Groundbreaking of New Long Beach Amphitheater

To be situated near the Queen Mary and Harry Bridges Memorial Park, 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’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and sustainability, plans for a shuttle service and dedicated rideshare amenities will be implemented to enhance transportation options for attendees.

The $21 million project will be funded by the City’s Tidelands Funds Group. These expenses will be repaid to the Tidelands Funds through the venue’s 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.

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

Announced at today’s event, the Port of Long Beach will serve as the amphitheater’s first founding sponsor, providing $650,000 in annual funding over a five-year term to support venue branding, marketing, community engagement, activations and more.

Musical acts already confirmed for August and September 2026 include iconic rock band Mötley Crüe with special guests Tesla & Extreme; Grammy award-winning band TOTO with special guests; Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy award-winning musician Christopher Cross; Detroit-based rock band The Romantics; and heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch with special guests Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire.

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 longbeach.gov/waterfront.