{"id":136492,"date":"2026-01-16T18:25:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T18:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/136492\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T18:25:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T18:25:10","slug":"long-beach-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-its-new-amphitheater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/136492\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Beach celebrates groundbreaking of its new amphitheater"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"City<\/a>The\u00a0City of Long Beach<\/a>, in collaboration with\u00a0Legends Global<\/a>, today celebrated the groundbreaking of the\u00a0Long Beach Amphitheater<\/a>, a transformative project that will mark a new chapter for the city\u2019s Downtown waterfront. The venue will redefine Long Beach\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cDevelopment of the new amphitheater represents a powerful step forward in shaping Long Beach\u2019s future as a global destination for arts, entertainment and economic opportunity,\u201d said Mayor Rex Richardson. \u201cServing as a centerpiece of our Downtown waterfront, this investment will drive tourism, support local businesses and bring our community together through shared cultural experiences \u2014 further reinforcing our commitment to thoughtful growth and solidifying Long Beach as a premier city for live entertainment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

To be situated near the\u00a0Queen Mary<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Harry Bridges Memorial Park<\/a>, 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\u2019s commitment to enhancing accessibility and sustainability, plans for a shuttle service and dedicated rideshare amenities will be implemented to enhance transportation options for attendees.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Long Beach Amphitheater is a forward-thinking investment in our city\u2019s future, with the potential to generate meaningful, sustainable economic opportunity that directly benefits our community for years to come,\u201d said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. \u201cThis iconic venue will create something truly special for Long Beach, energizing our local economy and elevating the city\u2019s profile to attract visitors from across the region and beyond.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The $21 million project will be funded by the City\u2019s Tidelands Funds Group. These expenses will be repaid to the Tidelands Funds through the venue\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project signals a defining new chapter for Long Beach and our responsibility to plan boldly and intentionally for what comes next,\u201d said City Manager Tom Modica. \u201cIt is about building an asset that enhances our waterfront, strengthens our city\u2019s 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\u2019s future and deliver enduring value for our community.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The venue and its proposed management model are key components of the City\u2019s broader effort to position itself as a top-tier music, entertainment and tourism destination, an initiative outlined in the Mayor\u2019s and City Council\u2019s Grow Long Beach Initiative and central to the City\u2019s upcoming Entertainment Strategic Plan. By leveraging Long Beach\u2019s rich musical and entertainment history, the project will support the city\u2019s growing tourism sector, help to bolster and diversify city revenues and create expanded economic opportunities for local, small businesses benefiting from increased visitor traffic.\n<\/p>\n

Announced at today\u2019s event, the\u00a0Port of Long Beach<\/a>\u00a0will serve as the amphitheater\u2019s first founding sponsor, providing $650,000 in annual funding over a five-year term to support venue branding, marketing, community engagement, activations and more.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen you bring the right partners together, magic happens \u2014 and, in this case, music happens,\u201d said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. \u201cWe\u2019re happy to collaborate with the City and Legends Global, and look forward to seeing the amphitheater come to life this year.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

In April 2025, the City\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0the selection of Legends Global for the operation and management of the venue following a competitive request for proposal process led by the City\u2019s\u00a0Department of Economic Development & Opportunity<\/a>\u00a0in collaboration with the\u00a0Office of Special Events and Filming<\/a>. 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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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\u2019s energy and feels authentically Long Beach,\u201d said Executive Vice President of North American Venues, Legends Global Dan Hoffend. \u201cLong Beach has a rich history in live entertainment, and we expect this venue to build on that legacy by bringing together today\u2019s top artists and tomorrow\u2019s rising stars to create unforgettable moments on the waterfront.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Musical acts already confirmed for August and September 2026 include iconic rock band\u00a0M\u00f6tley Cr\u00fce<\/a>\u00a0with special guests Tesla & Extreme; Grammy award-winning band\u00a0TOTO<\/a>\u00a0with special guests; Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy award-winning musician\u00a0Christopher Cross<\/a>; Detroit-based rock band\u00a0The Romantics<\/a>; and heavy metal band\u00a0Five Finger Death Punch<\/a>\u00a0with special guests Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire.\n<\/p>\n

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\u00a0longbeach.gov\/waterfront<\/a>. For booking and ticket information, the public can visit\u00a0longbeachamp.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

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.\n<\/p>\n

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit\u00a0longbeach.gov\/<\/a>. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news:\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0YouTube<\/a>.\u00a0For more information about the Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, visit\u00a0longbeach.gov\/edo<\/a>, follow on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the\u00a0City\u2019s Business Brief<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

About Legends Global
Legends Global is the premier partner to the world\u2019s greatest live events, venues, and brands.\u00a0\u00a0We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services, including feasibility & consulting, owner\u2019s 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.\u00a0\u00a0To learn more, visit us at\u00a0LegendsGlobal.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n