Long Beach has officially entered its next chapter as a top destination for live entertainment, city leaders said as they broke ground on the temporary waterfront amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
With the Queen Mary and the coastline in the background, elected officials, along with partners, city commissioners and community members, celebrated the start of construction on the Long Beach Amphitheater.
The project, officials said, strives to redefine the city’s entertainment landscape and welcome musical talents and visitors from around the world for a robust lineup of major concerts and events, as well as community celebrations and private gatherings year-round.
“What this project is really about is recognizing what live music, what gathering, what experiences mean; these are the moments that we remember,” Mayor Rex Richardson said during the groundbreaking event. “Long Beach is building a place where those moments can happen here at home. The amphitheater represents direction to invest in our city’s future, to embrace our creative economy, and to shape how people experience Long Beach for generations to come.”
Operated by Legends Global, formerly known as ASM Global, the signature waterfront amphitheater will feature grandstands, floor and box seats, a pit configuration and VIP sections, as well as elevated food and beverage concessions.
Long Beach and the City Council have quickly made this revenue-generating venture possible by fast-tracking the project in the past 2.5 years. Most recently, the council approved increasing funds by $7.3 million for the project for improvements, pre-opening services, and furniture, fixture and equipment costs. City officials said these improvements will help improve guest and artist experiences and increase the revenue generated by the amphitheater.
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Renderings are displayed to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, marking mark a new chapter for the city’s Downtown Long Beach waterfront. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Bo Martinez, the city’s director of Economic Development & Opportunity, addresses guests during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Bo Martinez, the city’s director of Economic Development & Opportunity, addresses guests during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
First District Mary Zendejas delivers remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Rex Richardson, center, and city leaders celebrate the groundbreaking of the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, marking mark a new chapter for the city’s Downtown Long Beach waterfront. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A rendering of the view from the grandstands planned for the Long Beach Amphitheater, set to break ground in January 2026. (Photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach)
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Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
“This is a big investment for the city and a big investment for the community,” Director of Economic Development and Opportunity Bo Martinez said during the event. “This investment will generate jobs, generate revenue, drive visitors and drive tourism. It will support our local businesses, who you see here today, and, most importantly, it will position the city of Long Beach as a premier destination for live music and entertainment.”
The project is estimated to cost $21 million and will get a loan from the city’s tidelands fund, City Tom Modica said — but once opened, the amphitheater will begin paying for itself. So far, 25 events are projected to take place in the first season of the venue, and more than 40 events are anticipated by 2027.
Long Beach has already secured more than $11 million in sponsorships to date, ensuring more than half of the construction costs are secured through public-private partnerships, officials said. Supporting those efforts is the Port of Long Beach, which was announced as an official founding partner.
“The port and the city are deeply connected by this waterfront,” said Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “It’s where Long Beach’s economic strength, cultural identity and global reach intersect, and this amphitheater represents a new chapter in how shared space serves a community, expanding the waterfront beyond infrastructure to include gathering and celebration.”
By leveraging Long Beach’s rich musical and entertainment history, officials say they hope the project will support the city’s growing tourism sector, bolster and diversify city revenues and generate expanded economic opportunities.
“The project is about Long Beach stepping confidently into its next chapter,” First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “What we are building here today is more than a venue. It is a place where neighborhoods will gather, families will come together, young people will be inspired, and people from all over the world will come to enjoy the art, the culture, the music and the energy that only Long Beach knows how to give.”
There are also plans for a shuttle service, water taxi services and dedicated rideshare amenities to be implemented to enhance transportation options for attendees, including a partnership with Long Beach Transit, Martinez said.
The groundbreaking marks the start of site improvements at the future location of the amphitheater, such as resurfacing and upgrading existing asphalt areas, installing new storm drain infrastructure to support proper drainage, making upgrades to curbs and sidewalks, and more.
The Long Beach Amphitheater is expected to open its doors this summer, with a grand opening in June and its first two concerts scheduled for August and September by Mötley Crüe and TOTO.