The City of Long Beach, in collaboration with Legends Global, on Saturday, June 6, celebrated the grand opening of the new F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach, formerly Long Beach Amphitheater, marking a new era for the city’s Downtown waterfront. The venue welcomed 11,000 attendees for its inaugural sold-out concert, headlined by Long Beach native Snoop Dogg, who was presented with a Key to the City by Mayor Rex Richardson at the concert.

“The new F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach marked a cultural milestone decades in the making—a celebration of Long Beach music, creativity, community and the artists who helped put this city on the map,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The opening concert became even more meaningful as we presented Long Beach’s most influential son, Snoop Dogg, with the Key to the City. From the Eastside to the world stage, Snoop’s journey reflects the creativity, confidence and originality of Long Beach, and his legacy continues to inspire generations while never forgetting home.”

 Framed by panoramic views of the Long Beach skyline and situated near the iconic Queen Mary and Harry Bridges Memorial Park, the venue serves as the largest waterfront amphitheater on the west coast and is expected to host up to 40 large-scale events annually. The venue will redefine Long Beach’s entertainment landscape, welcoming musical talents and visitors from around the globe for a robust lineup of major concerts and events, community celebrations and private gatherings year-round. The venue offers a unique guest experience from start to finish, bringing luxury to an open-air atmosphere through exclusive VIP lounges, premium viewing areas, in-seat wait service, a dedicated VIP entrance and more. As part of the City’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and sustainability, a variety of eco-friendly transportation options have been implemented for attendees.

The venue’s debut coincided with the 94th Annual Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors, bringing municipal leaders from across the nation to the city for the first time to experience this historic moment.

“The F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach represents years of vision, planning and collaboration to bring something truly special and meaningful to the Long Beach waterfront,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “What we have built here is more than a venue. It is a place where neighbors will gather, families will come together, youth will be inspired and people from all around the world will come to enjoy the arts, culture, music and energy.”

The $21.3 million project is being 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 venue is expected to generate $2.5 to $3 million in net operating income annually, without reliance on taxpayer funding. 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.

“This amphitheater embodies the kind of forward-looking investment that helps shape a city’s future. The new venue strengthens our waterfront, enhances Long Beach’s cultural and entertainment landscape and contributes to the long- term vitality of our community,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “The enthusiasm surrounding the recent opening reflects the impact this venue will have for years to come as an asset that supports economic activity, community pride and the continued evolution of Long Beach.”

Legends Global will be responsible for providing a full range of services for the new 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. Legends Global operates more than 450 venues worldwide, including 13 amphitheaters that seat 5,000 to 20,000 guests. The company oversees 20,000 live events at its venues, welcoming over 165 million guests annually.

“Opening F&M Bank Amphitheater with Snoop Dogg was everything we envisioned and more,” said General Manager of F&M Bank Amphitheater for Legends Global Tra Jones. “We set out to create something that truly honors Long Beach—its culture, its creativity and its people—and Saturday night proved we are on exactly the right path. What this team delivered was exceptional at every turn, and we are proud to open our doors as a venue worthy of this city and the world-class artists who call it home.”

Musical acts already confirmed for later this year include performances by Primus, Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade and The Claypool Lennon Delirium; Ice Cube, Warren G and Scarface; Lil Wayne with 2 Chainz and The Game; TOTO, Christopher Cross and The Romantics; Luke Bryan; Nas and The Roots; Miguel and Big Sean; Five Finger Death Punch with Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire; Mötley Crüe with Tesla and Extreme; and many more.

To learn more about the project and related waterfront development activity in Long Beach, those interested can visit longbeach.gov/waterfront. For full event details and additional information, the public can visit fmbamp.com.