As summer concerts arrive, Tampa’s outdoor amphitheater still needs a roof

At the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, summer concert season is heating up — literally.

Nearly two years after Hurricane Milton shredded the roof off the Tampa concert venue, music fans are left sweltering without a cover.

After the venue’s first summer show, a Pitbull concert in May, fans wondered why the amphitheater still didn’t have a roof — and how much longer they would have to wait for some shade.

Here’s what to know before buying tickets to your next show.

Why is the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre missing its roof?

The venue opened as the Ford Amphitheatre in 2004. It boasted a 135,000-square-foot roof made of PVC tensile membrane that covered about 10,000 seats. The Citrus County group that developed the roof even worked with NASA on the design.

The structure was replaced in 2017. It got a new protective covering in 2020, according to a Live Nation spokesperson.

During the same hurricane that tore apart the fiberglass roof of Tropicana Field, winds walloped MidFlorida. Both the steel structure and its protective covering were damaged and had to be dismantled.

Why has replacing the roof taken so long?

The amphitheater started working on a replacement immediately after Hurricane Milton, with the intention to construct the new roof following the 2025 concert season so the structure could be ready for 2026.

The replacement roof will look similar to the old design, but should be more durable and easier to repair if future wind damage occurs.

Unforeseen circumstances, including supply shortages and construction delays, have pushed back the timeline. By the time the 2026 season wraps up on Nov. 14 with a Jimmy Eat World concert, the venue still won’t have a cover.

But Live Nation says it couldby the time the 2027 season kicks off in May.

Is the amphitheater doing anything to provide heat relief for concertgoers?

Before buying concert tickets to a MidFlorida show, you may see a pop-up that warns about the lack of a roof for the summer 2026 season.

To help fans stay comfortable in the meantime, the venue is giving out complimentary sunscreen and running cooling stations. Fans are also encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle to take advantage of free hydration stations throughout the venue.

Heading out to an outdoor show this summer? Prepare with these tips to prevent overheating.