legends Global commemorate the groundbreaking of the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026; proposed rendering of the Long Beach Amphitheater, which will serve as the largest waterfront amphitheater on the west coast.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach, in collaboration with Legends Global, today celebrated the groundbreaking of the Long Beach Amphitheater, a transformative project that will mark a new chapter for the city's Downtown waterfront. The venue will redefine Long Beach's entertainment landscape, welcoming musical talents and visitors from around the globe for a robust lineup of major concerts and events, community celebrations and private gatherings year-round.

"Development of the new amphitheater represents a powerful step forward in shaping Long Beach's future as a global destination for arts, entertainment and economic opportunity," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Serving as a centerpiece of our Downtown waterfront, this investment will drive tourism, support local businesses and bring our community together through shared cultural experiences - further reinforcing our commitment to thoughtful growth and solidifying Long Beach as a premier city for live entertainment."

To be situated near the Queen Mary and Harry Bridges Memorial Park, the venue will serve as the largest waterfront amphitheater on the west coast and is expected to host up to 40 concert-scale events annually. The project will feature grandstands, floor and box seats, a pit configuration and VIP sections, in addition to premium food and beverage concessions. As part of the City's commitment to enhancing accessibility and sustainability, plans for a shuttle service and dedicated rideshare amenities will be implemented to enhance transportation options for attendees.

"The Long Beach Amphitheater is a forward-thinking investment in our city's future, with the potential to generate meaningful, sustainable economic opportunity that directly benefits our community for years to come," said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. "This iconic venue will create something truly special for Long Beach, energizing our local economy and elevating the city's profile to attract visitors from across the region and beyond."

The $21 million project will be funded by the City's Tidelands Funds Group. These expenses will be repaid to the Tidelands Funds through the venue's projected net operating profit. Once operational, the amphitheater is expected to generate $2.5 to $3 million in net operating income annually, without reliance on taxpayer funding. The project will also generate additional economic impact, including tax revenue, parking revenue and new temporary and permanent jobs.

"This project signals a defining new chapter for Long Beach and our responsibility to plan boldly and intentionally for what comes next," said City Manager Tom Modica. "It is about building an asset that enhances our waterfront, strengthens our city's infrastructure for arts and entertainment and creates benefits that extend well beyond the venue itself. The excitement surrounding the amphitheater speaks to its potential to shape Long Beach's future and deliver enduring value for our community."

The venue and its proposed management model are key components of the City's broader effort to position itself as a top-tier music, entertainment and tourism destination, an initiative outlined in the Mayor's and City Council's Grow Long Beach Initiative and central to the City's upcoming Entertainment Strategic Plan. By leveraging Long Beach's rich musical and entertainment history, the project will support the city's growing tourism sector, help to bolster and diversify city revenues and create expanded economic opportunities for local, small businesses benefiting from increased visitor traffic.

Announced at today's event, the Port of Long Beach will serve as the amphitheater's first founding sponsor, providing $650,000 in annual funding over a five-year term to support venue branding, marketing, community engagement, activations and more.

"When you bring the right partners together, magic happens - and, in this case, music happens," said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. "We're happy to collaborate with the City and Legends Global, and look forward to seeing the amphitheater come to life this year."

In April 2025, the City announced the selection of Legends Global for the operation and management of the venue following a competitive request for proposal process led by the City's Department of Economic Development & Opportunity in collaboration with the Office of Special Events and Filming. Legends Global operates more than 450 venues worldwide, including 13 amphitheaters that seat 5,000 to 20,000 guests. At its venues, it oversees 20,000 live events that welcome over 165 million guests each year. Legends Global will be responsible for providing a full range of services for the new facility for an initial five-year period, including managing daily operations, sales, marketing, event booking, guest services, food and beverage services, facility management, capital planning and more.

"This amphitheater is the result of a true partnership with the City of Long Beach, built on a shared vision, trust, and a commitment to creating a landmark that reflects the community's energy and feels authentically Long Beach," said Executive Vice President of North American Venues, Legends Global Dan Hoffend. "Long Beach has a rich history in live entertainment, and we expect this venue to build on that legacy by bringing together today's top artists and tomorrow's rising stars to create unforgettable moments on the waterfront."

Musical acts already confirmed for August and September 2026 include iconic rock band Mötley Crüe with special guests Tesla & Extreme; Grammy award-winning band TOTO with special guests; Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy award-winning musician Christopher Cross; Detroit-based rock band The Romantics; and heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch with special guests Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire.

The Long Beach Amphitheater is set to open its doors in summer 2026. To learn more about the project and related waterfront development activity in Long Beach, those interested can visit longbeach.gov/waterfront. For booking and ticket information, the public can visit longbeachamp.com.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, visit longbeach.gov/edo, follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City's Business Brief.

About Legends Global
Legends Global is the premier partner to the world's greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services, including feasibility & consulting, owner's rep, sales, partnerships, venue management, hospitality, merchandise, and content & booking. Through our white-label approach, we keep our partners front and center while leveraging the power of our global network: over 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. To learn more, visit us at LegendsGlobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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