The Long Beach City Council unanimously agreed to proceed with plans for the city’s first amphitheater, set to be managed by Legends / ASM Global. The Tuesday decision ushers forward a $14 million investment toward the new open-air venue located on the waterfront, as reported by the City of Long Beach website. Besides hiring Legends / ASM Global for the venue's operations, the allocated funds will also cover the amphitheater’s design and development stages.
Mayor Rex Richardson heralded the venue, saying, "Today marks another significant milestone in bringing the new Long Beach Amphitheater to life. This is a pivotal step forward in the transformation of our city into a renowned destination for residents and visitors worldwide." The amphitheater is pitched to quickly become the second-largest outdoor amphitheater in Los Angeles County, offering an array of up to 40 large-scale concerts and events each year. Besides its musical attractions, the facility plans to include seating arrangements for up to 12,000 attendees, food and beverage options, and provisions for enhanced transportation options, including shuttles and rideshare amenities.
According to the City’s Economic Development Department, the selection of Legends / ASM Global as the venue manager follows an intense bidding process initiated in August 2024, with a total of six proposals received. "Legends / ASM Global, which operates 13 similar facilities nationwide, including the Greek Theater, will be responsible for providing a full range of services for the facility for an initial five-year period," detailed the City of Long Beach communication. Their scope of services includes managing daily operations, event booking, guest experience, food and beverage, and capital planning.
Bo Martinez, the Director of the Long Beach Economic Development Department, expressed optimism about the project's impact, stating, "The new amphitheater will further position Long Beach as the Next Great International City and is a bold statement about our future as a leading entertainment and cultural hub." The project is expected to significantly boost the local economy by creating jobs and new opportunities for small businesses to thrive on the increased foot traffic. Additionally, a portion of the profits will be channeled back to the city, including earnings from ticket sales, concessions, and naming rights.
As outlined, the project will be funded by the City’s Tidelands Area Fund Group, with a meticulous layout of costs for development, site improvements such as parking and infrastructure, and fixture and equipment costs. "These are restricted funds that can only be used for development and services on the coast and cannot, by law, be used for other municipal services or projects," clarified Legends / ASM Global Executive Vice President of Convention Centers Dan Hoffend in their statement published by the City of Long Beach. Hoffend emphasized the value of the partnership in uplifting Long Beach's legacy of hosting top-tier events. Construction is slated to begin in the summer, with the venue expected to accommodate its first full season of concerts in 2026.
