Economic Development

Amphitheater Project Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is the City developing an amphitheater?

  The City is focused on diversifying its economy, strengthening existing sectors and creating new revenue streams to offset declining oil revenue. Through the Grow Long Beach Initiative, music, entertainment, and tourism have been identified as key growth areas. As part of this effort, the City is developing a new amphitheater to generate new revenue. Additionally, the City is working on an Entertainment Strategic Plan and has established a new Revenue Innovation and Strategic Enhancements Division in the Economic Development Department to support these activities.

• How much will it cost to develop the amphitheater?

  The initial site improvements, aimed at enhancing safety, access, and the visitor experience, are expected to cost up to $4 million. These upgrades are required regardless of the amphitheater project. The estimated cost to develop the amphitheater itself is $10 million.

• How is the City paying for the amphitheater? Will it issue debt?

  The City will not issue debt to fund the project. Instead, it will use available funds from the Tidelands Funds Group, which currently has sufficient resources to cover the project’s costs. These expenses will be repaid to the Tidelands Funds through the venue’s projected net operating profit. This approach eliminates the need for the City to incur debt and avoids interest payments on issued debt.

• Why aren’t these funds being used for other essential City services?

  Unlike the City’s General Fund, Tidelands Funds can only be used within the Tidelands area. Therefore, they cannot be used for citywide services like police and fire protection, street maintenance, or homelessness programs. That said, the project is expected to generate additional tax revenue to the City which can fund citywide services.

• How will the City recover the costs of developing an amphitheater?

  The costs of developing an amphitheater will be reimbursed primarily through the venue’s net operating profit. Net profit is substantially supported by food and beverage revenue and ticket sales. The investment payoff period is estimated at three to five years. 

• What are the potential economic benefits of developing an amphitheater?

  The amphitheater presents a unique revenue-generating opportunity for the City in the Tidelands area. It will also provide additional economic benefits through increased sales tax, transient occupancy tax, and parking revenue. Local businesses, hotels, and City-owned parking facilities are expected to see a boost from the spending by  amphitheater attendees. Once the initial capital expense to develop the amphitheater is paid off, the project is expected to generate net revenue as part of the City’s strategy to offset declining oil revenue. These funds may be used to support ongoing improvements at the Queen Mary site, including ship maintenance, revenue-generating projects, overall site development, and address critical operating needs in the Tidelands. 

  Revenue generated at the site must be used exclusively for Tidelands purposes. However, the project is also expected to drive indirect tax revenue growth from increased visitor spending at hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments throughout the City, which can be used for any General Fund purpose that may be used to continue to deliver city services throughout the community.

• Who will own the amphitheater?

  The City will oversee the development and retain ownership of the amphitheater.

• Who will operate the amphitheater?

  The City selected Legends/ASM Global to operate the amphitheater. Legends/ASM Global will be responsible for three major categories of responsibility under the Amphitheater Operator Agreement. Initially, they will provide pre-opening services which will include contributing to pre-construction design review, operational and business planning, sales and marketing and event booking. Once the venue is complete, Legends/ASM Global will transition to amphitheater management, which includes financial management services, marketing, selling naming rights and sponsorships, event booking, guest services, event management, facility maintenance, and capital planning. Legends/ASM Global will also provide food and beverage services, supported by their affiliated company SAVOR. SAVOR will provide a full range of services including concession operations, premium hospitality services, catering, and management of third-party food and beverage venders.

  Legends/ASM Global is a leading global venue and live experiences company. The company operates and invests in some of the world’s most important stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters. Legends/ASM Global manages 13 outdoor amphitheaters including The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California. Legends/ASM Global also operates the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. The company conducts over 20,000 live events annually, across sports, music, and entertainment, at over 400 venues, serving over 160 million guests worldwide. 

• Why is the amphitheater temporary and not permanent?

  The City conducted a market analysis before moving forward with the development of an amphitheater. The analysis identified an immediate opportunity to create a new outdoor music venue with a capacity of 10,000 to 12,000, addressing a gap in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. In parallel, the City is engaged in long-term planning to explore future development and design opportunities for Downtown Long Beach and the Queensway Highway area. To enter the amphitheater market more quickly and cost-effectively, the City opted to develop a temporary amphitheater. This approach allows for an earlier market entry while assessing the potential return on investment of a permanent venue as broader planning efforts continue.

• Provide a description of how the amphitheater will be designed and constructed as a temporary venue.

  The amphitheater will be developed as a modular, temporary venue that is designed to look and feel like a permanent structure. This approach allows for quick installation and the flexibility to dismantle or relocate the venue as needed. This temporary venue represents the first phase of the amphitheater project, serving as an interim solution while the City continues to plan for a more permanent, long-term facility.

• Will the City lease the amphitheater property and venue to the operator?

  No, Legends/ASM Global will operate the amphitheater and the City will retain control of the site. It was important for the City to retain the ability to coordinate activities and respond to impacts across the Queen Mary campus. 

• Will paying for an amphitheater impact other approved City projects in the Tidelands?

  No. The amphitheater’s capital costs are not being borrowed from any specific Tidelands project. Instead, they are being drawn down from the existing Tidelands Funds cash balance. These funds will not be allocated to other Tidelands projects until after the amphitheater’s projected operating surpluses repay the upfront capital expenditure required to develop the amphitheater. 

• How will the City address traffic issues and improve circulation in the area?

  The City has extensive experience managing traffic for large crowds, as it already hosts major music festivals and events in the area. To further improve transportation and mobility options, the City will work with Legends/ASM Global and event promoters to implement shuttle services and establish a designated ride share drop-off and pick-up location to improve navigation for visitors. The City is also exploring opportunities for new directional signage and wayfinding to improve the visitor experience.

• How will the City address noise issues for the amphitheater?

  The amphitheater stage is being strategically positioned to direct noise away from Downtown Long Beach residences and businesses. The City will work closely with Legends/ASM Global to address any noise concerns that may arise. While the area already hosts large music festivals, the amphitheater will introduce a more consistent concert schedule. The City recognizes residents’ concerns and is committed to exploring measures to minimize potential impacts.

• Will the amphitheater be developed on all or a portion of Harry Bridges Memorial Park?

  The amphitheater will not include Harry Bridges Memorial Park, which will remain open to the public except during permitted special events.  

• When will the amphitheater open?

  The amphitheater’s first concert season is anticipated to begin in spring 2026.

• Will the amphitheater use union labor?

  The following aspects of the amphitheater project are expected to fall under the City’s Project Labor Agreement:

  • Parking lot improvements
  • Grandstand installation
  • Seating installation
  • Fencing and shade structure installation
  • Electrical engineering and wiring

  Union labor will also be employed for concert and event operations, including stagehands, electrical and lighting work, and engineering. Additionally, an existing agreement between Legends/ASM Global and Unite Here Local 11 requires that food and beverage concession work at the amphitheater be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.