The development of Long Beach’s waterfront amphitheater made strides this week as the City Council unanimously approved the operator for the new facility on Tuesday, April 1.

With unanimous approval, ASM Global and Legends will be the operator and management for the city’s first-ever amphitheater, dubbed the Long Beach Bowl. The venue will be the second-largest outdoor amphitheater in Los Angeles County, officials said, situated on the Long Beach waterfront adjacent to the Queen Mary.

City officials said they anticipate this project would help create a new revenue-generating opportunity for the city. Alongside the city’s special events parks and the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, the amphitheater would help position Long Beach as a premier music destination, according to a staff report.

On Tuesday, the council also approved $14 million in funding for the design and development of the temporary venue. The Long Beach Bowl would only be temporary and operate initially under a five-year term, with possible extensions after that, while the city explores creating a permanent amphitheater.

“Today marks another significant milestone in bringing the new Long Beach Amphitheater to life,” Mayor Rex Richardson, who shared a first look at the amphitheater’s design and the operator during this year’s State of the City Address, said in a statement.

“This is a pivotal step forward in the transformation of our city into a renowned destination for residents and visitors worldwide,” Richardson said. “Set against the backdrop of the vibrant Downtown waterfront, the new amphitheater will be an investment in our community, fostering shared experiences, elevating culture and arts, and solidifying Long Beach as a hub for live entertainment.”

The temporary amphitheater would encompass about 5-6 acres along Queens Highway, adjacent to the Queen Mary and Harry Bridges Memorial Park. It would be expected to host up to 40 events annually and feature seating for up to 12,000 people – including floor and box seats, as well as a pit configuration, VIP sections, food and beverage concessions and more, officials said.

As part of the city’s efforts to enhance accessibility and sustainability, plans for a shuttle service and dedicated rideshare amenities will be implemented to enhance transportation options for attendees, said Johnny Vallejo, deputy director of the Economic Development Department.

“The new amphitheater is a game-changer for Long Beach, bringing unparalleled opportunities for our community to come together and celebrate the arts,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said in a statement. “This vibrant new venue will not only showcase incredible talent but also create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike. I am confident that this space will serve as a catalyst for continued growth, cultural enrichment, and community pride in our great city.”

The Economic Development Department, in collaboration with the Office of Special Events and Filming, issued a request for proposals in August to identify a qualified firm to provide management and related services for the large-scale, waterfront music venue, creating a new revenue-generating opportunity for Long Beach.

The city received six proposals and recommended ASM Global/Legends following a competitive selection process, which currently operates the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, as well as more than 100 venues worldwide that are similar to what the Long Beach Bowl would be, including the Greek Theater – Vallejo said.

ASM Global, now with council approval, will be responsible for providing a full range of services for the 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.

The temporary amphitheater 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 hub, and initiative outlined in the city’s Grow Long Beach Initiative and central to the city’s upcoming Entertainment Strategic Plan, officials said.

By leveraging Long Beach’s rich musical and entertainment history, the project will support the city’s tourism sector, help to bolster Tideland’s revenue, and create economic opportunities for small local businesses benefiting from increased visitor traffic, according to the staff report.

As part of the agreement with ASM Global, a portion of operating profits for the amphitheater will be paid to the city – including ticket sales, revenue from concessions and a percentage of the sales of the naming rights or sponsorships at the amphitheater, according to the staff report.

The project is expected, conservatively, to generate a net operational income of $12 million over the next five years, said City Manager Tom Modica. Adding in total potential tax revenue, net operating profit and parking revenue, the project could potentially generate $29 million over the next five years and $61 million over 10 years.

The $14 million project will be funded by the city’s Tidelands Area Fund Group, including design, permitting, engineering, project management services, infrastructure and site improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment costs, which will be offset primarily by the venue’s future net operating profit.

Of this cost, an estimated $10 million is required to develop the amphitheater and $4 million is required for parking lot and other site improvements, many of which are essential to maintain public accessibility and maximize the use of the Queen Mary site. 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, Modica said.

The amphitheater project and its operator, ASM Global, received large support from the Long Beach business, tourism, and arts sectors, with support from the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Long Beach Alliance, and Arts Council for Long Beach, among others.

“This is going to set yet another bar for us in addition to the Convention Center, in addition to the Arena, but not an outdoor theater, so we can expand further our reach,” said Steve Goodling, president and CEO of Visit Long Beach during public comment.

Some concerns came from Long Beach Convention Center workers, who are negotiating a contract to increase wages with ASM Global, asking the city council to ensure that union workers at the city-owned facility uphold the highest labor standards.

The mayor assured that the amphitheater project would create “good-paying, local union jobs both in construction and long-term jobs in the operation of the facility.”

The Long Beach City Council unanimously voted 9-0 to approve ASM Global/Legends as operator and management of the Long Beach amphitheater, and $14 million in tideland funds for the project.

“As this project progresses, there are going to be other updates,” Modica said. “This is just the funding and the award of the agreement, then we really get into the project details, including the environmental clearance, the permitting through the Harbor Department, and there will be multiple other steps as we move quickly through the summer and get under construction.”

Construction of the amphitheater is expected to begin this summer, officials said. Build-out of the project is expected by the end of the year, with completion of the venue slated to accommodate a full 2026 concert schedule.